Youth Wrestling Moves - Top and Bottom Position

Knowing All the Right Moves

A good wrestler is only as good as their moves, and knowing when to use them during a match. By learning new youth wrestling moves, a young wrestler can become a more diverse competitor, which will enable them to win more matches.

Moves for the Top

These youth wrestling moves are for when a wrestler is starting in the top position. First, here’s a popular move known as the "Arm Chop". For this move, the attacker raises their arm and brings it down on the right side of their opponent’s elbow. Failure to execute this move properly could result in severe injury for the opponent, therefore warn wrestlers to be careful with this move.

This next move, called the "Ball and Chain", is ideal for wrestlers with strong thigh and leg muscles. For this move, the attacker immobilizes their opponent by placing the ankle inside of their knee joint. Or, try the "Stretch", which involves grabbing the opponent’s wrist and ankle on the same side. By pulling and applying weight to the opponent, they’ll fall helplessly to the mat.

Here’s a move called the "Leg Scissor" that is effective for immobilizing the opponent and earning a pin, near-pin or takedown points. For this move, the attacker wraps their legs around their opponent’s abdomen and squeezes as tightly as possible.

A popular move in youth wrestling is the "Wrist-and-Half". For this move, the attacker drives their opponent down to the mat in such a manner that the opponent is unable to execute a defensive move such as standup, switch or roll. In order to do so, the attacker must exercise firm control over one of their opponent’s wrists while it is down on the mat.

In the meantime, the attacking wrestler also grabs hold of their opponent’s other arm, bringing it behind their opponent’s neck. From this position, the attacker can execute a half-nelson or reverse headlock as long as they keep the wrist on the mat immobile. However, be careful when performing this move as it can easily turn into a full-nelson, which is illegal in youth wrestling as it is considered dangerous.

Moves from the Bottom

Next, here are some youth wrestling moves to be used when starting from the bottom position. First is the "Wing Roll", also known as the "Western Roll" or the "Fatty Roll". For this move, the attacker grasps their opponent’s arm to position their body between their opponent’s arm and chest. After the attacker is in position, they roll, toppling the opponent to the mat. This move works especially well for heavyweights and on opponents with higher centers of gravity.

Another move that can be performed from the bottom position is so simple it’s hard to believe: "Stand Up". Sometimes a simple change in positioning from low to high is enough to alter the momentum of the match, giving the upper hand to the player that just vacated the bottom position.

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