Deconstructing the Pinch Headlock (diary entry)

17.01.2024 My 1.5 hour client focused entirely on the Greco-Roman Wrestling hold, the pinch headlock. This was at his request as he struggled to implement it in the previous lesson. Therefore, we looked at a series of activities to better apply and integrate it into grappling. After some Wrestling callisthenics, we drilled bulling (collar and elbow ties), pummelling (over-hook/under-hook) and shoulder pummelling (arm-drags). Then we took the two main techniques involved in the pinch headlock - the single collar tie and the under-hook - and isolated them in the following two-minute rounds of specific sparring:

1. Collar and elbow tie only sparring - the objective is dominate and break posture using these two holds

2. Over-hook/under-hook only sparring - the objective is to get both under-hooks, take the back or break the posture of the opponent

Next, I felt it was time to properly go back over the pinch headlock and three obvious takedowns. We confirmed the hold and then performed the headlock takedown, the crunch takedown and the waistlock takedown. Now it was time to test the hold with the following two-minute rounds of specific sparring:

1. Takedowns with the pinch headlock in place

2. Ditto

3. Entry only to neck-tie and under-hook position - the fighter attempts to get this position

We then moved onto our 3-minute rounds.

1. Objective to enter into a pinch headlock and complete a takedown

2. Ditto

3. Greco-Roman sparring only - this now allows for full integration of the technique

4. Ditto

5. Freestyle Wrestling sparring

The lesson finished with 10 minutes of PNF stretching. https://clubbchimera.com/services/