Become Fighter
Underhooks and ties: Wrestling guide
Control the upper body with an underhook, working slowly with a partner.
An underhook is when your arm goes under their arm, with your hand at their back or shoulder blade. It lifts their elbow, opens their chest and lets you move your hips in close. It is one of the best positions in wrestling.
You cannot practise it alone, so this lesson needs a willing, experienced partner or a coach. Move slowly. Never wrench an arm, shoulder or neck.
Key points
- Agree with your partner that you are practising and that no one is trying to hurt anyone.
- Your hand goes to their shoulder blade, elbow high. Never reach for the elbow joint or twist the arm.
- Press your head to the opposite side of their head, not on their chin or throat.
- Your hips stay close. Take small steps to the side of the underhook arm.
- Release at once if your partner taps or says stop.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Reaching for the elbow joint. Hold the back of the shoulder or their back. Elbows and shoulders are easy to hurt.
- Leaning your weight on your partner. Stay on your own feet and use your legs, not your body weight, to press in.
- Head on their chin. Put your head beside theirs, on the side of the underhook.
- Pulling the arm up and away. Keep your elbow in and press with the chest. The arm is a hook, not a lever.
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 Defence, getting up and chains module of Wrestling foundations.
Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play.
More from Defence, getting up and chains
- The sprawl: Wrestling guide
- Whizzer and snap-down: Wrestling guide
- Sit-out and stand-up: Wrestling guide
- Chain wrestling: 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.