How to Perform a Sleeper Hold

A sleeper hold is a position that people use in wrestling to gain control over the opponent by making him black out. People only perform the sleeper hold with proper supervision in an organized event to prevent harm to the opponent.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Come at your opponent from behind. Catch your opponent off guard to ensure the best position to perform the sleeper hold.

2. Wrap your dominant arm around your opponent's neck. Press your bicep against one side of the neck and your forearm against the other side. Flex your forearm and biceps to apply pressure on each side of the neck.

3. Jab your elbow into the lower back of your opponent if he is taller than you are. This will cause him to bend backwards allowing you to wrap your arm tighter around his neck.

4. Use your dominant hand to grip the bicep of your other arm. Push your opponent's head toward your dominant arm's elbow using your other hand. This will prevent your opponent from breathing.

5. Loosen the sleeper hold when your opponent blacks out to allow him to start breathing again. Keep your arms locked to keep control of your opponent when he gains strength and tries to fight back.

Tips & Warnings

• You must loosen the hold on your opponent after he blacks out or you can cause death or permanent brain damage.

• Never attempt to perform the sleeper hold without proper instruction from a wrestling professional. You can cause harm or death to the opponent or yourself.