Arm wrestling: technique, rules and safety
Arm wrestling is a familiar party or summer get-together game for many people, but as a competitive sport it is a much more precise and technical discipline. The bigger arm doesn’t always win. The winner is the one who can make the wrist, body, legs and reaction work together as one.
Why arm wrestling isn’t just about strength
Most people probably know arm wrestling as a casual pastime. There’s always someone in the group who wants to test their strength, and a table to put an elbow down on is usually easy to find. In the morning, your arm hurts. At worst, you end up injured because you skipped the warm-up and lost control of your position.
Competitive arm wrestling is quite different. Honestly, the Estonian name for the sport, with its word for “pressing,” doesn’t describe it very well, because much of the work is actually done by the pull and by control. The goal isn’t simply to push the opponent’s hand to the side, but to take over their wrist, the angle of their arm and their body position.
That’s why wrist strength and wrist flexibility are so important. The forearm, biceps, back and even the legs all do work. In America, an arm wrestler is often called a “puller.” That says quite a lot about the sport.
Professional arm wrestling is mostly done standing up, except in the competition classes for athletes with disabilities. The front foot should be on the same side as the arm you’re wrestling with. If you compete with your right hand, your right foot is ahead of your left. This lets the body work together with the arm more effectively.
How arm wrestling works technically
A good position starts with the body. Imagine a small box in front of your shoulders. Your hand shouldn’t sink far outside that box. Wherever the hand goes, the body has to go too. This applies even when you’re losing.
If the hand is left on its own and the body turns away, the position becomes dangerous. This is exactly where many injuries come from. It’s an especially bad sign if your eyes leave your hands or your arm ends up in what looks like a ball-throwing position. The referee will usually stop such a situation and award a foul to the athlete who ends up in the dangerous position.
Basic techniques
Arm wrestling uses several techniques. They aren’t just fancy names, but different ways of getting the opponent’s arm under control.
- Toproll, or the outside move: the aim is to take over the opponent’s fingers and wrist and open up their hand.
- Hook, or the inside move: the hand is turned inward and the fight is decided more by the wrist and the inner strength of the arm.
- Press, or pressing with the triceps: a technique in which you really do push more forward and down.
Variations of these techniques are used as well. An experienced athlete doesn’t rely on just one move. They read the opponent, change the angle and look for the moment to take control.
Arm wrestling and the basic rules
A competition match can end very quickly. Sometimes the start is called, there’s a single shout and the match is already over. That doesn’t mean the sport is random. Speed and reaction are part of the skill. If one athlete starts better or is clearly stronger, the difference can show in an instant.
The basic rules keep the match fair and safe. They give both competitors the same limits.
- The elbow must stay in contact with the elbow pad throughout the match.
- The other hand must be in contact with the holding handle designed for it, known as the peg.
- At the start of the match, both competitors’ wrists must be straight.
- From the wrist down, a competitor’s hand must not come into contact with their own body.
- If the hands slip apart, they are tied back together with the appropriate strap.
- A win is awarded when the opponent’s hand is pressed against the pin pad or down to its level.
An earlier reference to the Saaremaa Open Arm Wrestling Competition 2013 shows that the sport has been organized as a competition in Estonia, not only as a party game. Still, an old event notice shouldn’t be read as today’s calendar information.
Practical tips and safety
One common shout is: “Put your other hand behind your back!” On a competition table, that’s not how it works. The table has holding points, known as pegs, because otherwise body weight would come into play too much. A strong athlete would simply push away from the table, a bit like trying to push a wall with your hands.
The claim “that’s not fair, you’re pushing with your body” doesn’t quite hold up either. Both competitors have the same chance to use the body, but from the wrist down the hand must not come into contact with it. The body guides the arm, but the weakest link is often still the wrist and forearm. Once the wrist gives way, twisting hard with the body won’t save much.
Your back doesn’t have to be ramrod straight. In fact, your arm is often stronger when your shoulders are brought slightly forward and your body works as one unit. That doesn’t mean a sloppy position. It means a controlled one.
And that smaller opponent? Don’t underestimate them. Arm wrestling is a technical sport. Raw strength helps, but strength alone isn’t enough. Modern arm wrestling can be seen as a small martial art, just without the concussions and knockouts. An unexpected angle can decide more than a big biceps.
It’s never too late to start. Women are very skilled arm wrestlers too, and age doesn’t end your chances. There are world champions among those over 45 as well. If you’re interested, start by learning technique, not by testing your maximum strength.
FAQ
Is arm wrestling dangerous?
It can be, in the wrong position. The biggest risk arises when the body turns away from the arm, the eyes look elsewhere and the arm ends up in a position similar to throwing a ball. Correct technique and the referee’s supervision reduce the risk.
Does the stronger person always win?
No. Strength is important, but arm wrestling also depends on the wrist, the start, body posture and technique. A good toproll or hook can change a match quickly.
Why do you have to hold the peg with your other hand?
It keeps the body at the table and makes the match more controlled. Without it, body weight would play too big a role and the athlete could push themselves back from the table.
Author: Susie
Source:Turg.Fitness.ee
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