The Disadvantages Of An Arm Wrestler

On the surface, arm wrestling may appear to be nothing more than two people finding out whose arm is stronger and perhaps when two inexperienced arm wrestlers face off, it is little more than that. In professional practice, arm wrestling is a chess match, as much about using mental strength as physical, played out on a surface where size and power can be combated with skilled technique and knowledge of the body and the game. But inexperienced arm wrestlers face some disadvantages.

Using Only One Muscle

26-time world champion Allen Fisher is the only professional arm wrestler to run hands-on training camps. The one rookie mistake consistently seen by Fisher during his sessions is the use of only the triceps while arm wrestling. This common misconception makes it easier for an experienced arm wrestler to separate a novice from his muscles and pin the back of his hand to the wood. It is important to also use the forearm, bicep, shoulder, pectoral, back and lat muscles. "You want to incorporate muscles, not muscle," Fisher said. "All these muscles are connected together, so how can you eliminate one or more of them?"

Lack of Technique

Arm wrestling is not strictly akin to the movement of a metronome, with eternally postured side-to-side movement -- arm wrestling takes technique. One of the most popular moves, the top roll, requires moving the hand toward the face and bending the wrist and takes concentration to execute. Technique can be used as an offensive move or potentially a counter to neutralize an opponent's offense. John Brzenk, considered by many to be the best arm wrestler in the history of the sport, said, "Unlike chess, arm wrestling requires strength to execute technique. It will require strength on your part to control the match into a position that's most uncomfortable for your opponent."

Lack of Focus

When Allen Fisher faced Mike McGraw at Ultimate Arm Wrestling 2004 in Las Vegas, he knew McGraw was beaten before he reached the table. To Fisher, McGraw looked to have the demeanor of a defeated man -- he just wasn't there. Focus puts you in tune with your goal. Early in his career, before a match, Fisher looked like demon possessed, ready to rip the wood off the arm wrestling table. "When you are mainly focused on what you are there for, you hear nothing," Fisher said. "You don't hear 'ready, go,' you don't hear the crowd screaming, every sound is cut off."

Injuries Because of Poor Technique

A lot of the more serious injuries in the sport come from inexperience coupled with the tremendous strain on an arm during a match. Unbalanced shoulders pushing at a negative angle from your hand causes unneeded pressure on your arm and, with the right amount of pressure, a snap. These injuries are usually to the humerus and can, in most instances, be avoided by knowing proper technique.