#4: Single Defense & Shin Whizzer

This is a powerful form of a whizzer that can completely stop an outside single or low leg single in its tracks. With a traditional whizzer, we'll drive our opponent forward and grab our shin. Then we'll put as much pressure on our opponent's shoulder as possible so he can't regain any ground. This is a high level defense which you'll see used often within scrambles in college and high-school. It's imperative that we know how to use it and that we go for it whenever possible.

Too often do our kids think that grabbing a far side power-half will work against an outside single. The sad fact is that it doesn't do anything to anyone half-decent past the age of ten. We really wish school programs would stop teaching kids to do this. As responsible wrestling coaches, we must teach technique that work for the entirety of the wrestler's career, not give them a quick fixes. This is why we teach not to rely on headlocks, chin whips, etc.

  • Sprawling

    You can also sprawl when someone goes outside single. Remember you always circle away from the shot (right) and put your opposite hip down (right) to apply the most pressure.

  • Shin Whizzer (Defense)

    Push the head to the left to expose the shoulder, reach behind his arm with your left hand and grab your left shin. Circle away to pull him down to the mat. You will be putting pressure on your opponent's shoulder with your right foot up. Your right hand will be used to support yourself, add mobility, and apply pressure.

  • He Lifts Up Leg

    In an attempt to get to a high single, your opponent will lift up the leg in front of his chest and make his way to his feet. He may step up with either the right leg or the left, randomly. You'd think most people will step up with their outside leg, but you'd be surprised what can happen in a chaotic scramble.

  • He Limps Out (Defense)

    One way for your opponent to start making progress is to limp his arm out. This will get his arm free, making your whizzer fairly useless. There are however a few things we can do once he does this.

  • Shin Whizzer (Offense)

    Offensively, you do have some options when your opponent gets a Shin Whizzer and stops your Outside Single. These are the moves we have our wrestlers drill should that be the case.