Gut Wrench

  • Wrestling
  • Top & Pinning
  • intermediate
  • Referee’s position (top)
  • 3 steps

Lock your hands around the waist and arch to roll the opponent over for exposure (freestyle). Also known as the Gut. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step by step

  1. 01

    Referee’s position, on top

    Chest to back, hips heavy.

    Gut Wrench step 1 of 3: Referee’s position, on top
  2. 02

    Lock the waist

    Lock your hands tightly around their midsection, palm over fist.

    Gut Wrench step 2 of 3: Lock the waist
  3. 03

    Arch and roll

    Pull them in, arch your hips and roll them over your body to expose their back, then re-secure on top.

    Gut Wrench step 3 of 3: Arch and roll

Key details

  • Lock the hands high and tight on the waist before rolling.
  • Use a hip arch and bridge, not just arm strength, to turn them.
  • Stay attached and re-lock immediately for the next roll.

Common mistakes

  • A loose waist lock that gets pried open.
  • Rolling with the arms only and gassing out.
  • Letting them post a knee to block the roll.

Related techniques

See it animated in DARCE

Film a round and the app finds which techniques showed up in your game, where the Gut Wrench fits, and what to drill next. Private beta, 50 founding seats.

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