with Jon Reader,
South Dakota State Assistant Coach;
2x U.S. Freestyle World Team Member;
2011 NCAA National Champion and 3x All-American at Iowa State University.
Whether on purpose or accident, wrestlers will find themselves in an underhook position at some point. They need to know how to finish once they have the underhook.
Jon Reader has been successful at all levels of wrestling. One of the reasons for his success has been due to his ability to use an underhook to open up scoring situations. In this video, Reader shows how he gets to the underhook from distance and from various ties.
The key to scoring on your feet is to create angles and control your opponent. Reader demonstrates techniques to secure an underhook and open the door for offensive attacks, such as a head inside single and high crotch. He provides insight from the collegiate and international wrestling scene on how the ability to get to your underhook can make the difference in winning or losing the match.
Additionally, Reader demonstrates the fundamentals needed to secure and open opportunities to score from the front headlock. He shows why this position is a major way to score on the international stage of wrestling.
Getting to the Underhook
Learn how a good stance and positioning is the gateway to getting into your underhooks. Reader teaches the hand and footwork in order to dig the underhook. He stresses the details on how the hand and footwork must be together in order to gain the advantage. Reader demonstrates three simple and effective ways to get into your underhooks:
- Head Club - A good initial setup for a underhook that will allow an opening to dig an underhook.
- Wrist Roll - Great way to get into a underhook off of your opponent's collar tie.
- Inside Elbow Post - A great way to create an opening if you are unable to set your underhook up with a wrist roll.
Once the underhook is in, Reader demonstrates ways to move your opponent. This is vital as it helps create angles for the best scoring opportunities.
Head Inside Single from Underhook
Learn how to create an angle and attack with a head inside single (Knee Pull). Reader discusses hand and head position when attacking the leg that keeps you in correct position in order to finish the shot. You'll learn how to get to this position regardless of your opponent's position. You will also be taught how to beat your opponent's defenses once on the shot.
Reader demonstrates how to finish from the inside single with two primary options based on the opponent's reaction.
- Shelf and Circle - Primary finish on the mat to circle behind and secure a takedown.
- Knee Slide to the Feet - Secondary finish on the mat if your opponent is defending with a whizzer and will allow you to take the single leg to your feet.
High Crotch from the Underhook
You'll be taught multiple techniques to move your opponent in order to get to your underhook and in position to hit a high crotch. Reader teaches a lesser known technique he calls the "meat hook" in order to set up your opponent. He also does an excellent job of showing how to properly hit and finish the high crotch from head, foot, hand and chest position.
Getting to a Front Headlock
The front headlock is a dominant tie that many wrestlers have difficulty defending. This will make your offense more effective. Learn the proper positioning to get into and use the front headlock. Reader covers three simple ways to get into a front headlock (including how not to get your arm trapped) from your feet:
- Meat hook - His favorite set-up to create space in order to secure a front headlock.
- Outside head pull - Great if you cannot create space off the meat hook.
- Push-Pull - Allows you to use an opponent's momentum when their head is underneath your chest.
He also goes over front headlock safety, shows two ways to counter common defense used by opponents, and the most effective way to finish a front headlock with a go behind.
Scoring with a Front Headlock
Reader demonstrates how to score with a front headlock based on realistic reactions that a wrestler might experience during a match.
- Shoulder Shimmy - Allows you free your elbow to score if your opponent is clamping down on your arm.
- Elbow Push - Used to score if your opponent reaches out and tries to block you from going behind them with their arm.
- Head Pull - An effective way to get your opponent's elbow to the mat and open your go behind to score.
- Big Step - Creates an angle to score on your opponent when they defend in a tripod and a head pull isn't working.
- Far Knee Tap - Great way to score when an opponent gains elbow control and is focused on clearing the front headlock.
Reader also covers how to clear a front head lock and several drills to help develop mastery from the front headlock, such as a push-pull drill, angle positioning drill, and a snap-hustle drill.
If you want to learn how to be able to get in the underhook position in order to attack or control your opponent, then this is the video for you!
70 minutes. 2017.