"Holds" - as control

[bluen]

One of my greatest grappling breakthroughs in grappling (and what pointed me in the direction of CACC) came as understanding that the double wristlock was not a (just) submission. It is a hold.

I can use it to obtain a submission, sure! More than that, though, it is a hold. A method of control. Just like a half nelson, I can use the DWL as a means of control. I can use it to turn over someone and obtain a pin, I can use it to get out from underneath, I can use it to reverse from the bottom.

I can use it to obtain a hip toss, to do an outside trip, to twist down, to do a kickover. With proper handfighting, I can break out of a rear control with it and move into any of those.

And of course, at any time, you can use it to attack the man's arm.

Has anyone else used this approach? Do you have any tips or tricks that works for you? And what catch holds other than the DWL have proven similarly useful?

[KJ Gould]

Yes! It's still used in amateur wrestling for this purpose, along with a Hammerlock and sometimes Top Wrist Lock. There's also tons of control possibilities obviously from the Nelsons but also Bar Arms, Chickenwings, waistlocks, chanceries and cross faces. Then there's all the additional leg rides that can go with them.

Using these to control and shut someone down is in my opinion the best approach to getting the best position for you personally (and we're all different with different preferences) and then look to finish. It can help prevent mad scrambles which can be taxing on the ol' Cardio especially if you're not in the lighter weight classes.

[bluen]

Yeah, ye Olde Cardio is my nemesis.

Are there any other holds that lend themselves well both to submission and control that anyone here favors? The DWL seems like the most effective and versatile, but I'm sure there are others.

I'm working on developing my front headlock as a submission platform (only ever used it as a means of turnover or shucking the arm to get to side ride), which seems to fit the recipe pretty well.