English edit

 
An attacker using a figure four hold on a leg. The position of the attacker's arms are said to resemble the number '4'.

Etymology edit

figure +‎ four From creating a figure that is akin to the glyph "4"

Noun edit

figure four (plural figure fours)

  1. (combat sports) A grappling position where a fighter grabs an opponent's limb and then holds on to his or her own wrist with the other hand. Used in various joint locks.
  2. (climbing) Alternative form of figure 4

Further reading edit