The half-nelson, or simply “the half,” is one of the most well-known wrestling techniques in the world. Why? Because it works! The half is used to turn and pin an opponent on his back from the top position. Typically, the half-nelson is the first move that beginning wrestlers learn from the top position, but many wrestlers have been known to win national and international championships using this basic technique. Read each step carefully to learn the fundamentals of this invaluable maneuver.
1. Cover & Pressure
To start the half, you need to be covering your opponent in such a way that your body is on top of and aligned with his. Make sure your chest is making contact with his back. Staying on your toes will add some extra pressure to your opponent’s body and it’ll make it more difficult for your opponent to escape. Straddle the leg that is on the same side of your opponent’s body as the arm you want to do the half-nelson on.
2. Stuff the Head
In order to turn your opponent on his back, you will need to keep his head down. You will use your hand, or forearm, of the arm that is closest to your opponent’s head to do this. For example, if you are straddling your opponent’s left leg, you will push your opponent’s head down with your right arm.
Put pressure on the back of his head and, if you can, try to keep his head in contact with the mat. The pressure that you apply to the back of your opponent’s head must be constant. You can apply as much pressure as you need to keep his head down, but you cannot strike or grind the back of your opponent’s head with your hand or forearm.
3. Scoop
Bring your other arm underneath the armpit of your opponent’s arm that you’re putting the half on (if you’re putting the half on your opponent’s left arm, use your left arm). Depending on the length of your arms, though, you might be focusing on your opponent’s elbow rather than his armpit.
While still applying pressure to the back of his head, snake your arm (that is now in his armpit) up and over the top of your opponent’s head. This is the “scoop.” Try to get your arm as far under the armpit and over the top of his head as possible. This will make your half “deep,” or tighter. The tighter you get the move at this stage, the higher your chances are of turning and pinning your opponent. One way to get your arm deeper is to grip the far side of your opponent’s neck at the base of the head.
4. Hop Off & Drive
Once you have secured a deep enough half on your opponent, you’re ready to turn him. Hop off your opponent’s body on the same side of the body that you’re controlling his arm. Use your legs and drive diagonally towards the ear on the opposite side of your opponent’s head (if you’re using your left arm to turn your opponent, drive towards his right ear).
As you drive, try and pull your opponent’s head toward the armpit of the arm you’re controlling. Keep your chest low on his body, and use your chest to pressure against his. Make sure to stay on your toes while you drive, and do not rest on your knees. Doing so will relieve all the pressure off of your opponent. So, stay on your toes and keep the pressure on.
Hot Tip: Using Both Arms
There are many different variations of the half, many of which require you to do something with your free arm as you are doing the half (the arm that isn’t snaked under your opponent’s armpit). Some of these include holding the far wrist, keeping a tight waist, or securing an arm-bar on the opposite side of your opponent’s body. For the basic purposes of learning the half, don’t worry about your free arm for right now. Just know that you will be using it in the future!
5. Secure & Settle
As you drive your opponent onto his back, you must tighten the hold you have on his head. Essentially, you want your opponent’s head tightly secured in the bend if your elbow:
- As you are about to turn your opponent, roll your forearm (of the arm that’s snaked around the top of his head) forward so that you can use your tricep to push the back of your opponent’s head closer to your body. Again, this is not a strike with your elbow.
- From here, your half should be deep enough that you are able to wrap your arm completely around the base of your opponent’s head. Your half is deep enough when your knuckles can touch his chest.
Make sure your chest is in direct contact with your opponent’s chest so that both bodies form the shape of a “T.” From here, sink your hips down to the mat so that your opponent cannot counter you. Stay on your toes to keep the pressure on his body, and pull his head up with your arm so he cannot bridge.
Pin & Win!
Adding the half-nelson to your technical arsenal will help you secure more wins in the long run. The ability to pin an opponent is very critical to your success as a wrestler because you’ll be competitive against anyone. The earlier you perfect the half-nelson, the quicker you’ll be able to dominate the competition from the top position. So, get out there and practice!
