Become Fighter
Front headlock scrambles: Wrestling guide
Use the front headlock to control a stuffed shot and spin behind.
When an opponent shoots and you sprawl, the front headlock lets you control their head and arm. From here you can snap, spin behind or chop the arm.
A front headlock is a control for position, not a choke. Keep pressure on the shoulder and arm, not the neck or throat.
Drill this with a coach nearby.
Key points
- Sprawl first. Your hips must be heavy on their back.
- Cup the chin or head with your hand and trap the near arm with your chest.
- Spin to the side of the trapped arm, not away.
- Keep your elbow tight so the head cannot slide out.
- Finish behind them with a waist grip.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Choking. Control the shoulder and arm, not the throat.
- Spinning against the arm. Spin to the side where the arm is trapped.
- Standing up. Stay low. Standing gives them a way out.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Scrambles and re-attacks module of Wrestling foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Scrambles and re-attacks
- What a scramble is: Wrestling guide
- Re-attack from the scramble: Wrestling guide
- Scramble conditioning: Wrestling guide
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.