The Georgian Grip, often seen in judo and wrestling, is a unique gripping technique that allows you to control and off-balance your opponent. Known for its versatility, this grip can give BJJ practitioners a powerful tool to destabilize opponents and create effective openings for throws. By establishing an underhook grip on the back, it provides leverage and control that’s particularly effective for throws, making it a valuable addition to a BJJ practitioner’s toolkit.

To set up the Georgian Grip, begin by securing an underhook. This involves slipping one arm under your opponent’s armpit and then reaching across their back. With your free hand, grip your opponent’s belt, far side lapel, or lower back. The Georgian Grip allows you to manipulate your opponent’s center of gravity, opening up multiple options for throws or sweeps. Keep the grip tight and controlled, but avoid leaning too far forward, as staying balanced is key to executing effective throws.

The main advantage of the Georgian Grip is the leverage it provides. With one arm anchoring and the other pulling inward, you can create destabilization and pull your opponent off-balance, which helps position them for a throw. Shifting their weight onto a single leg or creating an imbalance opens the door to several effective throwing techniques.

A common approach is to pull your opponent toward you, creating the space needed for a throw. Tani-Otoshi, or Valley Drop, is a great option in this setup. With the Georgian Grip, draw your opponent in; as they shift their weight, step behind their legs, drop your hips, and guide them backward to the mat. Another option is Ura Nage, or Back Throw, a high-impact throw that requires a solid stance. In this move, use the Georgian Grip to pull your opponent close, pivot, and employ your hip as leverage to lift and throw them backward. For both techniques, it’s essential to maintain the grip and follow through with your movement to keep control during the throw.

After completing the throw, transition quickly into a dominant ground position, such as side control or mount, using the momentum generated by the throw. The Georgian Grip often places you in an advantageous spot on the mat, allowing seamless shifts into submissions or additional control grips.

This grip gives BJJ practitioners an edge by creating ideal angles for throws and sweeps, offering superior control over the opponent’s posture, and facilitating smooth transitions to dominant ground positions. Additionally, it restricts your opponent’s ability to defend or counter, especially when combined with solid weight distribution and timing.

Mastering the Georgian Grip and its applications can elevate your throwing game in BJJ. With practice, it provides a versatile grip to set up dynamic throws and secure powerful positions on the ground. The Georgian Grip is an excellent addition to any grappler’s skill set, blending the art of throws from judo and wrestling into an effective BJJ tool.

Sambo Master of Sport, Judo Black Belt, BJJ black belt and all around Grappling Bad-Ass: Vlad Koulikov shares one of his favorite setups for Sambo Throws and Judo Throws: The Georgian Grip.

Vlad shares his Sambo Fusion (Sambo, Judo, BJJ) techniques with TRITAC-Jitsu Co-Founders: Matt Bryers (BJJ Black Belt & Japanese Ju-Jitsu Black Belt) and Sean Jugler (Japanese Ju-Jitsu Black Belt).

Vlad shows the Ouchi Gari (judo technique) throw (inner reap trip), the Harai Goshi Judo Throw, Uchi Mata Judo Throw, and many other Judo / Sambo Throws.

Combat Sambo & Sambo Fusion shares many of the same principles, throws and grappling techniques as TRITAC-Jitsu. Vlad Koulikov is a wealth of knowledge on Combat Sambo, Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. Big thanks to Vlad for sharing!!

Also check out this Georgian Grip ‘Gadauli’ throw from BJJ purple belt and wrestler/Samboist Giorgi Razmadze.

He trains at Ludus team Russia.

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