Double Collar Tie

What This Is

The double collar tie places both hands on the back of the opponent’s neck — one on each side, fingers overlapping or clasped at the back of the head. This bilateral grip on the neck creates maximum posture disruption potential: both hands can simultaneously pull the head down, angle it in any direction, or use the neck as a handle for the hip throw entry.

The double collar tie is most associated with the Muay Thai plum — the standing control position used to deliver knee strikes in combat sports — but in grappling it is the primary entry to the hip throw family (Mune-nage, O-goshi variants) and to the bilateral snap down. Both hands on the neck give a level of head control the single collar tie cannot match.

The position is inherently offensive — holding the double collar tie without acting gives the opponent time to establish underhooks and break the clinch. Like the single collar tie, the double collar is a launch position, not a holding position.

The Invariable in Action

The double collar tie amplifies INV-03 beyond the single collar tie. Two hands on the neck mean twice the postural leverage — the practitioner can pull the head down with full body weight via both arms simultaneously, a snap that very few opponents can resist with neck strength alone. The bilateral pull creates a bowing posture in which the opponent’s structural resistance is genuinely neutralised.

The double collar snap down drives the head toward the mat — destabilisation to hands (position of advantage) or, if the throw is executed cleanly, to hips (takedown). The hip throw from the double collar is a direct application of INV-ST03: the snap pulls the opponent into the throw, the hip extension takes them to their hips.

Entering This Position

From Single Collar Tie

The most direct entry. The single collar tie provides one hand at the neck — the free hand reaches to the back of the neck to establish the second grip. This is done off a moment of distraction (the opponent managing the single collar tie arm) or during a step that closes distance. See: Single Collar Tie.

From Over-Under Clinch — Snap Out

From the over-under, both hands slide up to the head simultaneously — releasing the underhook and overhook to reach for the bilateral head control. This is a fast conversion that uses the opponent’s forward clinch pressure to land both hands on the neck before they can defend. See: Over-Under Clinch.

Control Mechanics

Hand Placement

Both hands on the back of the head or neck — not the ears, not the jaw. Fingertips can overlap or one palm can rest on the other. The key is that both elbows point downward, creating downward pressure rather than lateral pressure. Elbows out to the sides reduce the snap power and allow the opponent to posture up.

Elbow Position

Both elbows point down and forward — not flared. The elbows create the snap force by driving down; if they are flared, the pull is only from the hands and lacks the leveraging power of the full arm.

Body Position

The practitioner’s body must stay upright — not bent at the waist — when holding the double collar. A bent-forward practitioner allows the opponent to underhook, which breaks the clinch control. The snap pulls the opponent toward the practitioner’s hips, not toward the mat.

From This Position

Double Snap Down to Front Headlock

Both hands pull the head down simultaneously — a powerful snap that drives the opponent’s face toward the mat. The opponent must post with their hands, creating the front headlock position. See: Standing Front Headlock.

Hip Throw Entry — Mune-nage

Pull the opponent’s head down and toward one side as the practitioner turns in — hip inside the opponent’s hip — and uses the neck control to rotate them over the hip fulcrum. The double collar provides the pull while the hip provides the pivot. See: Hip Throw Family.

Convert to Over-Under

If the snap and throw are defended, release one collar tie hand and slide it to underhook position while the other hand maintains collar tie control — transitioning to the over-under clinch. See: Over-Under Clinch.

Common Errors — and Why They Fail

Error: Flared elbows. Why it fails: INV-03. Elbows out reduce snap power to hand strength only. The opponent can posture up against a hand-only snap. Correction: Both elbows drive forward and down. The snap is a full-body action — hips drop slightly as the elbows drive down.

Error: Holding the double collar without acting. Why it fails: The opponent establishes underhooks from the double collar tie if the practitioner is passive. Both arms are occupied, and without immediate action, the opponent can duck under and establish inside position. Correction: The double collar is an immediate-action position. Establish the grip and snap or throw within the first second.

Error: Bending forward at the waist to reach the neck. Why it fails: Bending forward compromises the practitioner’s posture, creates the underhook opportunity for the opponent, and reduces the mechanical advantage of the snap. Correction: Reach forward with the arms while keeping the torso upright. The opponent’s posture is disrupted; the practitioner’s posture is maintained.

Drilling Notes

• Double collar to bilateral snap. From a neutral position, establish the double collar tie and immediately snap. Partner provides postural resistance and attempts to maintain upright posture. Count the snap quality — did the opponent’s chin go to their chest?
• Double collar to hip throw entry. Establish double collar, pull toward the hip side, step in with the hip. Cooperative first — the partner falls over the hip without resistance. Add resistance in the pull phase as proficiency develops. See: Hip Throw Family.
• Elbow position feedback. Partner checks elbow position as the snap is applied. Elbows in = pass. Elbows out = correction needed. This drill trains proprioception for the elbow position that generates snap force.

Ability Level Guidance

Also Known As

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