Creating a Web: Introduction to Using Lapels

Jiu jitsu is a diverse martial art that has multiple styles of the way that you can play the game. Specialists dive head first down the rabbit hole of specific grips, positions, and styles that open up door after door of possibility. Throughout my journey so far, one of my favorite ways to play the game is utilizing the lapels as a way of control and as a weapon. Let’s take an introductory look on how we can use the gi, but more specifically the lapels, to create a web to entrap your opponent within. In this introduction, we will break down some of the basic uses of the lapel and some ways to apply the technique(s) into a practical setting. We will look at Attacking and Controlling Space.

Attacking

One of the most known uses of the lapel is to amplify the intensity of a choke. The lapel can act as a powerful tool that can form a tighter choke since it can be manipulated more easily than the collar. By using the lapels as your grip, you also relieve your fingers from additional stress that can be caused due to friction and style of grip needed within a collar/sleeve.

If you look below, you will see a Cross Collar Choke and a Cross Lapel Choke.

Cross Collar Choke

Cross Lapel Choke

You can see how the grips are virtually identical in nature aside from the use of the lapel vs. the collar. Understanding that the move itself hasn’t changed, you are instantly doubling the amount of attacking options that you have by factoring in the use of the lapel tails. Likewise, lapels can be used to set up some powerful sweeps. I like to view the sweep as an attack because it directly affects the opponent’s posture and base.Even if someone impedes the sweep, they usually sacrifice an area to be attacked through their defense. When you use the lapel to sweep you are increasing your lever and in turn a greater amount of force is produced to complete the kuzushi (off-balancing). 

In the video below you can see some mechanics being demonstrated to finish a sweep with the lapel tail.

Controlling Space

When the thought of controlling space comes to mind, what do you think of more: offense or defense? Typically the answer is defense, but it can just as easily be used offensively too. Think of controlling space also as a way to restrict your opponent’s movement and options, which can force them to react to your advantage. You can quite literally tie your opponent up with their own lapels to the point where the physically cannot defend and you still have a free hand to attack. Whereas defensively you can use them to create the space needed to escape a position or submission. A sneaky player uses the lapels discretely, yet you can be incredibly obvious with your lapel usage and still be successful. Just because an opponent can see and feel you using their lapel does not mean they can escape what is yet to come! With proper set up, the lapel can act as a pulley system that starts to twist your opponent out of alignment and reduce their overall mobility and power. The more you weave your opponent, the more restricted their movement becomes. This follows one of the basic concepts of jiu jitsu, isolation. Once the limb is isolated, you are ready to set up to attack.

Lapel usage is a way to “multiply your limbs” and make your opponent feel like they are defending against multiple attackers. The lapels can be used as a lasso or whip to perform all sorts of transitions and attacks, as well as defenses against the most traditional attacks. Take a look at the last video below to see some other options. Whether or not you take a liking to the lapel game, it is important to know what is happening in case someone else uses them against you. Be on the lookout for the next installments of ‘Creating the Web’ to talk about defending the lapel and different systems of attack. The lapel game has a lot to offer, but we have only just begun.