Front headlock shape
Defence / Solo mat / Build
Hips back and down, chest over the position, hands together low, elbows tight, then a circle step.
Illustration of position, not a partner technique to copy without a coach. Illustration of a position, not a partner technique to copy without a coach. The second figure is static and does not resist. Not coach-verified.
Why it matters
The front headlock is what a good sprawl turns into, and it leaks at the elbows: wide elbows are the space an opponent's head comes out through. This study is the shape held and moved, with the elbows as the thing to watch.
The phases
Wrestling stance
- Base. Begin with a base wide enough to move from.
- Knees flexed. Flex the knees and hips while keeping the head up.
- Hands ready. Hands stay ahead of the body, ready to make contact.
- Hold shape. Maintain a shape you can move from in either direction.
Watch for: Do not turn a lower stance into looking down at the mat.
Front headlock shape two figures
- Stance. Start in the stance with the hands in front.
- Hips back, chest over. Send the hips back and down while the chest comes over the space a head would be in.
- Cinch. Bring the hands together low in front and keep the elbows tight; head up.
- Circle step. Circle one step to the side, keeping the shape.
Watch for: The hands close together and the elbows stay tight. Wide elbows are an open door.
Three common faults
- Elbows wide
- The arms open and the hands separate. Hands together, elbows on the ribs.
- Hips forward
- The hips creep under the chest and the weight leaves the position. Hips back, chest over.
- Head down
- The head drops as the chest comes over. Eyes up.
In the room
- Hips back, chest over where a head would be.
- Hands together, elbows tight, head up.
- Circle one step and keep the shape.
Drill prescription
| Rounds | 3 rounds |
|---|---|
| Repetitions | 6 holds with a circle step |
| Rest | 30 s |
See the two-figure version of this position under Situational.
Open the visual study ↗Where it sits
Defence and recovery: Sprawl, spin, front headlock, and getting back to a base from the mat.
Also in this stage: Solo sprawl / recover, Sprawl and spin behind, Seated-to-standing base, Stand / rebuild stance.