Arm Wrestling Training Tips
Are you new to arm wrestling and don't know where to get started? Here, Eastside Arm Wrestling shares a couple of arm wrestling tips to kickstart your arm wrestling journey!
Arm Wrestling Techniques
Written by: Christoper Tan
1. Introduction
In arm wrestling, there are a nearly infinite number of techniques that are available to the puller. These lie on a spectrum from Outside to Inside arm wrestling.
Generally speaking, Outside style arm wrestling can be categorized by the shoulder of the user moving backward and a force production that attacks the fingers of the opponent. Conversely, Inside style arm wrestling involves the shoulder moving forward and the main force attacking the arm of the opponent instad.
The multitude of techniques can be broadly categorized into three distinct styles: Toproll, Hook, and Press.​
Each style interacts with the others in a slightly different way, almost like in a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. With all else being equal, generally, a Hook counters a Press, and a Press counters a Toproll. Between Hooking and Toprolling, it is usually not obvious as to which style is favored, and it depends highly on the variant of Hook or Toproll being executed at the time of the match.
In executing arm wrestling techniques, there are several main movements involved in the the hand and wrist. These include: Pronation & Supination, Wrist Flexion & Extension, and Radial & Ulnar Deviation. Its is important to train all of these movements so you can get maximum advantage at the table.
2. The Setup
The placement of one's feet and hips also plays a big role in creating proper arm wrestling leverage.
Generally speaking, the hips should be in contact with the table at all times, and the feet should be staggered, with the foot on the same side of the competing arm placed slightly forward. The exact placement may vary depending on one's body structure, but this is a good rule of thumb to follow.
The elbow of the competing arm should be planted comfortably on the elbow pad and not lift off or leave the boundary of the elbow pad at all times during a match.
The non-arm wrestling hand should also be in contact with the hand peg at all times, but one thing to take note of is the elbow positioning for the non-competing arm. When going for the pin, it is a common mistake for the non-competing arm's elbow to hinder the body's downward movement. Hence, it is good practice to hold the hand peg in a way that allows the elbow to move freely and make way for the body to go as low as needed.
Additionally, the force applied by the non-arm wrestling arm on the peg should be opposite to that of the movement of the arm wrestling arm.
That is to say if one were to apply a technique like a toproll that involves pulling away from the opponent, then the non-competing hand would be pushing on the peg. Conversely, a technique like the press which involves moving toward the opponent would involve the non-arm wrestling hand pulling on the peg instead.
The same concept goes for the foot on the arm wrestling arm's side as well: Pushing away from the direction of the force being exerted by the arm wrestling arm.
This helps the arm wrestler brace themselves for the force being generated and allows them to better exert the appropriate force for the technique being used.