The High Crotch

The high crotch sits between the single and the double. Your head goes to the inside, your arm reaches high on the inside of the thigh, and your hips step under the opponent rather than into them. That inside position makes lifting natural and makes the transition to a double leg available whenever the opponent defends the near leg. It is also the attack most sensitive to posture, since a lowered head loses the whole position.

Key points

• Penetrate with the lead foot to the outside of their near foot so your hips land under theirs and lifting becomes possible.
• Your head stays inside against their ribs while the inside arm reaches high on the thigh and pins its elbow to your body.
• Chest up and back straight through the whole finish; the moment your posture collapses the position becomes a stalled shot.
• Lift by extending the knees and hips, never by rounding the back, and turn toward the leg you already control.
• If they defend the near leg heavily, cut your head to the outside and finish the same entry as a double leg.

Common mistakes

• Reaching the arm through without stepping the hips in, leaving you long and low with nothing underneath the opponent to lift.
• Letting the head drop below their hip line, which converts the strongest inside position in wrestling into a front headlock.
• Muscling the finish upright instead of turning the corner, which stalls the attack and invites a counter to your back.

Put it into practice