A step by step guide on how to use the Georgian grip in Judo & Sambo

The Georgian grip is a specialist grip used in grappling that requires the gi jacket and specifically focuses on the belt. Here, the aim is to grab over the opponent’s back and grab their belt with your arm. The idea is to use the structure of your arm to break the posture of the opponent and force them into a passive position. As such, the Georgian grip is often associated with the O Soto Gari as it ties in nicely with the throw. It should also be noted that the Georgian grip isn’t a throw or move in isolation, instead it is a standalone grip that sets up various throws.

Historically speaking, the throw originates from the country of Georgia. As Georgia has a proud history of wrestling, the move eventually found its way into Sambo. Geographically speaking, as Georgia is close to Russia where Sambo originated, this makes sense. Since its introduction into Sambo it has gained further popularity and is now used in Judo too. In particular, Sambo expert Vlad Koulikov has helped popularize the Georgian grip as he has often favored it and speaks highly of its practical uses. Due to its use of the gi, it has also found its way into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu where it is used as a takedown entry.

What is the Georgian grip and how do you get the initial grip?

As mentioned, the Georgian grip is established after establishing your initial Judo grips. To do this, you must break the posture of the opponent which is imperative for the move. In grappling, there are several ways to break the posture of the opponent. For instance, in BJJ you could use a snap down to expose the neck of the opponent.

However, in Sambo and Judo, one method is to grab the elbow and drag the opponent forward. This is done by releasing your collar grip in anticipation of using this as the Georgian grip. With your elbow grip, you should force the opponent towards you and then use the original collar hand to grab over and grip onto the belt. This movement is similar to performing an arm or collar drag and uses speed to create a response.

From there, you can then grab over the shoulder of the opponent and latch on to their belt. This means your one hand would grip their elbow and on the same side, your other hand would grab their belt. In other words, you’d have a two-on-one type situation by controlling one side of the opponent’s body.

Another key feature of the grip is that you hold the belt with your palm down. The point of this is that it makes your elbow and arm mechanically stronger. This is quite important as if you grab with your palm facing up, then it just doesn’t work as well. The reason for this is that your arm and elbow isn’t as structurally sound and dominant with the palm up. Therefore, always remember to have the palm down whilst using the Georgian grip, otherwise the opponent can easily counter.

Controlling the opponent by using the Georgian grip

As previously mentioned, there are a couple of ways to get the grip. It should be noted, that this is not particularly easy, especially against a tough opponent who is wary of your intentions and knows the position well. Because of this, the Georgian grip is one of those positions that once achieved should turn the situation heavily in your favor. However, getting there in the first place is not always easy and takes a lot of practice.

The main benefit of the Georgian grip is the control that it offers over the opponent. Primarily it is used to control their posture and dominate the one side of their body. Due to the mechanics of the position, it makes it difficult for the opponent to use the other side of their body to try and defend. In short, it is a good method to isolating their body in your favor.

One major part of the Georgian grip is to use your elbow to force the opponent’s posture down. In short, your elbow should act as a gravitational weight on the back and neck. By doing this, it should force the opponent into a ducking position where they cannot posture back up. If your elbow is too loose and lacks weight, then the opponent can posture up. The main issue with the opponent being able to posture is that they can slip under your arm and get round to your back. If this is possible then obviously your positions change and now you are the one in danger. Due to this, keeping a strong, controlling elbow is vital when using the Georgian grip. With this in place correctly, your opponent should be trapped.

Throws from the Georgian grip

With the Georgian grip firmly set up, you have various attacking options. As mentioned, a common throw used is the O Soto Gari, as well as the O soto Gake. Unsurprisingly, these throws are similar and focus on reaping the leg whilst tripping the opponent backward. One issue with both of these throws is controlling the upper body of the opponent and trying to throw them. In short, if the opponent can posture up correctly then both throws can be difficult to pull off.

However, this is where the Georgian grip comes into its own. As the posture is already destroyed, such throws become far easier to pull off. By reaping the leg on the controlled side, the opponent should have limited options to defend or counter. There are other takedowns available from the Georgian grip such as Tomoe Nage variations, however for the most part the O Soto throws are the main attacks from the Georgian grip.

Put another way, imagine dividing the opponent into two parts. By using the Georgian grip, you have the benefit of weakening the side that is close to you. Because of the nature of which the posture is broken, their other side should have little use too. Imagine focusing on one side of the body with standard grips. Of course, you would over-exposure to the other side of your body. This is where the Georgian grip pays off as you can simultaneously control the one side without fear of getting countered on the other side of your body.

Using the Georgian grip on the ground

The bulk of this article is based on the Georgian grip whilst standing. Whilst this is the primary role of the Georgian grip, it can also be used whilst on the floor. This is mostly used as a sweep in BJJ whilst in the butterfly guard. The butterfly guard is a position whilst seated on the floor with your feet under the opponent. From here, you can grip their belt in the same way as you would standing. Again, this requires breaking their posture to begin with. From the butterfly-Georgian grip position, you can sweep the opponent to the side of the controlled arm.

Aside from sweeps, the Georgian grip can also set up submissions when in butterfly guard. Due to breaking posture, there are two main options from here. The first is to switch to a guillotine choke as the neck is exposed. The second is to kick your feet out and jump a leg over the back of the head. From here you can attack a triangle (sankaku) choke. As you have the belt grabbed, this effectively isolates the opponent’s arm and allows you to attack moves like triangles freely.

Is the Georgian grip legal?

The legality of the Georgian grip is often the source of confusion. It should be noted that in Sambo and BJJ, it is completely legal whatever way you look at it. However, the IJF is notoriously strict when it comes to restricting certain throws and grips in sport Judo. In short, the Georgian grip is legal in Judo (as of 2021) but you should be looking to throw the opponent with the grip immediately. You may get penalized for holding on to the grip for too long.

Funnily enough, the uke being thrown may also get penalized (shido) due to ducking. Even though they are intentionally not ducking, their body structure mimics ducking which you will have enforced on them with the grip. As usual, the competition rules in Judo often complicate things, but to make things brief, it’s best to imagine that the Georgian grip is legal in Judo for the most part.

Issues with the Georgian grip

As discussed, the Georgian grip is excellent when established. However, as also mentioned there are two main flaws. The first is actually setting it up. Whilst it has fantastic attacking options, it can be very difficult to set up. As a result, it may be better to focus on simple throws and entries to begin with.

Also, although the Georgian grip is fine – it has practical implications for smaller people. Generally, it is much easier to use if you are significantly taller than your opponent. Not only this but it helps to have long arms. The point of this is to use your long arms to grip over the back and reach the belt. Of course, this is made far more difficult if you are physically small and have short arms.

Lastly, it can have one major issue which is when your arm isn’t heavy enough. This can lead to major problems if the opponent manages to re-establish control and can start to counter with attacks of their own. Because of this, the Georgian grip is fine but isn’t ideal for beginners. Generally speaking, the best idea is to get a feel of grappling and gain experience before jumping into the Georgian grip as a beginner. Often in Judo and Sambo, you will naturally learn what grips and positions work and what doesn’t. After letting your body get used to grappling and certain holds, then is the time to commit to the Georgian grip.