verb

grasp (something) tightly.

he stood clutching a microphone

grip,grasp,clasp,cling to,hang on to,clench,hold,reach for,snatch at,make a grab for,catch at,claw at,grab,seize,lay (one’s) hands on,get one’s hands on,grab/seize/take hold of

noun

a tight grasp.

she made a clutch at his body

adjective

(in sport) denoting or occurring at a critical situation in which the outcome of a game or competition is at stake.

they both are hard-nosed players who seem to thrive in clutch situations