Half Nelson
- Wrestling
- Top & Pinning
- fundamental
- Top / breakdown
- 3 steps
Thread an arm under the opponent’s arm to the back of the neck and turn them to their back. Also known as the Half. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.
When to use it
Use the half nelson once the opponent is broken down flat on their stomach. Get chest pressure first so they cannot crawl away. It pairs with the spiral ride and the cross-face.
Step by step
- 01
Top position
Control them broken down with chest pressure.
- 02
Thread the half
Drive one arm under their near arm and across the back of the neck, palm on the head.
- 03
Turn to the back
Crank the head and lift the arm to roll them over onto their shoulder blades.
Key details
- Get the arm deep, hand on the back of the head, not the neck alone.
- Drive into them as you turn so they cannot bridge out.
- Walk toward their head to finish the turn.
Common mistakes
- Shallow grip that slips off the head.
- Turning without driving forward, letting them bridge.
- Forgetting to lift the trapped arm.
Common counters
Opponents clamp the elbow to their side to block your arm, or roll into you to reverse. Without forward drive they bridge out. Drive into them as you turn.
How to drill it
Your partner lies flat on their stomach: thread the half nelson and turn them to their back, ten reps on each side. Then do three rounds of one minute from referee’s position looking for the turn.
Related techniques
- Spiral RideWrestlingFrom the top, grab the far arm and near hip and drive in a corkscrew to flatten the opponent.
- CradleWrestlingTrap the head and a knee, lock your hands and ball the opponent up onto their back.
- Gut WrenchWrestlingLock your hands around the waist and arch to roll the opponent over for exposure (freestyle).
Train it with the AI coach