Elbow control is one of the cleanest ways to set up a high crotch in wrestling. By controlling and moving your opponent’s elbow on the side you plan to attack, you open space under their arm, then change levels and shoot to the near leg before they can recover their position. The keys are a real reaction from the opponent, a sharp level change, a deep penetration step and keeping your head on the outside.
This guide explains why elbow control works, the step-by-step setup, the main variations, how to finish, drills to build the attack and the mistakes that get high crotches stuffed.
Why elbow control sets up the high crotch
The high crotch attacks a single leg with your head on the outside and your arm wrapped high around the thigh. To get there, you need a clear path under your opponent’s arm. When their elbow is tight to their side, that path is closed. Moving the elbow up, across or away opens a window for your shot. Elbow control also lets you feel the opponent’s weight and posture, so you know when they are reacting and ready to be attacked.
Because elbow control is a hand-fighting position rather than a full tie-up, it is quick to get and quick to release, which suits wrestlers who like to create movement and shoot from open space.
The basic setup, step by step
- Get your stance and position. Stay in a good stance with your head up, hips under you and elbows in. Circle to get an angle toward the leg you want to attack.
- Control the elbow. Cup your opponent’s elbow on the side you plan to attack, with fingers on the outside of the joint.
- Move the elbow. Push it up and across their body, or pull it down so they react upward, then pop it up. The goal is to create a gap under the arm.
- Change levels. As the elbow moves, drop your hips by bending your knees, not your back.
- Penetrate. Step deep toward the attacked leg, driving your head to the outside of their body.
- Lock the leg. Wrap your inside arm high around the thigh, keeping your head tight to their side and your chest close to the leg.
- Finish. Run the pipe, lift the leg, or switch to a double leg if they square up.
Elbow control variations
| Variation | How it works | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Elbow pass | Push the elbow across the opponent’s body and shoot under it | When the opponent reaches or leaves the arm extended |
| Pop and shoot | Pull the elbow down, the opponent reacts up, then pop it up and shoot | Against opponents who resist downward pressure |
| Elbow post | Post on the elbow to freeze the arm, then level change | When the opponent is pushing forward |
| Snap to elbow | Snap the head down, then use the reaction as they rise to control the elbow | Against opponents with good posture who come up hard |
| Inside tie to elbow | Start from an inside tie, slide down to the elbow and elevate it | When hand fighting at close range |
Finishing the high crotch
Run the pipe. With the leg locked and your head outside, turn the corner by driving your outside shoulder into the opponent and pulling the leg across your body, taking them to the mat to the side.
Lift and return. If the leg is high on your chest, stand up with it, keeping your head tight, and return the opponent to the mat under control.
Switch to a double. If the opponent squares up to defend, reach for the other leg and finish with a double leg.
Drills to build the attack
- Elbow control movement. With a partner, practice cupping and moving the elbow while circling, focusing on creating a gap without shooting.
- Setup-to-penetration reps. Drill the full setup into a penetration step, stopping once the leg is locked.
- Reaction drill. The partner reacts to your pull or push randomly, and you shoot only when they give the right reaction.
- Finish chains. From the locked high crotch, practice running the pipe, then switching to a double on the partner’s signal.
- Live situation work. Start from elbow control and wrestle for a set time, scoring only from that position.
How opponents defend, and how to counter
A good opponent will try to shut down the high crotch by sprawling, whizzering the attacked arm or circling away. If they sprawl hard, keep your head up and your hips moving forward, and consider switching to a double or coming out the back door. If they whizzer, keep your head tight and drive into them so the whizzer cannot turn you. If they circle away as you set up, cut the angle with your feet before reaching again. Knowing these reactions in advance lets you build chains rather than relying on a single attack.
Common mistakes
- Reaching instead of moving the elbow. Simply grabbing the elbow without moving it does not create space.
- Shooting without a reaction. If the opponent has not moved, the path under the arm is still closed.
- Bending at the waist. Dropping the head instead of the hips leaves you open to a front headlock or snap.
- Head on the inside. A high crotch needs the head outside. An inside head position exposes you to counters.
- Shallow penetration. Stopping short leaves the leg at arm’s length and easy to sprawl out of.
- Loose arm lock. The arm must be high and tight around the thigh, or the opponent can pull the leg free.
Safety and rules note
Finish takedowns under control and return opponents to the mat safely. Slams and lifting an opponent and driving them down with force are illegal under NFHS, NCAA and United World Wrestling rules. Drill new techniques at partial speed with a partner of similar size, and follow your coach’s guidance on warming up and progression. Stop training and seek medical advice if you feel neck, knee or shoulder pain.
Frequently asked questions
How do you set up a high crotch in wrestling?
Control and move the opponent’s elbow on the side you will attack to open space under the arm, then change levels, penetrate deep with your head outside and lock your arm high around the thigh.
What is the difference between a high crotch and a single leg?
A high crotch is a type of single leg attack where your head is outside and your arm wraps high around the thigh, often finishing by running the pipe or switching to a double.
What do you do if the opponent sprawls on a high crotch?
Keep your head up and hips driving forward, then switch to a double leg or come out the back door rather than stalling underneath them.
