wrestling suplex compilation (all variations)
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Salto Suplex·MAD wrestling
a compilation of wrestling suplexes, from vertical to german, who doesn't love a suplex.
Salto Suplex
SubFamilyサルトスープレックス(Saruto Sūpurekkusu)
TransliterationTranslation: salto suplex (katakana)
Overview
The Salto Suplex is the most acrobatic variant of the suplex family, in which the attacker generates sufficient lift and rotation to send the opponent through a near-complete aerial arc, often resulting in an airborne rotation before landing. [1],[2] The term 'salto' (from Italian/Spanish for 'jump' or 'somersault') reflects the leaping or somersaulting quality of the throw. [2] Salto suplexes require exceptional explosive power, timing, and body control, as the attacker must generate enough force to clear the opponent fully through the air while maintaining control of the landing. [2],[3] This variant scores maximum points in wrestling due to its extreme amplitude and the dramatic back exposure it creates. [3]
History & Origin
The salto suplex emerged as a high-risk, high-reward technique in competitive Greco-Roman wrestling, developed by athletes with exceptional athletic ability. [1] Soviet-era wrestling programs produced many of the most famous salto suplex practitioners, who combined gymnastics-level body control with wrestling strength. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
Lineage
The salto was developed in Soviet Greco-Roman wrestling training systems and became associated with elite-level competitors. [1]
Competition Record
The salto scores grand amplitude points in Greco-Roman competition and is considered one of the most impressive techniques in wrestling. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Off-balancing and projecting the opponent through the air using body mechanics and leverage
Joints Involved — Attacker's hips, legs, and arms work as an integrated system; opponent's balance point is attacked
Force Vector — Direction varies by throw — forward, backward, lateral, or rotational projection
Kuzushi (Off-balancing) — Breaking the opponent's balance in the intended throwing direction is the essential prerequisite
Position & Entry
From body lock (standing) — Secure rear or front body lock, arch the back and lift the opponent off the ground, drive them overhead or to the side
From clinch (overhook and underhook) — Secure double underhooks or over-under, lift and arch to execute the suplex
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
High-amplitude backward arch throw; severe head/neck injury risk (UWW injury data)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— IBJJF — Suplex throws prohibited — throwing opponent back...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFLegal
— IJF — Legal throwing technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— UWW — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— Unified MMA — Legal throwing technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The salto (somersault throw) is a spectacular rear-arching throw that sends the opponent overhead via a back somersault — extremely high amplitude (used by Buvaisar Saitiev, Aleksandr Karelin)
✓This is an advanced technique reserved for elite-level wrestlers — the margin for error is minimal
✓The salto starts from a rear body lock and uses a massive hip pop combined with a full backward somersault
✓Commit completely — half-committing to a salto results in injury to yourself
✓The rotation must be fast and continuous — the opponent goes overhead and lands on their back
✓Train the salto on crash pads extensively before attempting in live wrestling
✓Only use when you have a dominant rear body lock and the opponent's base is disrupted
Common Mistakes
!Attempting without sufficient bridge and somersault ability — this is an elite technique requiring exceptional athleticism
!Not committing fully to the rotation — a partial salto dumps both wrestlers dangerously
!Attempting from a loose body lock — the opponent separates mid-flight
!Not rotating fully — under-rotation lands the opponent on their head
!Trying the salto when the opponent still has a strong base — they block the lift
!Not practising on crash pads first — the landing forces are extreme
!Attempting in competition without extensive drilling — the risk of injury is too high for an unpractised salto
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) — establish the controlling grips needed for the throw
2Off-Balance (Kuzushi) — break the opponent's balance in the throwing direction
3Entry (Tsukuri) — position the body for the throw by turning, stepping, or loading
4Execution (Kake) — complete the throwing action with full commitment and follow-through
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese amateur wrestling terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese amateur wrestling terminology
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese amateur wrestling terminology
Standard katakana transliteration used in Japanese wrestling (レスリング)
Community
Athletics
Requires
exceptional lower back and hip extension power, body lock grip strength
Favours
strong, stocky build with powerful back
Key muscles
erector spinae, glutes, trapezius, biceps, forearms
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Salto Suplex work?
The Salto Suplex is the most acrobatic variant of the suplex family, in which the attacker generates sufficient lift and rotation to send the opponent through a near-complete aerial arc, often resulting in an airborne rotation before landing. The term 'salto' (from Italian/Spanish for 'jump' or 'somersault') reflects the leaping or somersaulting quality of the throw.
Where does the Salto Suplex come from?
The salto suplex emerged as a high-risk, high-reward technique in competitive Greco-Roman wrestling, developed by athletes with exceptional athletic ability. Soviet-era wrestling programs produced many of the most famous salto suplex practitioners, who combined gymnastics-level body control with wrestling strength.
Is the Salto Suplex legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: banned — Suplex throws prohibited — throwing opponent backwards onto head/neck; UWW: legal — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman; Unified MMA: legal — Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Salto Suplex?
Danger rating 8/10. Very High — high-amplitude backward arch throw; severe head/neck injury risk (UWW injury data)
How do I set up the Salto Suplex?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Salto Suplex?
Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration / Stiff-Arm — maintain distance with straight arms to prevent the entry.
What are the variants of the Salto Suplex?
Common variants: Standard suplex (rear body lock with overhead arch); German suplex (clasped hands at the waist, arching the opponent over the…); Belly-to-belly suplex (front body lock suplex lifting and arching); Lateral suplex (side-angle suplex throwing the opponent to the side).
How effective is the Salto Suplex in competition?
The salto scores grand amplitude points in Greco-Roman competition and is considered one of the most impressive techniques in wrestling.
What are common mistakes when doing the Salto Suplex?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting without sufficient bridge and somersault ability — this is an elite technique requiring exceptional athlet… / Not committing fully to the rotation — a partial salto dumps both wrestlers dangerously / Attempting from a loose body lock — the opponent separates mid-flight / Not rotating fully — under-rotation lands the opponent on their head.
What are other names for the Salto Suplex?
The Salto Suplex is also known as Saruto Sūpurekkusu, Salto Throw, Aerial Suplex, Salto, Brosok Salto (бросок сальто).