Overhook Control from top position, known universally as the whizzer in wrestling, represents one of the most dominant control mechanisms in grappling. When achieved from top position, the overhook serves primarily offensive purposes: setting up submissions, taking the back, advancing position, and neutralizing opponent’s defensive efforts. The control involves wrapping your arm over the opponent’s extended arm from above, sealing your armpit tightly over their shoulder, and maintaining close body positioning that prevents escape while creating immediate attacking opportunities.
The strategic power of top overhook stems from its ability to simultaneously accomplish multiple objectives within a single control position. First, it completely neutralizes the opponent’s controlled arm as an offensive or defensive tool, effectively reducing them to one-armed capability. Second, it elevates their arm above the optimal power generation angle, breaking their structure and posture. Third, it creates direct mechanical pathways to high-percentage submissions including Kimura locks, Darce chokes, and Anaconda chokes. Fourth, it provides clear avenues to back control through arm drags, crab rides, and crucifix entries.
Top overhook appears in countless high-level competition scenarios: countering underhook passing attempts, controlling turtle position, establishing dominance from front headlock, winning clinch exchanges, and maintaining control during scrambles. Modern competition grapplers have integrated the overhook into systematic approaches where the position serves as a central decision point. The clarity of the decision tree makes top overhook particularly valuable for building coherent offensive systems: when opponent pulls back, attack Kimura; when they drive forward, enter Darce or Anaconda; when they turn away, take the back or crucifix.
The transitional nature of top overhook distinguishes it from static control positions. High-level practitioners never hold the overhook for extended periods - they immediately begin working toward their next objective within 3-5 seconds of establishing control. This aggressive mindset transforms the overhook from a simple grip into a dynamic attacking platform that creates constant pressure and dilemmas for opponents. Understanding when to maintain the overhook versus when to transition from it represents essential tactical knowledge for competitive success across all skill levels and rule sets.
Position Definition
- Your arm wrapped over opponent’s arm from above with armpit sealed tightly over their shoulder, creating a vice-like connection with no gap between your armpit and their shoulder joint
- Your grip secured behind opponent’s back, around their shoulder, or in figure-four configuration with hands clasped together for maximum control and submission setup capability
- Opponent’s arm elevated and trapped at approximately shoulder height or above, preventing them from generating power, posting effectively, or establishing defensive structure
- Close body-to-body connection maintained with your hips positioned near opponent’s hips to prevent them from circling away, creating distance, or using footwork to escape
- Your weight distributed to reinforce the overhook control while maintaining mobility for transitions to submissions, back takes, or positional advancements
Prerequisites
- Opponent has extended arm reaching for underhook, posting on mat, attempting to push you away, or in compromised turtle position
- You have angle and space to wrap your arm over theirs from superior position
- Understanding of leverage principles and how to use overhook to break opponent’s structure systematically
- Ability to maintain tight connections while remaining mobile for rapid transitions to attacks
- Recognition of submission and back-take opportunities that overhook control creates in various positional contexts
Key Offensive Principles
- Armpit Seal Creates Control: Keep armpit sealed tightly over opponent’s shoulder with zero gap - the armpit connection creates the control more than the hand grip
- Upward and Backward Pressure: Constantly drive their arm upward and backward to break their structure, limit their mobility, and create submission opportunities
- Hip Connection Prevents Escape: Maintain close hip position to prevent opponent from circling away or creating the distance needed to escape the control
- Head Control Combination: Combine overhook with head control using free arm for complete upper body dominance and submission setup
- Attack Within Seconds: Treat overhook as transitional control leading to back takes or submissions within 3-5 seconds rather than static holding position
- Read Defensive Reactions: When opponent attempts to escape or adjust, immediately capitalize on their movement to enter appropriate submission or advancement
- Systematic Decision Tree: Follow clear if/else logic - pull back triggers Kimura, drive forward triggers front headlock chokes, turn away triggers back takes
Available Attacks
Kimura → Kimura Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Darce Choke → D’arce Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 60%
Anaconda Choke → Anaconda Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 55%
Arm Drag to Back → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 65%
Two-on-One to Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 28%
- Intermediate: 42%
- Advanced: 60%
Snap Down to Front Headlock → Front Headlock
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Crab Ride to Back → Crab Ride
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 22%
- Intermediate: 38%
- Advanced: 58%
Crucifix from Turtle → Crucifix
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 18%
- Intermediate: 32%
- Advanced: 50%
Transition to Mount → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 32%
- Intermediate: 48%
- Advanced: 64%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent’s posture is upright and they are trying to pull their arm back against your pressure:
- Execute Kimura → Kimura Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Two-on-One to Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 60%)
If opponent drops their weight forward and drives into you with pressure:
- Execute Darce Choke → D’arce Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Anaconda Choke → Anaconda Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent stands up or increases distance trying to escape the overhook:
- Execute Snap Down to Front Headlock → Front Headlock (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Arm Drag to Back → Back Control (Probability: 65%)
If opponent circles toward their trapped arm side attempting to create escape angle:
- Execute Arm Drag to Back → Back Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Crab Ride to Back → Crab Ride (Probability: 58%)
If opponent turns away from overhook or drops to turtle position to defend:
- Execute Crucifix from Turtle → Crucifix (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Crab Ride to Back → Crab Ride (Probability: 58%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Shortest path to submission
Overhook Control Top → Kimura Control → Kimura
High-percentage front headlock path
Overhook Control Top → Front Headlock → D'arce Control → Darce Choke
Wrestling-based submission path
Overhook Control Top → Snap Down to Front Headlock → Anaconda Control → Anaconda Choke
Back attack pathway
Overhook Control Top → Arm Drag to Back → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Crucifix pathway from turtle
Overhook Control Top → Crucifix from Turtle → Crucifix → Choke from Crucifix
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 30% | 42% | 25% |
| Intermediate | 50% | 58% | 40% |
| Advanced | 70% | 75% | 60% |
Average Time in Position: 5-15 seconds (transitional attacking position)
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The overhook from top position represents one of the most mechanically advantageous control positions in all of grappling because it simultaneously accomplishes three critical objectives: it neutralizes the opponent’s arm as an offensive weapon, it creates structural vulnerability in their upper body posture, and it provides direct pathways to high-percentage submissions and back takes. The key mechanical principle that students must understand is that the overhook’s power comes not from the hand grip but from the seal created between your armpit and their shoulder - this is where the true control originates. When properly executed, the overhook elevates the opponent’s arm above the optimal power generation angle of approximately 90 degrees at the shoulder joint, effectively removing it from the equation and reducing them to single-arm defensive capability. The decision tree from overhook is remarkably clear and systematic: if they pull back against pressure, attack the Kimura by converting to figure-four grip; if they drive forward seeking to escape, enter front headlock submissions including Darce and Anaconda variants; if they circle away, take the back through arm drag or two-on-one mechanics. This systematic approach transforms the overhook from a simple grip into a comprehensive offensive platform that creates consistent results across all skill levels and competitive contexts.
Gordon Ryan
I use the overhook primarily as a pathway to the Darce and arm triangle in no-gi competition, where it has become one of my most reliable submission entries. When someone shoots for an underhook and I get the whizzer, I’m immediately thinking about how to get my free arm around their neck for front headlock attacks. The overhook isolates their near arm, which is exactly what I need for Darce and Anaconda chokes to function properly. In the gi, the Kimura from overhook is money - people give you that arm when they’re desperate to fight for position or prevent passes. The key thing I’ve learned through competition is you can’t just hold the overhook passively - you have to attack within 3-5 seconds or they’ll find a way out through systematic grip breaking or positional adjustment. I’m constantly threatening the Kimura even when I actually want the Darce, because the Kimura threat makes them drive their head forward defensively, which sets up the front headlock perfectly. In high-level competition, the overhook has been one of my most reliable control positions because it works at every stage of the match - from the initial grip fight all the way through to finishing submissions. Most competitors don’t realize how vulnerable they are once you lock up a tight whizzer with proper mechanics.
Eddie Bravo
The whizzer is absolutely huge in the 10th Planet system, especially from turtle top and in our transition game from various positions. What people don’t realize is that the overhook creates a perfect pathway to the crucifix if you know how to use the proper rolling mechanics - when they’re defending the whizzer and trying to circle away, that’s when you can catch the far leg and enter the truck position for twister attacks. We also use the overhook to set up front headlock submissions extensively, particularly the Darce which has become one of our highest percentage submissions in competition. The overhook is like having one arm in a cage - they can’t really do anything effective with it, so now it’s a one-armed fight and you’re winning by default. From rubber guard transitions, we use overhook control concepts to set up the invisible collar and other 10th Planet specific attacks when we come up on top. The beauty of the whizzer is its versatility across all positions - it works standing in clinch exchanges, from turtle top for back takes, from half guard for passing, everywhere. One thing I really emphasize to my students is using the whizzer aggressively as an offensive weapon, not just defensively. Too many people think it’s just a defensive tool to prevent underhooks, but it’s actually one of the best offensive controls when you know how to chain attacks from it systematically. The moment you get that whizzer locked up tight with proper armpit seal, you should already be thinking about your next three moves in the sequence because that position is absolute gold.