How to Do a Power Half Nelson in Wrestling

In folk style wrestling, the type of wrestling practiced in the high school and collegiate levels, holding an opponent's back to the mat so that both shoulder blades are flat results in a pin, ending the match. One of the most common and effective methods to turn an opponent over is the half nelson. A variation of this technique, known as the power half nelson, uses the free arm to exert additional pressure to turn an opponent.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Break your opponent down to his stomach.

2. Lace one arm under your opponent's armpit, and place your hand on the back of his neck. This is the position of a normal half nelson.

3. To switch the normal half nelson into a power half, lock the hand that you have placed on your opponent's neck with the hand of your free arm.

4. Use the assisting arm to push downward on your linked hands, prying your opponent's shoulder up, while tucking his head under you.

5. When your opponent turns over, release the assisting arm of the power half and finish as you would a normal half nelson, chest to chest, staying on your toes with pressure down and your opponent's head locked in the crook of your armpit and elbow.

Tips & Warnings

• The power half is a method to increase the pressure you can exert with a normal half nelson, but may provide less stability than a deep waist, or grabbing a wrist with your free arm.
• The power half is very effective when used from a leg ride, because the leg ride controls your opponent's body, so that you do not need to worry as much about the loss of stability with using both arms to attack.
• Be sure not to lock your assisting arm with your half nelson under your opponent's free arm. Locking your hands with a half nelson on both sides is a full nelson, which is illegal and will result in a penalty point for your opponent.

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