"Clutch" hold is probably yet another Americanism--relating to a "clutch"
purse, sometimes referred to as simply a "clutch."  It's a small (usually
dressy) strapless purse that you clutch (hold) between your upper arm and
your body while also holding the front of it with your hand.  Jackie Kennedy
(very fashion-conscious wife of former US President John Kennedy) probably
used them a lot in the 60s, but they're not quite so common anymore.

Although I see Coach Smith's point that professional football players don't
hold footballs under their arms and I agree that it would be nice to get
away from testosterone-related analogies, I think that there is value in
using "picturesque" terms for some things.  I think that when we paint a
picture with words, it may help a woman remember our suggestions better.
And it can definitely be helpful on the phone, where you don't have the
benefit of showing her an illustration or modeling with your doll/teddy
bear.  You just need to make sure that the picture you're painting is
something that will be familiar to the women in your area.

Nancy Jo Bykowski, LLLL in northern Illinois and new Managing Editor for New
Beginnings (LLL's magazine for members), who will now go back to lurking status.
Mother of three brilliant breastfed children--Emily (18), Noelle (10), and
Adam (6).
<[log in to unmask]>

At 12:01 AM 9/4/96, Joy wrote:

>I agree with Linda Smith, that the sooner we stop talking about 'football
>hold' the better. Here in Australia we have yet another type of football,
>Aussie Rules, and the ball is not held in this position at all. (If it was,
>the player would be penalised.) I suppose 'clutch hold' is a possibility,
>but this is one which was used in the IBLCE exam when I sat it and at the
>time I had never heard of it and didn't know what it meant, even after all
>those years of counselling mothers.