Become Fighter
The switch: Wrestling guide
Turn the rider's hold against them and come out on top.
The switch turns a sit-out into a reversal. You post, sit out, and then hip over the top of the rider's controlling arm to end up behind them.
It works best when the rider is leaning forward and trying to hold your waist. Your hips turn their weight into your advantage.
Start slowly and keep both hands on the mat until your hips are in position.
Key points
- Post, sit out to the side and kick your hips through.
- Reach over the rider's arm with your inside hand and grip their wrist or tricep.
- Turn your chest toward them and spin to the outside.
- Come up behind them, with a hand on their waist.
- Do not drop your head to the mat. Keep it up and in line.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Switching without a sit-out. The sit-out creates the angle. Without it the switch is blocked.
- Dropping your head. Keep your head up so you stay balanced.
- Letting the arm go. Hold the arm until you are behind them.
Combinations that use it
- wr-sit-switch: Sit-out, Switch
Related techniques
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 Bottom escapes and reversals module of Wrestling foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Bottom escapes and reversals
- Base, hand control and stand-up: Wrestling guide
- Granby roll: Wrestling guide
- Chaining escapes: 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.