If you’re arm wrestling in a seated position, sit at an angle so that your dominant foot is closer to your opponent.
The closer your body is to the table, the more effectively you’ll be able to pull down on your opponents arm. If you stand or sit a few inches away from the table, you won’t be able to use your shoulder muscles in the arm-wrestling match.
For an easy reference point, position your arm so that your thumb is directly in front of your nose. With this arm position, you’ll engage your shoulder and arm strength simultaneously, rather than using your arm strength alone.
If you’re wrestling in an official competition, the referee may insist that you keep your wrist straight and not curled.
If you don’t have the physical strength to do this, just keep your wrist straight.
Keep in mind that you might tire yourself out quickly if you aren’t successful. Have a strategy! In arm wrestling, hand positioning and technique are more important than strength.
Pretend like you feel confident that you’re going to win. Your opponent doesn’t know that you feel like you’re losing, and looking confident may get them to give up.
This move is more about leverage than brute strength. Putting pressure on your opponent’s hand will force it open and make it more difficult for them to use their muscles. When performing a “top roll,” you can also pull your body back to draw out your opponent’s arm even more.
This technique is useful if you’re as strong as your opponent in either forearm strength, bicep strength, or both. You’ll force your opponent’s wrist back to give yourself greater leverage. Maintain wrist contact throughout the match so that force is delivered through the wrists, rather than the hands.
So, if you’re wrestling right-handed, lean your right shoulder in towards your opponent. Or, if you’re left handed, lean your left shoulder in.
