The bear hug is a
grappling
Grappling is a fighting technique based on throws, trips, sweeps, clinch fighting, ground fighting and submission holds.
Grappling contests often involve takedowns and ground control, and may end when a contestant concedes defeat. Shou ...
maneuver often seen in sports, such as wrestling. It also exists outside sports, such as
street fighting,
martial arts personal defense, military
hand-to-hand combat
Hand-to-hand combat is a physical confrontation between two or more persons at short range (grappling distance or within the physical reach of a handheld weapon) that does not involve the use of ranged weapons.Hunsicker, A., ''Advanced Skills in ...
, and even affectionate hugging. Bear hugs can be dangerous or even deadly when done with maximum force, and so they are rare in sports, although the
simulacrum
A simulacrum (: simulacra or simulacrums, from Latin ''wikt:simulacrum#Latin, simulacrum'', meaning "likeness, semblance") is a representation or imitation of a person or thing. The word was first recorded in the English language in the late 16 ...
of a full-force bear hug is common in
professional wrestling
Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to Real life, real- ...
.
Sports
In the sport of
wrestling
Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves di ...
, a bear hug is a
grappling
Grappling is a fighting technique based on throws, trips, sweeps, clinch fighting, ground fighting and submission holds.
Grappling contests often involve takedowns and ground control, and may end when a contestant concedes defeat. Shou ...
clinch hold
A grappling hold, commonly referred to simply as a hold that in Japanese is referred to as ''katame-waza'' ( "grappling technique"), is any specific grappling, wrestling, judo, or other martial art grip that is applied to an opponent. Grappli ...
and
stand-up grappling position where the arms are wrapped around the opponent, either around the opponent's chest, midsection, or thighs, sometimes with one or both of the opponent's arms pinned to the opponent's body. The hands are locked around the opponent and the opponent is held tightly to the chest. The bear hug is a
dominant position, with great control over the opponent, and also allows an easy
takedown to the
back mount position.
The bear hug is a classic
submission move not widely seen anymore, when done for real with maximum effort.
Traditionally the hugger would apply the move and wait for the huggee to submit, or pass out. The ref would occasionally check the limpness of the huggee's arms before calling the match. The move was dangerous. The huggee can lose the ability to breathe long enough to cause injury or death. A strong enough hugger can break the huggee's lower rib cage, puncturing vital organs.
In the 1960s and 70s, the bear hug was the signature closing move of
Bruno Sammartino
Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino (October 6, 1935 – April 18, 2018) was an Italian-American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with the WWE, World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). Sammartin ...
who remained undefeated as World Heavyweight Championship for over 10 years. In the 1977 title match against
"Superstar" Billy Graham, in front a live audience, Superstar slowly stripped Sammartino's arms from around his waist, the first time anyone had seen it done.
A variation of the bear hug is the inverted bear hug, in which one wrestler spins the other upside down with head towards the floor and feet towards the ceiling, holding them in the middle as in a regular bear hug.
It was a trademark closing move of Canadian strongman
Doug Hepburn during the 1950s.
Non-sport
Outside the context of sports, bear hugging varies in reason and execution, defined by the sources who call it a bear hug. Examples include street fighting self-defense, military hand to hand combat, martial arts personal defense, and affectionate hugging.
See also
*
Bear Hugger, a Super ''Punch-Out!!'' character
*
Collar-and-elbow position
A collar-and-elbow hold is a grappling position#Stand-up grappling position, stand-up grappling position where both combatants have a collar tie, and hold the opponent's other arm at the elbow. Generally the opening move in professional wrestlin ...
*
Double collar tie
*
Double underhooks
*
Over–under position
*
Pinch grip tie
A pinch grip tie, or an over-under bodylock, is a clinch hold and stand-up grappling position that is an extension of the over-under position, but having both hands locked behind the opponents back. The hands are typically locked with a palm-to- ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bear Hug
Grappling hold
Wrestling
Bears in popular culture