How to Do Fireman's Carry in Wrestling

In wrestling, every match starts with both wrestlers on their feet and each competitor is tasked with scoring a takedown: getting his opponent down to his knees, while he maintains a dominant position behind him. The fireman's carry is a takedown technique that is similar to high crotch, and is used from a tied up position, as opposed to single and double leg takedowns, which do not require a tie up.

Instructions

1. Secure an inside tie. An inside tie is grabbing one of your opponent's triceps with an overhand grip.

2. Pull your opponent's arm over your head and behind you, as you drop to one knee and shoot your free arm between his legs. The knee that you should drop down is the knee opposite the side you have your inside tie on. This is the most complex part of the takedown, as it requires you to three things simultaneously.

3. Keep your grip on your opponent's tricep, and hook his leg with the arm you shot under him, then sit to the side onto your hip. This will cause your opponent to travel over your back and spill out on the other side, onto his back or side.

4. Quickly cover your opponent to score a takedown, or back points. An opponent that has good body position will not keep his back down for long, so try just try to get behind him and score a takedown. Against a beginner, you may be able to quickly throw an arm over the top of his head and sink in a half nelson before he assumes his base.

Tips & Warnings

• The main advantage of a fireman's carry over a high crotch is that it uses gravity to take an opponent down, which conserves the strength that would otherwise be required to drive him down.