Good Wrestling Moves For Lanky Guys

Successful wrestlers are often stocky. They have short, strong legs to resist takedown attempts. Their shorter stature means more of their weight is composed of muscle, which can be an advantage in a sport with weight classes. However, lanky athletes can still be successful by focusing on moves that take advantage of their natural reach and the increased leverage that comes from having longer limbs.

Ankle Pick

An ankle pick is a takedown that makes maximum use of a lanky wrestler's long arms. To perform an ankle pick, you run forward and drop to your knees as you pass by your opponent. On your way past his legs, you reach out and grab his ankle, holding on to it as you return to standing. From that position, you can take your opponent down by tripping his other leg. Taller wrestlers with longer arms can often surprise an opponent with this move because you can reach his leg from farther away than he thinks.

Leg Ride

Leg rides are a way of turning an opponent onto his back to score near-fall points or transition into a pinning combination. To execute a leg ride, start on top of your opponent with both of you facing the mat. Wrap one leg around your opponent's hip and twine it around his leg. Capture one shoulder and push with your hips as you pull to twist his upper body. Your longer limbs will add torque to this move, making it harder to resist than if you were shorter.

Cradle

Cradles are some of the most iconic pinning combinations of wrestling, consisting of wrapping a wrestler's neck and one or both legs. With your opponent trapped like this, you can maneuver him onto his back and hold him there until the referee calls the pin. Lanky wrestlers with longer arms will find cradles easier to apply because they can reach farther to capture the two body parts needed to make the technique work.

Half Nelson

Half nelsons require leverage in general, but a lanky wrestler can generate additional leverage thanks to the length of the arm. Use a half nelson to turn an opponent over if he's lying flat on his stomach. To execute a half nelson, you slide one arm under your opponent's arm pit, then place the palm of that hand on his head. You push your hand down while raising your elbow to lever your opponent over onto his back. Because lanky wrestlers have longer forearms, this move will be easier.