This video provides a comprehensive guide to hand fighting techniques in wrestling, explaining its importance for advancing from high school to college level. It covers key concepts, various tie-ups, how to initiate and defend against them, and emphasizes the importance of drilling these techniques. The ultimate goal is to teach viewers how to effectively use hand fighting to gain advantageous tie-ups, set up attacks, and score points.
The video outlines seven main concepts of hand fighting:
The video explains that "hand fighting to your tie-up" is the first step in the sequence of hand fighting, setting up your offense. It's part of the broader concept of initiating contact and establishing control.
Specifically, the video details how to initiate contact to get to your tie-up:
The goal is to use these methods to gain an advantageous tie-up that you can then use to set up your attack.
| Tie-up | Description | Key Details & Techniques |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist Control | Securing the opponent's wrist. | Can be achieved by simply grabbing the wrist. Various grips are shown, including two hands on one wrist or one hand on each wrist (cross grip, though less common unless for a drag). Can also be obtained after clearing another tie. |
| Elbow Control | Grabbing the opponent's elbow or tricep area. | The technique involves grabbing the tricep, often just above the elbow. A key aspect is to pull yourself in towards the opponent. Be aware of "thumb blocks" from the opponent and aim to break or dislodge those thumbs. |
| Inside Tie | A tie where your hand and forearm are on the inside of the opponent's arm, typically in the armpit area. | Achieved by circling into the tie or using fakes to distract the opponent. Can also be initiated with a clubbing motion to push the opponent's head away before transitioning. The goal is to get your hand into the armpit, turn your elbow down, and drive your head into the pocket. |
| Underhook | Securing your arm around the opponent's back, under their armpit. | Achieved by placing your hand flat on the back of the opponent's closest shoulder, keeping your tricep tight to your lat. Can also be obtained after a clubbing motion, by shooting a shot (like a single leg) and coming up to an underhook, or by fighting inside for position. |
| Russian Tie (Two-on-One) | A tie-up where you have control of both of the opponent's arms, often with one hand controlling their wrist and the other controlling their upper arm or shoulder. | Getting to it: Grab the opponent's wrist and "climb" up their arm until you achieve the position. Can also be initiated from a collar tie by shrugging shoulders, grabbing the crook of the elbow, pulling it in, and then punching the arm off. |
| Collar Tie | Placing your forearm or hand around the opponent's neck. | Achieved by getting close enough for heads to touch and using your back hand to grab the neck. Can also involve posting with your back hand (thumb block) then clubbing with the front hand. The forearm acts as a barrier against shots. |
| Thumb Block | Using your thumb to block or press against an opponent's arm, typically at the crook of the elbow or on the bicep. | Primarily a defensive or counter-technique used to prevent an opponent from securing a tie-up (like an underhook) or to create space. It can also be part of initiating contact or clearing an opponent's tie. Requires a straight arm to be effective for snapping off. |
The video emphasizes inside control for most tie-ups. Here's why and how it's discussed:
Outside Control: While not the primary focus for establishing advantageous tie-ups, outside control can be a temporary position or used defensively. For instance, when your opponent has an inside tie on you, you might momentarily have outside control of their arm as you fight to regain inside position or create space.
In summary, the video's techniques and strategies heavily favor establishing and maintaining inside control to dictate the pace of the match, create offensive opportunities, and defend effectively.
