How to Do an Arm Bar in Wrestling

In wrestling, after each period, wrestlers assume the referee's position, with one wrestler on his hands and knees, and the other behind him in a dominant position. The bottom wrestler generally tries to get up to a neutral position and the top wrestler works toward breaking the bottom man down and turning him onto his back. The arm bar is a basic pinning technique that any beginning wrestler should practice.

Instructions

    • 1

      While in the top position, break the bottom man down to his stomach.

    • 2

      Thread one of your arms over the top of your opponent's corresponding arms (right arm to right arm, or left arm to left arm), and position the forearm of your threaded arm along your opponent's back. In order to get your opponent's arm in a position where this threading is possible, you may have to work for wrists and pull an arm in closer to you

    • 3

      Grab your opponent's opposite wrist with your free arm, grabbing the wrist under his arm. This will steady your control over your opponent.

    • 4

      Walk out to the side you have the arm bar, putting pressure on your opponents arm, causing his chest to flip up toward you. Continue exerting pressure with your arm and chest, as you drive with your legs until he begins to turn onto his back.

    • 5

      As he turns to his back, you can keep the arm bar grip and squeeze, or quickly switch to a half nelson, by bringing your arm back under his head, so that it is trapped in the crook of your shoulder and armpit. Sinking in a half allows you to stay further back and exert pressure downward more powerfully.