FOREWORD

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DED-.*T-O/
Special dedication to my lo'ely and understanding (ife 0ylinda$
my energetic and enthusiastic son .hristopher$ and my stunningly
beautiful daughter *llison.
%1ir& 2a(son
)o( to Wrestle
-/STR3.T-O/S
Based on the work of
FR*/1 *. 4OT.)
World5s .hampion Wrestler
6, 4EOR4E RO66-/S
of the Sporting Staff$ The .hicago Daily /e(s
.O7,R-4)TED 89:; 6, F. 2. STE-/
<<<<<
0*= STE-/ 7362-S)-/4 )O3SE
.hicago$ -ll.
-/TROD3.T-O/
<<<<<
*ll the (orld admires an honest battler. That
is (hy baseball has continued to gro( in popu%
larity and dra( immense cro(ds. The players
are on the s>uare and the fans &no( it. *nd
that is (hy Fran& *. 4otch attracted the largest
(restling cro(ds in modern times. 4otch has
been on the le'el and endo(ed (ith the
goods. )e has done more than any other influ%
ence to ma&e (restling popular in *merica.
The good &ing of S(eden$ ga?ing on @ames
Thorpe at the Olympian games$ declared him the
(orld5s greatest ath8ete$ but the monarch had
ne'er seen 4otch. The li&e of 4otch for speed$
the science of the holds and their counters$ for
strength and brain%(or& in action has ne'er been
seen in (restling.
There are four re>uirements of a great (res%
tler (ho can &eep a title for years (ithout ha'ing
his shoulders pinned to the padded can'asA
Strength$ endurance$ speed and s&ill. 7robably
no man in all the annals of (restling has had
these elements so mingled in him in the proper
proportions as Fran& 4otch.
The da??ling (hite lights (hich ha'e led so
many athletes astray in the hours of their prom%
:
inence and prosperity failed to (or& their charm
on the -o(a farm lad (hose athletic pro(ess$
early in his career$ made him independently
(ealthy. The old homestead at )umboldt had a
hold on his heart and life that ne'er loosened.
6lood (ill tell and so (ill the right home train%
ing. From the scenes of his triumphs 4otch
al(ays turned his face to(ard )umboldt. There
he married and there he resided$ esteemed not so
much as (orld5s champion (restler as the genial
neighbor$ prosperously pursuing his 'ocations of
farmer and business man. )is 8$"""%acre farm
(as (or&ed on scientific principles and his auto%
mobile business$ distributing its product far and
(ide.
Half Nelson and Crotch
The half nelson is the primal hold in (rest%
ling -t is considered the simplest grip in the
business$ yet it is important$ for an infinite num%
ber of combinations may be secured in conBunc%
tion (ith it. The most important of these is the
crotch$ a grip barred in 4reco%Roman (restlingC
but 4reco%Roman is only half (restlingDit bars
half the holds.
-n many of my hardest matches - ha'e
secured the crotch hold first by a ruse to get
some other grip. Then - fastened on a half nel%
son and retained the combination until my oppon%
ent succumbed. - defeated ,ussiff 0ammout$
the great 6ulgarian (restler$ in this (ay in our
match in .hicago se'eral years ago.
)o( the half nelson and crotch may be
secured is illustrated by the (ay - got it on 0ah%
mout.
0ahmout had put up a game battle. )e (as
beginning to (orry me a bit$ but - had figured
out the proper method of o'ercoming his crotch.
- put my hand bac& of his head and Ber&ed him
for(ard. This o'erbalanced him and$ continued$
enabled me to go behind him and (restle him to
the mat.
There is one thing 0ahmout had been caut%
ioned to a'oidDthe toe holdDbut that pro'ed his
do(nfall. When - made a motion to get this
grip he turned on his side to protect his toe.
!
*s he made this mo'e - thrust my right arm
through his legs for a crotch hold. )e tried to
spin out and as he did so$ half turning around$ -
slipped my left hand under his left arm and
completed the half nelson and crotch combination.
When - secured the half nelson - did not
place my hand on the 6ulgarian5s nec& as most
(restlers do. - rested it on the bac& of his head.
The pump bac& on the old farm at )umboldt
taught me the 'alue of this. -t is simply a pro%
plem in applied mathematics. The greatest lift%
ing po(er is e+erted (ith the hand on the bac&
of the head. -t gi'es one a better le'erage. 0ah%
mout (as forced to e+ert the same po(er (ith
the muscles of his nec& as (ith those of the nec&
and shoulders combined (hen the hand is placed
on the nec&. -t (as impossible for him to e+ert
such po(er$ for no li'ing man can do that.
Then there is another thing that should not
be o'erloo&edA When the crotch is secured along
(ith the half nelson$ one should ram the arm as
far under his opponent5s legs as possible. This
enables one to hold his opponent more securely
and gi'es the attac&er greater lifting po(er.
0ore than double the (eight can be lifted near
the shoulders than at armEs length.
Sometimes the half nelson is secured first
and (hen the defensi'e (restler is in the act of
spinning out the crotch is added. 0any forms
of the half nelson are employed. Farmer5 6urns
says he &no(s se'enteen. The grip is seldom
F
used$ ho(e'er$ e+cept in conBunction (ith other
holds and for the purpose of forcing a (restler
into unguarded positions. - ha'e (on a maBor%
ity of my matches (ith the half nelson as a part%
ial (eapon of offense.
)*2F /E2SO/ */D .ROT.)
G
Scissors on the Body
The scissors on the body is obtained on an
opponent (hen do(n on the mat and is usually
secured (hen in the act of rolling. -f on the left
side$ suddenly push his head do(n and secure a
half nelson (ith the left arm. While the defensi'e
(restler is in the act of resisting the hold Bump
in so that he (ill slip bet(een your legs and roll
o'er on his side as in the. illustration. The feet
may be grape'ined and pressure brought to bear
on the stomach and a fall is imminent.
9
S.-SSORS O/ T)E 6OD,
8"
Bar and Further Arm Hold
-f on the left side of the opponentC shoot the
left arm around and secure a further arm hold.
4et the hold under the head. *lmost simultan%
eously secure a bar hold under the left arm of the
defensi'e (restler (ith the right. Force up(ard
(ith the bar hold and pull for(ard (ith the
further arm grip. This (ill force the defensi'e
(restler to the mat (here the (eight can be
brought to bear on his chest until he sin&s in
defeat or the grip may be shifted to some other
hold and a fall secured.
88
6*R */D F3RT)ER *R0 )O2D
8H
Toe and Ankle Hold
This combination hold is secured (hen the
(restlers are on the mat. While (or&ing on the
right side$ the left foot of the defensi'e grappler
is dra(n up. The attac&er slides under right leg
of his opponent holding the toe grip. The defens%
i'e (restler is raised off the mat$ the attac&er
reaches under (ith his right hand and grasps
the imprisoned left an&le completing the hold.
-n this position the least t(ist is painful and the
defensi'e (restler (ill gladly succumb.
8:
TO */D */12E )O2D
Headlock
Follo(ers of (restling belie'e that the toe
hold is the most terrible grip in the game$ said
4otch$ but that is an erroneous idea. ,ou cannot
depri'e an opponent of life (ith the toe hold.
,ou can &ill (ith a flying mare$ a strangle hold
or a headloc&. The strangle hold is barred in
professional (restling$ but the flying mare and
headloc& are permissible.
-t is possible for a strong (restler to brea&
his opponent5s nec& by a >uic& (rench of the
head (ith a punishing headloc&. 7robably more
(restlers ha'e been &illed by the flying mare than
any other hold$ and this leads to the assertion
that fe( men of the mat are &illed in professio%
nal matches. * (restler of small stature may
become a giant in relati'e (restling ability after
perfecting a headloc& or some form of this grip.
- ha'e used the headloc& in fe( of my
matchesC although it is a splendid means of (in%
ning (hen pitted against a dangerous opponent.
- defeated @en&ins at .le'eland$ (ith a form of
the headloc&.
The headloc& is secured in t(o (ays. -t may
be placed on a (restler (hen he is on his hands
and &nees on the mat$ and in this position an
arm is usually loc&ed (ith the head. -f the at%
tac&er is on the right side$ he may push do(n
the head of his opponent$ resting his left arm
hea'ily on the head. )e reaches under his oppo%
8;
nent5s right arm and grabs his o(n left hand Bust
belo( the (rist. -n this (ay the head may be
dra(n to(ard the arm (ith (hich it is securely
loc&ed against the attac&er. The right arm of
the defensi'e (restler is helpless and he may be
dra(n to the side and easily forced to the mat.
)E*D )O2D
6eell5s headloc&$ ho(e'er$ does not include
an arm. This is a form of the headloc& - ha'e
used at times$ but ha'e relin>uished it (hen it
might inBure an opponent. -t is secured (hen the
opponent is in a standing position.
The attac&er may pull do(n his opponent5s
head$ reaching o'er his head (ith his left hand.
With his right hand he reaches under the head
of his opponent and grasps his o(n left hand
Bust belo( the (rist. The attac&ers left hand
fits into the Ba( of the defensi'e (restler on the
right side. The head is dra(n in and loc&ed.
Then the t(ist may be applied and the defensi'e
(restler dra(n to the mat. 6eell5s short arm
and great strength in his arms and shoulders
ma&e him peculiarly constructed% by nature to
apply this grip.
Tom @en&ins defeated me (ith 6eell5s form
of the headloc& in one of the toughest matches
of my life later at .le'eland. Some could not
understand (hy - lost to @en&ins. The headloc&
defeated me. -t (ill defeat any man (hen secur%
ed by a (restler as strong as @en&ins. )e secured
this Ba( loc& on me (hile (e (ere standing. -
tried in 'ain to e+tricate myself. @en&ins applied
the t(ist$ and - began to thin& of all the mean
things - had e'er done. - (anted my head for
future use$ so - dropped to the mat. @en&ins
retained the hold$ and (hen he pinned me (ith
it$ - determined he (ould ne'er get that grip on
me again.
8F
Grapvine Hold
Of the many (eapons of attac& in the mat
repertory of the (orld5s champion$ the grape'ine
hold deser'es special mention. 4otch has pinned
fe( dangerous opponents (ith this hold for decid%
ing falls$ but it is among the foremost of the
subordinate holds used by him in leading up to
the effecti'e combinations (ith (hich he (on
the maBority of his hard matches. The lightning
li&e rapidity (ith (hich the champion shifted
from one hold to another be(ildered his less alert
opponents and enabled him to tric& them into
dangerous positions.
The grape'ine as used by 4otch is one of the
shifts (hereby he secured his half nelson and
crotch.
4otch made the grape'ine shift (hen o'er his
opponent on the mat. When the defensi'e (rest%
ler (as on his hands and &nees$ 4otch held him
do(n by (or&ing bac& and (ell to the side$ grasp%
ing his 'ictim5s near leg near the crotch. The
(orld5s champion feinted for a further leg or arm
hold or some other grip to distract his opponent5s
attention. *s the latter (as loo&ing a(ay from
the real point of attac&$ 4otch suddenly raised
his opponent5s near leg and$ if (or&ing on the
left side$ Bumped in (ith his right leg under the
leg of his opponent$ (hich had been raised. With
his right leg he grape'ined the 'ictim5s far leg.
With this le'erage the champion turned his oppo%
8I
nent easily. The imprisoned leg of the defensi'e
(restler (as thus rendered po(erless. *s the
opponent turned 4otch suddenly re'ersed the hold
into a half nelson (ith a crotch.
-t (as told 4otch in 8988 that an *merican
(restler (ho (ished to see him defeated had been
tutoring )ac&enschmidt against the grape'ine
hold leading to the half nelson and crotch.
The (orld5s champion laughed at the story.
)e said the Russian 2ion (as pri'ileged to
practice the maneu'er all he pleased$ but he (ould
defeat him in one fall by this same ruse.
This remar&able prediction actually came to
pass. When )ac&enschmidt met 4otch for the
second time in .hicago he (as coached to the
minute to a'oid this rapid%fire attac& of 4otch.
-t (as the means of his do(nfall in the first bout.
4otch put )ac& off his guard$ raised his near leg$
grape'ined his far one and then re'ersed it into
a half nelson and crotch$ (ith (hich the 2ion
(as pinned for the first fall in the bitterest
defeat of his career.
The grape'ine may be secured on the arm$ and
(ith the aid of a cross buttoc& an opponent may
be hurled hea'ily to the can'as. 4otch has sel%
dom used this grip$ ho(e'er. )e has a'oided
holds (hereby an opponent might be &illed in
flying falls$ but has used his >uic& brain to
ad'antage in crushing his opponents by rapid
maneu'ering in straight (restling.
8G
89
4otch has seldom used the grape'ine in pin%
ning an opponent. )is defeat of 7oliceman @ohn
@. Rooney in .hicago (ith a grape'ine and ham%
merloc& (as an e+ception.
4R*7EJ-/E */D )E*D 2O.1
H"
Half Nelson
The half nelson is the commonest grip in the
business and may be secured from either side.
0ost (restlers prefer the left side for the simple
reason that southpa(s are a scarcity. * (rest%
ler li&es his right hand$ (hich he can use more
adeptly$ to be free for attac&ing purposes. -f
the attac&er is on the left side he inserts his
left hand under the left arm of his opponent. -
sho'e my left hand o'er my opponentEs head$
says 4otch$ gi'ing me a stronger le'erage than
can be obtained on the nec&. -t is best to (or&
(ell to the side to pre'ent an opponent counter%
ing (ith an arm loc& for a side roll or some other
grip. When the le'erage has been secured$ the
attac&er pushes against opponent5s side (ith an
up(ard motion applying the le'erage until his
man is turned o'er$ (hen other grips must be
applied.
.ounters for the half nelson seen in almost
e'ery match are the head spin$ the side roll and
coming to a sitting posture.
H8
)*2F /E2SO/
HH
Quarter Nelson
The The >uarter nelson is not used much by pro%
fessional (restlers e+cept in shifting to other
grips$ -f on the right side of the opponent$ the
aggressor thrusts his left hand under the right
arm pit of the defensi'e grappler. This mo'e is
s made simultaneously (ith the placing of the right
hand of the aggressor on the bac& of the head of
the opponent$ palm do(n. The aggressor grasps
his o(n right (rist (ith his left hand. The pres%
sure may then be applied and the opponent (or%
ried into other holds li&e the chancery$ half nel%
son$ etc.
H:
K3*RTER /E2SO/
Three-Quarter Nelson
The attac&er$ if on the right side$ first gets a
half nelson (ith his right arm under the right
arm of his opponent and o'er the bac& of the
head to secure the most po(erful le'erage. With
his left hand the aggressor reaches under the
chest of his opponent and loc&s the fingers of his
hands as seen in the accompanying picture$ or
he may grasp his right (rist (ith his left hand.
With this le'erage or pull$ the defensi'e (restler
is dra(n do(n och compelled to roll (hen the
aggressor may pounce on him and secure some
other hold.
ou!le Nelson
The full nelson is a punishing hold and is used
little in championship matches. -f on the left
side$ push opponent5s head do(n (ith the right
hand$ secure the half nelson (ith the left handD
that is the near nelson first. *s the attac&er
applies the le'erage (ith his left hand he almost
simultaneously reaches o'er and secures the fur%
ther nelson (ith his right. The left (rist of his
o(n hand may be grasped (ith the right or the
fingers may be interlaced and the opponent5s
head dra(n do(n in such a position that he is
practically helpless.
This is a dangerous hold that is difficult to
retain on an opponent (hose nec& muscles are
highly de'eloped. Se'eral (restlers ha'e been
&illed (ith this hold$ ha'ing their nec&s bro&en.
H;
H!
DO362E /E2SO/
HF
Further Nelson
-f on the right side of the defensi'e (restler$
the aggressor reaches o'er (ith his o(n left hand
and secures a half nelson as in the accompanying
illustration. The aggressor places his hand$ palm
do(n on the bac& of the defensi'e (restler5s
head. The le'erage may then be applied and the
head of the defensi'e (restler pulled under. One
may escape from a further nelson by the head
spinDor by bridging and thro(ing the feet bac&
o'er the body of the aggressor and spinning out.
HI
F3RT)ER /E2SO/
"rist #ook and Arm and #e$ Grapevine Hold
This hold is secured by the under (restler
(hen his opponent is (or&ing o'er him. The
defensi'e or under (restler grasps the left (rist
of his opponent (ith his right hand. )e encircles
his left arm (ith his o(n left for the arm grape%
'ine as in the picture. *t the same time he
grape'ines the left leg of the aggressor (ith his
o(n left leg as in the illustration. )e then
bridges$ applying the combined (rist loclg and
grape'ine t(ist$ dra(ing his opponent under him
for a fall.
HG
H9
WR-ST 2O.1 */D *R0 */D 2E4 4R*7EFJ-/E )O2D
:"
ou!le Arm #ock
This hold is a counter for the double nelson
and is secured by the defensi'e (restler (hen
under his opponent on the mat. -t is one of the
ad'antages of being the under dog. -t is often
secured (hen the aggressor has become careless
and dangles his arms under the arm pits of the
defensi'e (restler. To e+ecute the double arm
loc& for a side roll$ the defensi'e (restler bides
his time until the attac&er becomes careless in
going after further grips. The (rists of the
attac&er may be caught almost simultaneously
and dra(n do(n. The defensi'e (restler should
dra( his opponent do(n until he can clamp his
arms abo'e the elbo(s. and if on the left side
close in and pull opponent to the right. The
defensi'e (restler should brace his feet$ pull his
opponent under him and shift (ell to the side.
-n this (ay the defensi'e man has become the
aggressor and put the attac&er in a bad (ay.
:8
DO362E *R0 2O.1 FOR S-DE RO22
:H
Flyin$ %are
The flying mare is a dangerous hold that may
result fatally$ as it causes the opponent to be
hurled 'iolently o'er the head of the agressor.
-f the agressor sei?es his opponent5s (rist (ith
both hands$ steps in (ith his bac& to his oppo%
nent$ dra(s the arm o'er his right shoulder$ step%
ping to the right$ the defensi'e (restler is thus
helpless. With the arm as le'er the aggressor
suddenly bends for(ard$ gi'es his o(n hips an
up(ard t(itch and pulls for(ard on the imprison%
ed arm. The defensi'e (restler (ill be plunged
headlong o'er the shoulder of the aggressor and
fall hea'ily to the mat.
::
F2,-/4 0*RE
:;
Chancery& Arm #ock and Cross Buttock
This hold is secured (hen the (restlers are
on their feet. The attac&er grasps the right
(rist of his opponent (ith both hands$ pulls him
in and steps outside and behind the defensi'e
(restler5s near leg as in the accompanying
picture. *lmost simultaneously the aggressor
encircle the head of his opponent (ith his right
arm$ retaining the grip on his opponent5s right
member (ith his left hand as in the picture. The
defensi'e (restler is then thro(n for(ard o'er
the hip of the aggressor (hen the holds may be
retained or other combinations secured.
:!
.)*/.ER,$ *R0 2O.1 */D .ROSS 63TTO.1
:F
Crotch #ift and Force o'n !y the ou!le #e$ Hold
When on the mat$ reach o'er (ith both hands$
lift opponent by his far leg$ raise him and bear
do(n (eight on head and shoulder. The oppo%
nent5s legs are thus s(ung o'er the shoulder.
Shift the hold so that the opponent is caught
bet(een the legs (ith a re'erse (aist hold. -n
this position the full (eight of the attac&er is
born do(n on the opponent until he is gradually
forced from a bridge to the mat.
This peculiar hold also may be secured by
plunging for(ard and getting a double leg hold
and lifting the defensi'e (restler from the mat.
The re'erse (aist hold is secured and the oppo%
nent falls bac& (ith. his face upturned. -t is
difficult to escape from this hold.
:I
.ROT.) 2-FT */D FOR.E%DOW/ 6, DO362E 2E4 )O2D
:G
Chancery and Bar Arm
This hold may be obtained from a standing
position. When sparring for holds$ the attac&er
may (or& his opponent into a for(ard chancery
by encircling the head (ith his right hand. .han%
cery means ha'ing the head caught and securely
held under the arm of an opponent.
Then the bar arm may be added almost simul%
taneously by thrusting the left hand under the
right arm of the opponent and applying the le'er%
age. The opponent in this position is in a help%
less condition. and may be dra(n to the mat.
Step bac&$ dra( opponent5s head in close and
apply the le'erage until he falls to the mat.
:9
.)*/.ER */D 6*R *R0
Crotch and Arm #ift
This is a common shift in (restling and has
been brought to perfection by *mericus$ one of
the fastest of all light hea'y%(eight (restlers.
-t is secured (hen standing and sparring for
holds. 4rab opponent5s right (rist$ pull it in$
drop to right &nee.
Thrust head under right arm pit and at the
same time secure a leg grip (ith the right hand$
pitching opponent for(ard. * fall may not be
secured as a result of a tumble from this combi%
nation$ but it may be re'ersed into other gripsD
sometimes the half nelson and crotch.
;"
;8
.ROT.) */D *R0 2-FT
;H
Bar and Toe #ock
-n this combination the attac&er proceeds as
in getting the toe hold o'er the leg. When this$
hold has been secured$ the aggressor suddenly
shifts the imprisoned foot from the left hand$ if
(or&ing that (ay$ to the Boint of the left arm$
at the same time cra(ling for(ard and applying
the bar hold (ith the right hand as in the illus%
tration.
;:
6*R *R0 */D TOE 2O.1
Stran$le Hold
The strangle hold is a discarded relic of the
early ages of (restling. -t is rightfully barred
from championship matches$ but still may be an
effecti'e means of defense in handling a bully
or sa'ing one5s life in a personal encounter (ith
a robber or murderer.
-t is the most dangerous grip in (restling$
and yet the old timers used to employ it >uite
often. -n my match (ith Tom @en&ins at 6elling%
ham$ Wash.$ (hen - (on the *merican champion%
ship$ he put a strangle hold on me after - had
(on the first fall. )is po(erful arms and great
strength made it difficult for me to e+tricate
myself.
0addened o'er the loss of the first fall and
the peril of losing the championship$ (hich he
had held for si+ years$ @en&ins charged at me
furiously in the second bout and in a mi+%up
(or&ed himself behind me. )e slipped his left
forearm under my chin and bore the (eight of
his right arm against the top of my head$ tighten%
ing his grip and completing a strangle hold$ from
(hich it (ould ha'e been impossible for a (ea&
man to escape.
There is only one (ay in (hich to brea&
this hold$ and one cannot linger$ as delay may
pro'e fatal. That is to employ both hands in
grasping the aggressor5s left member belo( the
elbo($ and thus lessening the hea'y pressure on
;;
the *dam5s apple. -f one possesses great strength
it is possible to brea& the hold. -$ employed this
method in escaping from @en&ins.
*lthough the strangle hold is barred no(a%
days$ it is used more or less in many matches.
Wrestlers get it (hen attempting to obtain other
holds$ sometimes by mista&e. -t (ea&ens an op%
ponent$ and if continued might pro'e fatal.
;!
F*R0ER 63R/S -223STR*T-/4 STR*/42E )O2D
;F
(nside Crotch Shift
This hold is secured by the defensi'e (restler
(hen going after theLtoe hold or ma&ing a feint
for an an&le hold. -n almost e'ery match (hen
the (restlers are do(n on the mat and one is
(or&ing on the side$ the defensi'e (restler is
seen to straighten out his near leg (hen attac&ed.
-f the aggressor is on the right side (hen his
opponent straightens out in this fashion$ he re%
tains his hold on the an&le and raise this leg. )e
grasps his opponent5s left thigh underneath his
body (ith his right hand$ pulling him in close and
at the same time stepping inside the crotch (ith
his left leg$ he shifts both hands to encircle his
opponent5s body$ re'ersing his leg grips into a
double body hold. The defensi'e (restler in this
position is forced to turn slightly to the right
(hen the hold may be >uic&ly re'ersed into a
crotch and half nelson and a fall secured.
;I
-/S-DE .ROT.) S)-FT
;G
Back Hammer and Half Nelson
Secure a half nelson first. -f on the left side$
the nelson is secured (ith the left hand of the
attac&er. Reach o'er and grasp the opponent5s
right (rist (ith the right hand and dra( it up
the bac&. This is a punishing combination that
may (ea&en the arm and render it po(erless.
With the le'erage and (rist hold both arms of
the opponent are out of commission.
;9
)*00ER2O.1 */D )*2F /E2SO/
!"
Chancery and Crotch
This results from a half nelson and crotch
and is one (ay of holding a (restler (ith this
combination.
When an opponent has been (or&ed to the
mat$ if on the right side get a half nelson and
(ith the le'erage turn him o'er far enough to
get a crotch. The (restler has tried to spin out$
but has been halted by the combined force of the
half nelson and crotch. *s the defensi'e (restler
raises his head the attac&er may encircle his head
and retain the crotch hold$ completing the chan%
cery and crotch. -t pre'ents the under (restler
from bridging. The attac&er is in a position to
bear his full (eight on the defensi'e (restler5s$
shoulders. )e may rest on his elbo(s$ but the
aggressor can pull him for(ard (ith the crotch
hold until he bladly submits.
!8
.)*/.ER, */D .ROT.)
!H
)everse Nelson and Bar #ock
This hold is started the (ay the hammerloc&
is usually (or&ed. 4et inside arm and (or& it
up (ith le'erage$ using both hands. When the
double le'erage is secured let go suddenly and as
the defensi'e (restler turns on side to resist it$
shoot the right hand around the head of the oppo%
nent for the re'erse nelson and bar loc&.
!:
REJERSE /E2SO/ */D 6*R1 2O.1
!;
Half Nelson and Toe #ock
When the defensi'e (restler is do(n on the
mat$ the aggressor gets a half nelson and tips his
man to the side. -f (or&ing on the right side$ as
in the illustration$ the half nelson is secured (ith
the right arm. With the left hand the aggressor
* reaches o'er and pulls up the far foot of the
opponent and tips him o'er (ith the combination.
The left hand encircles the right thigh of the
opponent$ ma&ing the grip doubly effecti'e.
!!
)*2F /E2SO/ */D TOE 2O.1
Hammerlock and Bar Hammerlock
There are se'eral 'arieties of the hammer%
loc&$ said 4otch. The hold is usually secured
(hen (or&ing o'er an opponent on the mat. The
aggressor reaches inside the left arm of his oppo%
nent and grasps his hand (ith his o(n right
hand if (or&ing on the left side. The attac&er
also grasps his opponent5s fingers (ith his left
hand. )e (or&s the imprisoned hand up and
bac&$ using the le'erage thus obtained to accom%
plish his purpose. When the imprisoned member
is pulled bac&$ the grip may be retained (ith one
of the attac&er5s hands and a (aistloc& added to
force bac& the hand to(ard the shoulder blades.
- defeated @ohn @. Rooney$ a .hicago police%
man$ (ith the hammerloc&$ using Farmer 6urns5
method of getting the bac& hammerloc&. - grasped
Rooney5s right hand and pushed my head into
his right arm pit. Suddenly - Ber&ed his right
bac&$ caught his arm abo'e the elbo( and thre(
my (eight for(ard$ forcing his right shoulder
to the mat. )is arm in this (ay (as imprisoned.
-t (as only necessary then to change my position
and force the imprisoned arm bac& for the ham%
merloc&. The arm may be sho'ed bac& to the
shoulder blades$ (hen the defensi'e (restler (ill
gladly submit$ turning o'er on his bac&.
The hammerloc& is usually secured in con%
Bunction (ith some other hold. * hammerloc&
and grape'ine or a hammerloc& and crotch are
!F
'ery effecti'e combinations$ but not easy to
secure on strong opponents.
To get the bar hammerloc& on the opponent5s
left side (or& the hammerloc& hold$ applying the
double le'erage (ith both hands. Retain the
hammerloc& (ith the left hand. Release the right
and shoot it under the arm resting it on the left
shoulder of the defensi'e (restler as in the illu%
stration. This completes the bar hammerloc&Da
punishing grip. The opponent (i8l gladly roll on
his bac&.
!I
6*R )*00ER2O.1
!G
Toe Hold *ver the #e$f
When - (as in England trying to force )ac%
&enschmidt out of his shell$ - (as as&ed >uite
often to e+plain the toe hold$ related 4otch.
* sporting (riter as&ed me (hether -
thought it right to use such a painful grip. )e
said it (as against the rules to t(ist a (restlers
finger and it (as certainly Bust as unfair to
t(ist one of his toes. To ha'e ans(ered that
>uestion (ould ha'e spoiled a good Bo&e$ but it
e+presses the general idea of the toe hold$ (hich
is an erroneous one.
One day (hen - had been (restling in .in%
cinnati a ne(spaper man (anted me to sho(
him ho( - secured the toe hold. - told him to
get do(n on the floor and - (ould sho( him a
touch of real life.
M4otch bent o'er me$5 said this (riter$
Mtoyed a (hile (ith one of my feet$ then >uic&ly
grabbed the other and ga'e it a t(ist. - loo&ed
for a nice clean spot on (hich to put my shoulders
to &eep my leg from snapping off. - (anted the
leg for future use. -t felt as though 4otch
(anted to ta&e it along (ith him. *t that he
e+erted only a fe( pounds pressure.5
This (riter had caught the principal idea of
the toe holdDthe idea of le'erage. - made a
study of mechanics and it (as there that -
learned the true 'alue of le'erage in (restling.
!9
TOE )O2D OJER T)E 2E4
The plan of this and other such holds is to ma&e
one5s opponent use many times more po(er to
resist one than the attac&er e+erts in his aggres%
si'e mo'es. - ha'e (restled stronger men than -
am$ but in e'ery mo'e - try to ma&e my opponent
use more strength than - do. -n this (ay he
tires much >uic&er. )e is fighting himself and
his opponent much of the time.
The defensi'e (restler must be on his hands
and &nees on the mat in order to (or& the toe
hold o'er the leg. *n opponent may lie flat on
the mat of his o(n accord and if he refuses to
ta&e this means of resting up$ he may be forced
do(n by superior strength or by suddenly raising
him by the near leg and lunging him for(ard.
-n this position the attac&er straddles and
sits on the near leg of the defensi'e (restler
abo'e the &nee. )e feints for the further foot
of his opponent. When the defensi'e (restler
shifts to protect his foot$ the near one may be
grasped >uic&ly and raised up o'er the attac&er5s
leg.
This plunges the head of the defensi'e (rest%
ler for(ard on his face. -t brings his (eight to
bear on his o(n imprisoned leg in such a (ay as
to ma&e him share in the le'erage that is e+erted
by the completed hold.
The imprisoned leg should be dra(n up as
F"
high as possible to gi'e the longest le'erage$ in
(hich position it is possible for a small man to
hold a giant. This (or&s on the same principle
as the handle of a pump. * small child may
grasp the end of a pump handle and ma&e it
(or&$ but it (ould ta&e a strong man to grasp
the handle near the top and bring a flo( of
a>ua pura.
There seems a mo'ement in some >uarters
to bar the toe hold in championship matches.
Well$ - (on5t mourn its loss if the grip has to go
but - thin& it has a rightful place Bust as cer%
tainly as the headloc&$ hammerloc& and se'eral
forms of the (rist loc&. - probably (ould ha'e
(on e'ery match that (ent to my credit if the
toe hold had been barred. With the toe hold
o'er the leg$ to (hich the pricipal obBection is
made$ - ha'e (on a small portion of my matches.
Donelson$ Rooney$ Raoul De Rouen$ )arrington
and 4rant are a fe( on (hom - ha'e affi+ed toe
holds and (on. - defeated most of my opponents$
ho(e'er$ (ith other grips.
-n grasping the foot to pull it o'er the leg$
the attac&er should catch it Bust belo( the toes.
The attac&er usually disco'ers that the muscles
of the leg are rela+ed$ sho(ing the defensi'e
(restler (as off his guard.
F8
FH
Gotch+s Famous Toe Hold
- ha'e often been as&ed$ said 4otch$ ho(
and (hen - disco'ered the toe hold. That is a
pretty hard >uestion to ans(er. Farmer 6urns
and - (or&ed out the problem of the toe hold
(restling in -o(a. - thin& - used it first on
Scott 0iller. - pulled the foot o'er the leg and
applied the le'erage. The other toe hold$ and the
one - employ the most$ (as (or&ed out later.
There are se'eral 'arieties of toe holds and
loc&s$ but the one - use most and the one (hich
(riters call Mthe famous toe hold$5 consists of
getting the opponent5s foot in a 'ise in (hich the
toes and an&le are the points of attac&. -t is
often confused (ith the toe hold o'er the leg$ but
the t(o grips are distinct.
-t is important first of all to ha'e one5s
opponent in the proper position to begin the
preliminary mo'es for the toe hold. When an
opponent is on the mat$ suppose the attac&er is
on the right side. The (restler (ho is the under
dog5 must be on his hands and &nees for the
attac&er to ma&e the shift that traps his oppo%
nent5s further foot.
The attac&er from this position holds his
opponent to the mat by grasping the right leg
high up (ith both hands$ (or&ing (ell to the
side. With his right hand the attac&er reaches
inside the crotch from the front$ grasping his
opponent5s left an&le. With the left hand he
grasps his opponent5s foot near the toes$ almost
simultaneously straddling the near leg of his
opponent and pulling up on the imprisoned foot.
The opponent5s right leg in this (ay is trapped
and his left foot is out of commission. When
the left leg has been imprisoned in this (ay for
a fe( seconds$ the muscles rela+ and the member
becomes po(erless. The attac&er then pulls up and
may apply the t(ist to the toe hold. )is head
may be used as an instrument of attac& in forcing
an opponent5s shoulders to the mat.
Since the left leg of the defensi'e (restler
has become ineffecti'e by being imprisoned in this
(ay$ the an&le hold may be released and the toe
hold easily retained. The free right hand of the
attac&er then may be used in forcing the shoulders
of the defensi'e (restler to the mat. Since the
under (restler has turned on his side$ the half nel%
son may be affi+ed and the opponent pinned (ith
the half nelson and the toe hold or the toe hold
released and the crotch and nelson applied. The
toe hold may be used alone.
F;