View source for Bear hug

{{Short description|In wrestling, a hold and position}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2011}}
{{Infobox Grappling hold
|name           = Bear hug
|image          = bear hug.jpg
|image_size     = 200px
|alt            =
|caption        = Wrestler applying the bear hug hold from behind
|aka            = Bodylock
|parent_style   = [[Wrestling]]
|classification = [[Clinch hold]]
|parent_hold    =
|child_holds    =
}}
[[File:Chris Masters Bearhug.jpg|thumb|[[Chris Masters]] applying a bear hug from the front on [[Shawn Michaels]].]]
In wrestling, a '''bear hug''', also known as a '''bodylock''', is a [[grappling]] [[grappling hold#Clinch hold|clinch hold]] and [[grappling position#Stand-up grappling position|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 [[grappling position|dominant position]], with great control over the opponent, and also allows an easy [[takedown (grappling)|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 (bear)|Terrible Ted]], an actual {{convert|600|lb|adj=on}} [[bear]] which took part in wrestling exhibition matches in the US and Canada between 1950 and 1975.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}
== Other uses ==
"Bear hug" was a term used in the 1970s for extremely close dancing, which sometimes was called "[[Grinding (dance)|bump and grind]]".{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}
In [[business]], a "bear hug" is an unsolicited [[takeover]] bid which is so generous that the shareholders of the target company are very unlikely to refuse.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bearhug.asp|title=Bear Hug|date=19 November 2003|website=investopedia.com|access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref>
A "bear hug" is also known as an "[[Icebreaker (facilitation)|icebreaker game]]" in which an odd number of people are divided into pairs, leaving one member without a partner. All players sit down in a large circle, one partner in front of the other. The player without a partner calls 2–5 names, depending upon the size of the group, of players sitting in the front. Those players then try to make their way to the player without a partner, while their partners attempt to hold them back. The match ends when a player reaches the individual who called the names. Players who were called and failed to reach the caller switch places with their partner so they are now in the back. The game often involves injuries due to the violent struggles between partners.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}
The song "[[Summertime Clothes]]" (2009) from [[Animal Collective]] was originally known as "Bearhug".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=14352|title='Summertime Clothes ' by Animal Collective |website=Songfacts.com|access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref>
Bearhugs are also used outside the [[professional wrestling]] circuit to imply a close, tight hug.
== See also ==
* [[List of Punch-Out!! characters#Bear Hugger|Bear Hugger]], a Super ''Punch-Out!!'' character
* [[Collar-and-elbow position]]
* [[Collar tie#Double collar tie|Double collar tie]]
* [[Underhook#Double underhooks|Double underhooks]]
* [[Over–under position]]
* [[Pinch grip tie]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Grappling hold]]
[[Category:Wrestling]]
[[Category:Bears in popular culture]]