Was it awkward practicing the clinch the first time?

I’m having to wrap my wrists around the back of the dudes head and its just awkward as hell. got thru it tho, i think ill warm up to practicing with another person the more i do it. did anyone else feel this way.

side note, im really struggling with the front foot rotation on a rear leg roundhouse as well as the hip turn over, as well as well, everything. i can imagine doing them but i do one and forget the other. is this normal