Originating in Lancashire, Northern England, in the late 19th century from various folk wrestling styles. It gained popularity in carnival sideshows and became a foundation for professional wrestling. It heavily influenced modern submission wrestling and early mixed martial arts through figures like Karl Gotch and Billy Robinson.
Emphasizes practicality, aggressive submission hunting ("hooking"), and physical toughness. It often involves controlling an opponent through painful holds and "rides" to break them down. Unlike Judo or BJJ, there is less emphasis on specific positions and more on continuous offensive pressure and finding submissions from any position.
Strengthens neck muscles crucial for enduring cranks and controlling head position. Perform with caution and proper form.
Simulates pulling and twisting motions used in many Catch Wrestling locks and takedowns. Improves grip strength and rotational power.
Improves footwork, speed, and coordination, essential for quick entries into submissions and dynamic transitions.
Traditional conditioning exercises that build endurance, functional strength, and flexibility, often associated with old-school wrestlers.
Key Techniques
Purpose: To hyperextend the shoulder joint, forcing a submission.
A shoulder lock where the attacker isolates an opponent's arm by grabbing their wrist with one hand and threading their other arm under the opponent's, gripping their own wrist to create a figure-four.
Purpose: To cause pain and potential injury to the ankle joint, leading to a submission.
A foot lock that involves twisting or hyperextending the ankle or foot, typically by controlling the toes and heel.
Purpose: To force a submission through pain and pressure on the cervical spine.
A submission hold that applies pressure to the neck by wrenching the head, often from a front headlock position.
Purpose: A dangerous submission that can cause serious ligament damage to the knee.
A leg lock that involves twisting the foot and ankle in such a way that pressure is applied to the knee joint.
Purpose: To control, pin, and submit an opponent by applying intense pressure to the neck and shoulder.
A painful pinning and submission hold involving a crossface to turn the opponent's head and a "chicken wing" arm lock to control and torque the shoulder.
Purpose: Can be used for control, to set up other submissions, or as a submission itself (e.g., body scissors, neck scissors).
Various holds where the legs are used to trap and apply pressure to an opponent's body, neck, or limbs.
Purpose: To control and pin an opponent, often turning them onto their back.
A pinning combination where one or both arms are passed under the opponent's arms from behind and linked at the neck or head.
Purpose: To force a submission through pain in the ankle and Achilles tendon.
A submission hold that applies pressure to the Achilles tendon and ankle joint by hyperextending the foot.