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Arm Wrestling Tips, Tricks & Techniques

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Would you like to be better at arm wrestling? If you are looking for arm wrestling tips, it is probably because you want to beat someone in particular. Perhaps you are even interested in entering an arm wrestling contest. Whatever the reason, following a few simple tips and tricks, as well as learning a few arm wrestling techniques can make you a fantastic arm wrestler.

• Preparing to Arm Wrestle
• How to Arm Wrestle
• Gaining a mental advantage
• Arm wrestling competitively

Preparing to Arm Wrestle

The basic idea of arm wrestling is to pin your opponent's arm to the table. It requires a great deal of strength and technique. Speed is also a key in arm wrestling. Before you even begin to actually arm wrestle, there are a couple of things that you can do to prepare yourself.

First, strengthen your gripping muscles. The hand muscles are just as important as the arm muscles in arm wrestling. You can strengthen your grip with hand grippers that you can purchase at an athletic equipment store. Squeezing a stiff ball, such as a tennis ball, can also improve your grip.

Another thing that you can do is purchase a special table for arm wrestling. You can arm wrestle on almost any table, however, an arm wrestling table can prepare you for competition. Make sure that the table you use is not too wide, as you will need to be relatively close to your opponent.

How to Arm Wrestle

The general rules of arm wrestling are simple. These are:

• Opponents should start square to the table with at least one foot on the ground.
• Your body should not touch your hand at all.
• Opponents should not allow their body, aside from their hand, cross to the other's side of the table.
• To win, you must cause your opponent's hands or fingers to touch the table.

Formal matches will have additional rules, such as fouls, and referees will judge the match. Here are some tips that can help you to compete better.

Use your entire body.

You need to learn to move your body together as whole in order to arm wrestle well. The force of your full body strength will help you to win tough arm wrestling matches, not your arm strength alone. Lock your upper arm an elbow in a firm position close to your body.

Slightly pull your arm in once the match has begun.

If you have an extra half-inch to bring your elbow closer to your body, take it. This will give you greater leverage and put you in a better position than your opponent. Remember that this is a very subtle movement, and you should not allow your body to touch your hand.

Put your back into it.

Pushing slightly forward with your back in quick intervals can help you gain advantage if you are starting to lose. Make sure that your arm and elbow stay locked. Pushing too much could unlock your firm position. Your upper arm should be as close to your body as possible for this technique to work. Basically, the idea is to use your back muscles to support the strength of your shoulder and arm muscles.

Try to break your opponent's grip.

Bend your wrist slightly forward and try to push against your opponent's grip, towards your face. If you keep doing this, your opponent will slowly begin to loosen their grip, one finger at a time. You need a great deal of strength and focus to do this. Once their grip is loose enough, try to pin them.

Keep a focused angle of force.

It is easy to forget to add sideways pressure when arm wrestling. You need to use your back muscles, but it is also important to keep sideways pressure on your opponent's arm in order to pin them. Focus your energy on pinning your opponent's arm down. Sometimes you can slightly adjust your angle or pressure to find out what position will cause your opponent's arm to lower with the most ease. This is usually a combination of pressure from your back muscles angled from the side.

Gaining a mental advantage

Confidence can give you an extreme advantage over your competitor. Even before the match begins, try to look as if you know that you will win.

Flex your arm muscles and stretch your fingers. Do not do this as if you are trying to brag, but simply act casual (as if you do this all the time).

Stare your opponent in the eyes. Let them know that you are serious about winning, and you will not back down easily. Give them an intimidating look, and show them that you are not afraid of them.

Get into your position quickly. If you show no hesitation in getting started, this may make your opponent nervous.

Maintain a confident look throughout the match, regardless of what is happening. Pretend as though everything is going according to plan.

Arm wrestling competitively

If you want to make a sport out of arm wrestling, you can compete officially. Here are some tips for you, should you want to get involved with the I.A.F. (International Arm Wrestling Federation).

Maintain a healthy weight.

You will be classed by weight at official competitions. Matches are arranged by your weight. Crash dieting before a match is not recommended, so be sure to eat right and exercise regularly.

Practice a variety of techniques.

Study the sport and learn new ways to gain advantage. Different techniques involve grip, hand height, back pull, elbow position, wrist flexion, elbow flexion, torso rotation and leg use.

Learn the official rules.

Each local tournament may have slightly different rules. If you don't know them, you could forfeit, foul, or be disqualified.

Turn in all necessary documents.

You might need to join an organization or complete paperwork before you can compete. Find out what is required.

Check for entrance fees.

Sometimes you will have to pay to compete. Make sure you have the funds in the appropriate payment method.

Train hard and enjoy yourself.