Wrestling has a visible presence in American high schools and colleges, as well as in other countries across the world, especially in the Middle East and eastern Europe. It is growing in popularity in other areas, primarily because of the success experienced by wrestlers crossing over to mixed martial arts competitions, such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Whether you are interested in collegiate folkstyle wrestling, Greco-Roman or freestyle, or in mixed martial arts competition, you will learn all manners of takedowns and pins. However, the most spectacular sight in wrestling might be the slam.
Step 1
Practice on a wrestling dummy or a punching bag that has had its chains removed. This will minimize the risk of injury to a partner and allow you to practice techniques on your own. If you are learning with a partner, you can practice first on a crash mat to soften the impact, or practice controlling your partner's descent instead of slamming him to the ground.
Step 2
Take a secure grip of your opponent or wrestling dummy. You can execute slams from all sorts of positions, but the most common is when you have your arms clasped around your opponent's waist with double underhooks, or if you have linked your arms between his legs in the high crotch position.
Step 3
Lift him high in the air while maintaining as much control over his body as possible. You should attempt to keep correct form throughout, lifting with your legs and driving upward with your hip as much as possible, rather than trying to lift with your lower back or arms. By stepping forward, bumping your hips through his and driving with your hips, it becomes easier to launch him into the air, leaning slightly back and shelving his weight on your hips.
Step 4
Turn your opponent in the air so you are slamming him onto his front or back. It is pointless to slam him feet first and it is illegal to slam someone into the ground head first. To do this, you can place your head on one side of his body and drive against him to turn him, or you can lift one leg off the ground and tap the side of your leg with the inside of your knee to rotate your opponent. If possible, you can do both, tilting his upper body one way with head pressure and assisting with your knee on his lower body.
Step 5
Slam your opponent to the ground. The easiest way is to bend your legs as if you are squatting to the ground while bending at the waist as well. You can also jump at the ground if you feel confident. Ensure that he lands underneath you, so he is pinned between you and the mat and absorbs the full impact of the slam.
Tips and Warnings
- Seek advice from an experienced coach if possible to ensure correct form and minimize the risk of injury to yourself and your training partners. Make sure you train in a suitable environment, preferably a wrestling hall or other matted area. Wrestling is difficult on your body, especially being slammed or picking someone up and slamming him, so ensure you are in proper shape before you train.
- Wrestling slams place a high impact on the body. If you are being slammed, it is important not to reach out with your arms to try and stop the impact as this can lead to serious injury. If you are throwing someone, it is important to land correctly to minimize the risk of injury to yourself. Slams are a full-contact activity and carry a risk of injury.
References
- "Wrestling for Fighting"; Randy Couture; 2007
- "Boxing Mastery"; Mark Hatmaker; 2004
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