Nelson hold
A nelson hold is a grappling hold which is executed from behind the opponent, generally when both are on the mat face down with the opponent under the aggressor. One or both arms are used to encircle the opponent's arm under the armpit, and secured at the opponent's neck. Several different nelson holds exist, and they can be separated according to the positioning of the encircling arm(s). A nelson is used to control an opponent or to turn him over on his back and execute a pin.
| Nelson Hold | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Classification | Joint-lock |
| Style | Catch wrestling |
| AKA | Nelson |
The term "nelson" is derived from "full nelson", which dates back to the early 19th century. It has been suggested that it was named after Horatio Nelson, who used strategies based on surrounding the opponent to win the Battle of the Nile and the Battle of Trafalgar, but its true origin remains uncertain.[1]
Variations
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Quarter nelson
The quarter nelson involves putting one hand on the opponent's neck, passing the free arm under the arm of the opponent, and locking the free arm to the other arm by clasping the wrist. In amateur wrestling a strong quarter nelson can be used to secure a pin, or to control the opponent and advance into a more dominant position.
Half nelson
The half nelson is referred to by most coaches as being the easiest, but most effective move in folkstyle wrestling, and is very commonly used. The half nelson is done using only one hand, by passing it under the arm of the opponent and locking the hand on the opponent's neck. In addition, the hand not being used should be holding the opponent's other wrist in so that they can not post the hand or peel the half nelson off.
A power half nelson is a type of half nelson. The hand not performing the nelson is placed on the opponent's head to increase the overall power of the half nelson.
When the half nelson has been put into place, it is used to turn the opponent over onto his back. This is accomplished by using the hand to press the opponent's neck down, while using the arm under the opponent's shoulder to lift the shoulder and drive it perpendicularly to the opponent's body.
When the opponent has been turned over onto his back, the aggressor attempts to pin him by tightening the grip on the neck, putting the nelson in more deeply so that the aggressor's elbow is hooking the opponent's neck. Often the aggressor remains perpendicular to the opponent, chest on chest. The aggressor's free hand is used to minimize struggling by hooking the opponent's near or far leg or crotch.
Countering the half nelson
When the aggressor is in the process of putting the half nelson in, the opponent can attempt to prevent it from going in deeply by using his affected arm to clamp down on the intruding arm. This is especially effective if the opponent is on his knees instead of lying flat, which is why the half nelson should not be attempted until the opponent's stomach is on the ground.
When the aggressor is driving forward perpendicularly to the opponent's body, the opponent can try to avoid being flipped over onto his back by extending his opposite foot in the direction of the undesired movement, and planting it.
Once the opponent is on his back, he can attempt to avoid having his shoulders pinned to the mat, and to get off his back, by planting his feet and pushing the mat with them, allowing him to roll his head back so the top of his head is on the mat, rather than the back of his neck being on the aggressor's arm. From this position he can try to turn over either toward or away from the aggressor.
Three-quarter nelson
The three-quarter nelson is done by performing a half nelson using one hand and passing the other hand underneath the opponent from the same side. The passing hand goes under the opponent's neck and around the far side to the top of the neck, where it is locked with the other hand around the neck at the wrist or using a palm-to-palm or interlacing fingers grip. The three-quarter nelson can be used in amateur wrestling to pin the opponent and is more secure than a half-nelson.
Full nelson
The full nelson (sometimes called a double nelson or a double shoulder lock) is done by performing half nelsons with both arms. In collegiate, high school, middle school or junior high school, and most other forms of amateur wrestling, the move is illegal because of possibility of injury. The holder is on the back side of the opponent, and has his or her hands extended upwards under the opponents armpits, holding the neck with a palm-to-palm grip or with interlaced fingers. By cranking the hands forward, pressure can be applied to the neck of the opponent. The usage of the full nelson in combat sports is very limited. It is a secure hold which can be used to control the opponent, but does not allow for finishing action, such as pinning the opponent, executing a reliable submission hold, or allowing for effective striking.[2] Because it can be used as a limited neck crank, it is considered dangerous in some grappling arts, and is banned, for instance, in amateur wrestling.
References
- Archer, Jeff; Svinth, Joseph (January 2005). Professional Wrestling: Where Sports and Theater Collide Archived 2007-10-13 at the Wayback Machine, InYo: Journal of Alternative Perspectives on the Martial Arts and Sciences. URL last accessed January 7, 2006.
- Benn, Frank. Full Nelson Strategy – Use and Counters. stickgrappler.tripod.com. URL last accessed February 6, 2006. (archived 2007-03-12)