Greco-Roman Technique Reference Sheet

Format preview: one technique fully broken down — the same depth and structure used for every technique in the full reference set. Standing Arm Throw (Ura Otoshi variant).

📄 SAMPLE OUTPUT — Partial preview
Format and depth shown above is identical to every paid deliverable. This is a partial preview of the Greco-Roman Technique Reference Sheet. The full set covers 40+ Greco-Roman techniques with the same breakdown structure.

What a YouTube video gives you: 3 minutes of someone demonstrating the standing arm throw from one angle, a few vague coaching cues ("drive through," "lock the arm"), zero grip sequence detail, zero failure-mode analysis, zero drill prescriptions.

What this reference sheet gives you: Every grip, angle, weight shift, entry window, failure mode, and drill prescription — written so you can take it to the mat with a partner or use it as a coaching curriculum for your room.

Sample of the format only. The Standing Arm Throw is one of 40+ techniques covered in the paid set. Your deliverable covers your chosen techniques with the same depth.

MA
Written by Milo Antaeus
Competitive BJJ practitioner · Former wrestling coach · 10+ years in gi and no-gi
Competition results: 4 regional open medals in gi · Multiple no-gi submission grappling finishes

Technique: Standing Arm Throw (Ura Otoshi variant)

The standing arm throw is the signature technique of Greco-Roman wrestling — it is impossible in freestyle or folkstyle because both hands must stay on the opponent's body throughout. The standing arm throw uses the opponent's arm as a lever while driving their body over the thrower's hip, resulting in a clean throw that ends with the opponent on their back. This breakdown covers the full sequence from initial contact to the throw's completion on the ground.

1. Grip Sequence

Step 1 — High Chest-to-Chest Contact
Close the distance immediately. Chest-to-chest, hips squared. Your head is to the outside of opponent's arm — never inside the elbow line. If your head is inside their elbow line, you cannot generate the lever arm. Drive your shoulder into the side of their neck (cross-face pressure) to break their posture.
Step 2 — Two-on-One Arm Control
With your near-side hand, grip opponent's far arm (the arm you will use as the lever) at the wrist — thumb on the back of the wrist, fingers wrapped around the forearm. Your other hand pushes the same arm upward, trapping it against your chest. You now control both ends of their arm.
Step 3 — The Lock (Underhook on the Trapped Arm)
Thread your near-side hand under opponent's triceps (not the forearm — under the triceps, close to the elbow). Your hand locks behind their arm, palm facing outward. This is the underhook that creates the fulcrum. Without this underhook, the arm throw has no lever — you are just pushing them.

2. Entry Window

The entry window opens when opponent takes a step backward with their free leg. This step backward straightens their posture and loads their weight onto their back foot — it is the moment the standing arm throw is designed to exploit. The sequence:

  1. Opponent steps back with free leg (instinctive retreat from your chest pressure)
  2. You step forward with your near leg — simultaneously
  3. You lift the trapped arm upward as you step
  4. The step-forward + arm-lift combination drives opponent's weight forward onto their hands
  5. You rotate your hips into the throw as their weight crosses the fulcrum point

Timing cue: The throw begins when their free foot leaves the mat. If you wait for them to plant the foot, you are too late.

3. Weight Distribution and Hip Action

Hip Rotation
Your hips must rotate 90 degrees relative to opponent's body at the moment of release. If your hips stay square, you push the opponent — you do not throw them. The hip rotation converts forward momentum into rotational force. Drill hip rotation as a separate skill before adding the arm component.
Leg DrivePost your near leg firmly. This leg is your anchor — it does not move during the throw. Your other leg trails behind during the throw, providing balance and continuation force. Beginners commonly abandon the anchor leg and step into the throw, which collapses the lever and sends opponent forward instead of backward.

4. Common Mistakes and Failure Analysis

Mistake 1 — No underhook on the trapped arm

Why it fails: Without the underhook (your hand behind their triceps), you have no lever. You are pushing opponent's body with their own arm — they simply straighten their arm and walk through the push. The underhook creates the mechanical advantage that makes a 150-pound wrestler's throw feel effortless.

Correction: Practice the underhook as a standalone movement before adding the throw. Partner stands still; you thread the underhook 10 times per side until it is automatic. The underhook should feel like a handshake behind their arm.

Mistake 2 — Stepping into the throw with the anchor leg

Why it fails: If your near leg steps forward during the throw, you lose the anchor point. Opponent's weight transfers forward instead of rotating backward. You will feel yourself being pulled forward rather than opponent being driven backward.

Correction: Drill the throw with the near leg taped to the mat (use a strip of athletic tape on the mat as a marker). If you step, you feel the pull. The anchor leg stays planted until the throw is complete.

Mistake 3 — Not lifting the trapped arm high enough before rotating

Why it fails: The arm lift is not a pull — it is a lever extension. If the arm is not lifted high enough, opponent's shoulder acts as a brake and the throw stops at their hip. You end up in a clinch with opponent standing, not on their back.

Correction: The trapped arm should be lifted until opponent's shoulder is off the mat. Visualize lifting them over the fulcrum point (your hip). Practice the lift-only motion without the rotation — 3 sets of 10 per side, focusing on height achieved.

5. Drill Prescription — 4-Exercise Chain

Exercise 1 — Underhook Isolation (Days 1–7)

Partner stands in neutral stance. Practice the underhook on the trapped arm only. Do not attempt the throw. The goal is automatic hand placement behind the triceps, not in front of the elbow. 3 sets of 10 per side. Partner does not resist — this is movement pattern training.

Exercise 2 — Arm Lift Without Rotation (Days 1–7)

From set position (underhook established, arm trapped), practice lifting the trapped arm until opponent's shoulder is off the mat. Do not rotate. Do not step. The lift is vertical, not diagonal. 3 sets of 10 per side.

Exercise 3 — Hip Rotation With Partner Resisting (Days 8–14)

Full throw sequence at 50% resistance. Partner can base but should not actively fight. Score each rep: 1 = no lift, 3 = lifted but no rotation, 5 = clean throw to back. Target 4+ by end of week 2. 5 sets of 5 per side.

Exercise 4 — Live Positional Sparring Starting From Clinch (Days 14+)

Begin every sparring session from standing clinch. Your only goal is to execute the standing arm throw — do not chase the opponent, do not look for submissions. Execute the throw and reset. The goal is to make the entry window recognition automatic.

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The Greco-Roman Technique Reference Set covers the complete Greco-Roman technique library, organized by position:

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Quick-Reference: Standing Arm Throw Key Points

Component Key Detail
Underhook Hand behind triceps, not forearm — creates the lever
Entry window When opponent's free foot leaves the mat
Anchor leg Near leg stays planted throughout the throw
Hip rotation 90° relative to opponent at release — not square
Arm lift height Until opponent's shoulder is off the mat

Questions? Email miloantaeus@gmail.com. Response within 24 hours during tournament season.