The BASIC Pummeling Drill Done RIGHT!
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Standard Re-Pummel·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian·Added by Admin
This video I work with the guys on the basic pummeling drill. Check out the details and you are sure to find something …
Standard Re-Pummel
Genusスタンダードリパメル(Sutandādo Ripameru)
TransliterationTranslation: standard re-pummel
Overview
The Standard Re-Pummel executes the fundamental pummelling action by swimming the arm inside the opponent's underhook, driving the elbow down and the hand up through the gap between the opponent's arm and body, re-establishing inside position. [1] The re-pummel is performed with a combination of arm movement and body rotation — the defender turns the torso slightly to create space, then drives the arm through the gap while simultaneously pushing the opponent's arm to the outside. [1],[2] The standard re-pummel must be performed quickly and precisely, as the moment of transition creates a brief vulnerability. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Re-pummeling is the primary method of recovering underhook position after the opponent establishes one, and maintaining underhook advantage is considered one of the most important clinch battles in both wrestling and MMA. [1] The fighter who wins the underhook battle typically controls the clinch and determines whether a takedown occurs. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
Re-pummeling is a standard wrestling skill. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Preventing or reducing the effect of an incoming attack through physical interception, evasion, or structural positioning
Joints Involved — Varies by defence type — blocks use arms/shins, evasions use head/body movement, sprawls use hips
Force Vector — Opposing or tangential to the attack — either absorbing, redirecting, or evading the incoming force
Defensive Principle — Economy of motion — the best defence uses minimal movement to neutralise the maximum threat
Position & Entry
From threatened position — Recognise the incoming attack, select the appropriate defensive response, and execute it with proper timing
As reactive defence — When attacked, use the trained defensive technique to neutralise the threat
As preemptive defence — Maintain position and distance to prevent the opponent from initiating the attack
Variants
Standard defence — primary defensive technique from the most common position
Reactive defence — triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for maximum protection
Proactive defence — anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it early
Counter defence — using the defensive movement to create an immediate counter-attack opportunity
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Sprawls and stuffs involve sudden body weight displacement; knee/hip strain risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal — defensive techniques are fundamental to g...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— UWW — Legal defensive technique
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Standard re-pummel execution: dip the shoulder on the underhook side, swim the arm under the opponent's arm by threading the elbow inside, and drive the underhook to depth at the opponent's armpit (Cael Sanderson, Wrestling Technique, 2010)
✓Step 1: feel or see the opponent establish the underhook
✓Step 2: drop the same-side shoulder down and forward
✓Step 3: swim the arm under theirs by threading the elbow between their arm and your body
✓Step 4: drive the underhook deep to the opponent's armpit for maximum control
✓The depth of the underhook matters — a shallow underhook (hand on the ribs) is weaker than a deep underhook (hand at the shoulder blade)
✓After re-pummelling, use the recovered underhook immediately: take an angle, set up a takedown, or establish dominant clinch position
✓Drill the standard re-pummel in continuous flow: you pummel, opponent pummels back, you re-pummel — 30 seconds per round
✓The re-pummel is the same in gi and no-gi — the fundamental mechanics don't change
Common Mistakes
!Threading the arm too high (over the shoulder) instead of under — the arm must go inside, not over
!Not driving to depth after re-pummelling — a shallow re-pummel is easily countered; drive to the armpit
!Dipping the wrong shoulder — dip the shoulder on the side you're re-pummelling, not the opposite side
!Re-pummelling without using the hips — the hip turn aids the swim and makes the re-pummel more effective
!Not immediately using the re-established underhook — the underhook is a tool, not a destination; attack from it
!Pummel and then stop — the exchange is continuous until you achieve your goal
!Over-committing to the re-pummel and getting snapped down — maintain head position while pummelling
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)
1BookFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
2BookWrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Cejudo & Holliday, 2015)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
5CitationWrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Cejudo & Holliday, 2015)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
Community
Athletics
Requires
reaction speed, structural body mechanics, defensive awareness
Favours
quick reflexes and conditioned defensive surfaces
Key muscles
varies — forearms (blocking), legs (movement), core (stability)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake people make when pummeling?
According to Coach Brian at TeachMeGrappling, the biggest mistake is taking your arms out during the drill. Instead, you should keep your arms in and swim your hand inside to establish proper contact and create that characteristic clapping sound between your shoulders and chest.
How do I know if I'm pummeling correctly?
Coach Brian emphasizes listening for a clapping sound as you pummel—this auditory feedback indicates you're making proper contact with your partner's shoulders and chest. You should also keep your elbows from opening too wide and maintain steady pressure without taking your hands out.
Should I focus on friction or pressure when pummeling?
Coach Brian teaches that there should be no friction during pummeling—instead, you're pushing into each other from your own feet and transferring energy. The movement comes from your legs and core, not from grinding your arms.
How does the Standard Re-Pummel work?
The Standard Re-Pummel executes the fundamental pummelling action by swimming the arm inside the opponent's underhook, driving the elbow down and the hand up through the gap between the opponent's arm and body, re-establishing inside position. The re-pummel is performed with a combination of arm movement and body rotation — the defender turns the torso slightly to create space, then drives the arm through the gap while simultaneously pushing the opponent's arm to the outside.
Where does the Standard Re-Pummel come from?
The standard re-pummel is one of the most fundamental wrestling techniques, practised in pummelling drills at every level of wrestling training from youth through Olympic competition. It is the foundational clinch defensive skill in all grappling arts.
Is the Standard Re-Pummel legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal — defensive techniques are fundamental to grappling; IJF: legal — Legal defensive action; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal defensive technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Re-Pummel?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — sprawls and stuffs involve sudden body weight displacement; knee/hip strain risk
How do I set up the Standard Re-Pummel?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Standard Re-Pummel?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Standard Re-Pummel?
Common variants: Standard defence (primary defensive technique from the most common position); Reactive defence (triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for …); Proactive defence (anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it …); Counter defence (using the defensive movement to create an immediate count…).
How effective is the Standard Re-Pummel in competition?
Re-pummeling is a standard wrestling skill.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Re-Pummel?
Top errors to watch for: Threading the arm too high (over the shoulder) instead of under — the arm must go inside, not over / Not driving to depth after re-pummelling — a shallow re-pummel is easily countered; drive to the armpit / Dipping the wrong shoulder — dip the shoulder on the side you're re-pummelling, not the opposite side / Re-pummelling without using the hips — the hip turn aids the swim and makes the re-pummel more effective.
What are other names for the Standard Re-Pummel?
The Standard Re-Pummel is also known as Sutandādo Ripameru, Basic Pummel, Standard Inside Tie, Underhook Re-Entry.