How to Do a Figure-Four in Wrestling

In wrestling, pinning an opponent ends a match immediately, and is therefore a useful way to achieve victory and conserve energy for other matches. Certain pinning techniques require more strength to execute than others, and some can be as draining to hold as it is for the opponent to resist. The figure four is a pinning technique that is very difficult to escape when executed properly, and is not tiring to use since it utilizes the legs instead of arms to pin an opponent.

Instructions

    • 1

      When your opponent is flat on his stomach, use an arm bar to begin turning him over. To do an arm bar, pull one of your opponent's arms in to his body, put your arm around the outside into the crook of his elbow and have your forearm rest on his back, so that his arm is restrained and cannot move forward.

    • 2

      As you walk to the side and your opponent is nearing a 90 degree angle, step over his head and scoop up his head with your leg as he turns over. Your opponent will be turned onto his back, with his head resting in the crook of your knee, while you are extended perpendicular to him on your stomach.

    • 3

      Place the foot of the leg that stepped over the head in the crook of your other knee, then bend that knee over your own foot so that your legs form a triangle that would resemble a figure four before you bent your knee over your foot. When your legs are locked in and bent, squeeze them together as tight as possible and arch your back to put additional pressure downward to pin your opponent.