How to Sprawl in Wrestling

In wrestling, scoring a take down is a way to build up points and put yourself in a dominant position. While being aggressive and attempting take downs is a good strategy, knowing how to defend against a take down is essential. The sprawl is the primary method for defending a take down.

Things You'll Need

  • Partner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Have your partner shoot in for a double or single leg take down. The sprawl is the same when defending either type of take down.

    • 2

      Throw your leading leg straight backward, and slam the hip on the side of your leading leg to the mat. When an opponent shoots in for a take down, he will attack the leading leg first. The goal of a sprawl is to quickly throw the legs backward, so that they cannot be attacked. If you hit your sprawl fast enough the first time, your opponent may not get a handle on your legs at all, and you will be able to stand back up returning to a neutral position.

    • 3

      Know that if your partner manages to grasp one of your legs, she will try to pull it in and drive forward to complete her take down. In this case throw your hips down hard to break her grip. Your goal is to work your way backward, pulling her hands farther and farther away from your legs. Against a determined opponent, you will need to make a sustained effort, re-sprawling and fighting to keep your hips down to break her grip and drive her away so that you can stand back up.

    • 4

      Be aware that if an opponent continues to attack while you are in a sprawled position, he will begin to flatten out as you fight to keep your legs back. This can allow the sprawling wrestler to turn his defensive position into an offensive one by quickly spinning around behind the aggressor as their grip slackens.