Alias · Folkstyle Controls
Claw Grip
Also known as Claw — the canonical term used on this site.
Training background: Full name
Full name — claw grip on the shoulder/scapula
Claw Grip is the full descriptive name for the claw — the folkstyle wrestling control in which the attacker grips the opponent’s shoulder or shoulder blade with a clawing hand configuration to limit rotation and break posture.
Etymology. “Claw grip” specifies the hand configuration: the fingers grip the shoulder or scapula like a claw, with the thumb providing the closing pressure. “Grip” attaches the controlling-hand category. The full name appears in folkstyle wrestling instructional material; the shortened “claw” is the more common spoken form.
Mechanics. The grip destabilises the opponent’s shoulder mobility by anchoring against the scapula — the bottom player cannot rotate the shoulder out from the grip without first breaking the connection.
Cross-reference. “Shoulder claw” and “scapula grip” are alternate names. Full mechanical coverage on Claw.