Also called Arm bar and half, Nelson
The half nelson is wrestling's basic pinning hold: from on top, slide one arm under the opponent's armpit, put your hand on the back of their neck and lever them onto their back. Combined with an arm bar that hooks their other arm, it forms the classic bar-and-half pinning combination.
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How to do it
- 1From the top, kneel beside the opponent with your chest on their back.
- 2Slide your near arm under their armpit and place your hand on the back of their head.
- 3Control their far wrist with your other hand so they cannot post.
- 4Lift the elbow and press the head away, turning their shoulders toward the mat.
- 5Walk your hips around toward their head and settle chest to chest for the pin.
- Putting the hand on the top of the head instead of the back of the neck.
- Leaving their far arm free to post and block the turn.
- Staying on your knees behind them instead of walking around to finish.
Safety: Lever the shoulder, never crank the neck, and ease off the moment your partner's shoulders reach the mat.
Drills
Your partner lies on their stomach giving light resistance; set the half nelson, turn them to their back, hold for three seconds and reset, ten reps each side.
Legends known for it
1986–2000We teach it in Wrestling & Grappling. A coach will fix the details you can't see yourself. Join now and book your first class for $20, paid online.
1990–2004