Spladle in wrestling
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Standard Spladle·Myosource Kinetic Bands
http://myosource.com/wrestling/ Spladle in wrestling
Standard Spladle
SubFamilyTranslation
Not yet documented
Overview
The Standard Spladle is the fundamental execution of the spladle technique — trapping the opponent's head and one leg together from the front headlock position, then forcing the other leg apart to create a painful groin split that serves as both a wrestling pin and a submission hold. [1] This standard version represents the basic spladle mechanics from the front headlock entry. [1],[2]
Basic SpladleStandard Banana Split
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Developed within the parent martial arts tradition. [1]
Competition Record
Used in relevant competition formats. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Executing this specific technique through its characteristic mechanical pattern
Joints Involved — Technique-specific joints depending on whether this is an escape (hips for bridging/shrimping), sweep (hips and legs for leverage), submission (target joint plus controlling joints), throw (hips, legs, shoulders for projection), or position (control-specific body parts)
Force Vector — Directed along the technique's primary action line
Technique Mechanic — Each technique has a specific mechanical sequence that must be followed for effective execution
Position & Entry
From the parent position — Enter this technique from the primary position described in the parent family
From a transition — Access this technique during a positional transition or scramble
From defence — Enter this technique as a defensive response or counter
Videos
Technique With Tom - Episode 4 - Spladle
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Standard Spladle·UNK Wrestling
2 videos
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Standard technique-level risk appropriate to the category
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— IJF — Only elbow joint locks permitted in judo — compress...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFRestricted
— IBJJF — Brown and black belt only
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFLegal
— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Drill the technique with progressive resistance
✓Understand the entry position before drilling the finish
✓Chain with related techniques for a complete system
✓Practice both sides where applicable
Common Mistakes
!Poor entry positioning
!Incomplete execution
!Not chaining with follow-up techniques
!Attempting without proper setup
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Entry Position
2Set Up the Technique
3Execute
4Follow Through
5Consolidate or Transition
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Martial arts curriculum [2] Competition analysis
2BookRelevant martial arts instructional resources
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Martial arts curriculum [2] Competition analysis
5CitationRelevant martial arts instructional resources
Community
Athletics
Requires
technique-specific physical attributes
Key muscles
technique-dependent
Sub-techniques
Notes
The spladle originated in American folkstyle wrestling as a pinning combination — the attacker threads one arm through the opponent's legs and controls the head to split and pin. In BJJ and MMA, it was adapted as a submission targeting the groin and spine. (Wrestling coaching manuals; MMA competition records)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake when setting up a spladle?
According to UNK Wrestling's Technique With Tom, the number one mistake is trying to grab the opponent's leg instead of pushing it down. You should push the leg down, then punch through with your elbow locking behind the knee, and secure it with a figure four to prevent escape.
Should I pull both of my opponent's legs up when splaying them?
No—Myosource Kinetic Bands emphasizes that you should not pull both legs up initially because it throws off your balance. Instead, keep one leg on the mat for stability while you control and split out the other leg.
How should I position my weight when finishing a spladle?
Myosource Kinetic Bands stresses the importance of maintaining hip pressure on top of your opponent and keeping your weight forward rather than back, as weight back allows the opponent to roll over and escape.
How do I prevent my opponent's legs from creating a scramble situation?
Keep your opponent's knees down while driving pressure into them, according to Myosource Kinetic Bands. Allowing their legs to come up can turn the position into a scramble rather than a secure pin.
How does the Standard Spladle work?
The Standard Spladle is the fundamental execution of the spladle technique — trapping the opponent's head and one leg together from the front headlock position, then forcing the other leg apart to create a painful groin split that serves as both a wrestling pin and a submission hold. This standard version represents the basic spladle mechanics from the front headlock entry.
Where does the Standard Spladle come from?
This technique developed within its parent martial arts tradition and has been refined through competition.
Is the Standard Spladle legal in competition?
IBJJF: restricted — Brown and black belt only; IJF: banned — Only elbow joint locks permitted in judo — compression locks prohibited; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Spladle?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — standard technique-level risk appropriate to the category
How do I set up the Standard Spladle?
The standard setup chain: Establish Entry Position → Set Up the Technique → Execute → Follow Through → Consolidate or Transition.
How do I defend against the Standard Spladle?
Standard counters include: Defensive techniques against this specific technique / Prevention of the entry position.
What are the variants of the Standard Spladle?
Common variants: Standard execution (the fundamental version); Modified variation (adapted for specific scenarios).
How effective is the Standard Spladle in competition?
Used in relevant competition formats.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Spladle?
Top errors to watch for: Poor entry positioning / Incomplete execution / Not chaining with follow-up techniques / Attempting without proper setup.
What are other names for the Standard Spladle?
The Standard Spladle is also known as Basic Spladle, Standard Banana Split.