Become Fighter
Collar tie and wrist control: Wrestling guide
Own the first contact: collar tie, wrist control and head position.
Most takedowns are decided in the first two seconds of contact. The wrestler who gets a tie first controls the distance, the posture and the pace. Everything in this module starts here.
The collar tie is a hand cupped behind the back of the neck, elbow pointing forward. The wrist control is your other hand gripping their wrist so they cannot tie you up. Together they let you pull their head down, push it away or turn them.
Work these with a partner at light pressure. You are learning where your hands go, not trying to hurt each other.
Key points
- Collar tie: fingers on the back of the neck, thumb and forearm tight against the side of the head.
- Keep your elbow in and in front of you, not flared. A flared elbow gives them an underhook.
- Wrist control: grip the thumb side of their wrist and keep their hand away from your collar.
- Pull the head down to your chest, then step offline. Do not just stand and pull.
- Stay in your stance with your knees bent. A tie from straight legs is easily broken.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Standing tall while tying up. Bend your knees and keep your hips under you. Your legs hold the tie, not your arms.
- Pulling the head with straight arms. Pull with your elbow and back, and keep your elbow tight to your ribs.
- Holding the tie without moving. A tie is a way to create an angle. Pull, step and change position on every contact.
Combinations that use it
- wr-ct-ad: Collar tie, Arm drag
- wr-hf-ct-ad: Hand fight, Collar tie, Arm drag
- wr-ct-snap-sl: Collar tie, Snap-down, Single leg
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 Clinch takedowns module of Wrestling foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Clinch takedowns
- Underhook battles and 2-on-1: Wrestling guide
- Arm drag to the back: Wrestling guide
- Body lock and inside trip: 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.