Wrestling Throw

Fireman's Carry, known in wrestling as the fireman's carry throw or kata guruma in judo, is a family of throws in which the attacker ducks under the opponent, loads them across their shoulders, and wheels them over to the mat. [1,2] The throw begins with the attacker securing an arm tie or collar tie, dropping to one or both knees beneath the opponent, threading one arm between the opponent's legs while the other controls the arm, and then standing or rolling to lift the opponent across the shoulders before dumping them to the ground. [2,3] The fireman's carry is one of the most commonly taught wrestling throws at all levels, valued for its effectiveness against opponents of equal or greater size and its relatively low-risk entry from a tied-up position. [3,4] In judo, the technique is classified as kata guruma (shoulder wheel) and is a hand technique (te waza). [4]

Headlock Throw is the family of wrestling throws executed from a headlock position, in which the attacker wraps one arm around the opponent's head or neck and uses hip rotation, lateral dropping, or rolling action to bring the opponent to the mat. [1,2] Headlock throws are among the most instinctive throwing techniques in wrestling and are commonly seen at all competitive levels, from youth wrestling to Olympic competition. [2,3] The family includes the standard headlock throw (sometimes called a head-and-arm throw) and the pancake, a flattening technique used from the headlock position. [3,4] While powerful, headlock throws carry an inherent risk — if the attacker fails to complete the throw, they may expose their own back to the mat, resulting in points for the opponent. [4]

Lateral Drop is a family of wrestling throws in which the attacker secures an upper-body clinch — typically a body lock or over-under position — and falls laterally to one side while arching to lift and rotate the opponent, slamming them to the mat in a high-amplitude sideways arc. [1,2] The lateral drop is one of the most spectacular throws in Greco-Roman wrestling, requiring explosive hip extension, back strength, and precise timing to execute correctly. [2,3] The throw is particularly effective from the over-under clinch (one overhook, one underhook) and is a high-scoring technique due to the back-exposure it creates on the opponent during the fall. [3,4] In MMA, the lateral drop has been adopted as a devastating clinch throw that can end fights through the impact of the slam. [4]

The Suplex is the family of wrestling throws in which the attacker secures a body lock or waist grip, lifts the opponent off the ground using hip and back extension, and arches backward to slam the opponent onto the mat behind the attacker. [1,2] Suplexes are the quintessential high-amplitude wrestling throws, characterised by the dramatic backward arc that sends the opponent overhead or to the side with tremendous force. [2,3] The suplex family includes the standard suplex (front body lock with backward arch), the German suplex (rear waist lock with backward bridge), the gut-wrench suplex (belly-down lift and turn), and the salto suplex (an airborne, high-rotation variant). [3,4] Suplexes are the highest-scoring throws in Greco-Roman wrestling, where upper-body techniques dominate, and have become iconic in mixed martial arts and professional wrestling alike. [4,5] The biomechanics of suplex execution require extraordinary back strength, hip mobility, and the ability to generate explosive force while bearing the full weight of the opponent. [5]