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DictionarynelsonWrestling hold
noun

nelson

NEL-sun/ˈnelsn/

A wrestling hold with an arm passed under an opponent's arm to press on the back of the opponent's neck.

The wrestler uses a half nelson to turn his opponent.

A rear three-quarter, upright kneeling half-nelson demonstration, exposing the controlling arm rising through the opponent's armpit to the back of his neck.
Etymology

This wrestling hold apparently takes its name from a person, but no one now knows whose name it preserves.

In context

Scientific Wrestling3:55
quarter Nelson is very simple I'm going to put my hand on the back of the head this hand goes under so the head end far side arm goes on the head
Mastering the Nelson: Catch Wrestling Techniques for Grappling Success | Scientific Wrestling

More examples

  • She breaks the nelson before her opponent can tighten it.
  • The coach demonstrates a half nelson slowly for the beginners.
  • He presses the back of his opponent's neck with a nelson.

Forms

nelson · nelsons

Similar words

half nelson
Specifically uses one arm under the opponent's arm.
full nelson
Uses both arms under the opponent's arms, not just one.
hold
A broader term for any controlling technique in wrestling.