Bear hug

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Bear hug
Wrestler applying the bear hug hold from behind
Classification	Clinch hold
Style	Wrestling
AKA	Bodylock

In wrestling, a bear hug, also known as a bodylock, is a grappling clinch hold 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.

A variation of the bear hug is the inverted bear hug, where one wrestler has his hands locked behind his opponent's mid or lower back and presses his forehead into their sternum, while pulling his locked hands inwards towards himself, forcing his opponent to bend backwards and fall. It is a painful move as much pressure is being exerted onto the opponent's sternum, often hurting the back bones and muscles as well as forcing air out of the lungs.

The move was used by Terrible Ted, an actual 600-pound (270 kg) bear which took part in wrestling exhibition matches in the US and Canada between 1950 and 1975.^{[citation needed]}