Four Tilts that Will Score You a Lot of Back Points
One way to rack up a lot of points in a match is by turning your opponent. There are basically two types of turns. The first is a pinning combination where your goal is to turn your opponent to get the pin. Then there are tilts. A tilt is when you turn your opponent with the purpose of getting nearfall points but knowing that you most likely won’t actually get a pin, but if you can hit a couple tilts in a match, those points can add up really quick. Especially in college where a five second nearfall is worth four points. Here are four different tilts you can add to your top game to earn some serious back points.
Wrist Roll Tilt with Ed Ruth
In this video, three time NCAA champion Ed Ruth shows a wrist roll tilt that is setup from a hammerlock.
First thing you have to do to hit this wrist roll tilt is make sure you opponent is flat on the mat. So choose whatever breakdown you want from starting position and get them flat on the mat. Once flat on the mat, get wrist control on one side and drive to roll the wrist under and put it across the back like you are setting up a hammer lock. Watch how Ruth uses his whole body to create pressure to roll the wrist out.
After you have the wrist rolled out, place the hand on their low back but remember to not let the elbow bend past ninety degrees or the referee will stop the match for potentially dangerous. From here, watch how Ruth blocks and puts pressure on the elbow and uses it at pivot point to turn his opponent.
Once you have the elbow secured off the back and are blocking it with your knee, use your other hand to either hook in their armpit or you can reach across their neck almost like you have a claw ride. From here you will lift up then roll to your side for the turn.
Learn from the whole crew! Click Learn More!
When you have turned your opponent, be sure to keep everything very tight, especially the arm that is across the back. Also, pay attention to what Ruth is doing with his legs to control his opponent. This tilt, just like all tilts, rely on your ability to keep your opponent control long enough to get your five count and you must keep yourself out of danger as well.
Thread the Needle Roll Through Tilt with Logan Stieber
The next tilt is a thread the needle tilt by four time NCAA champion Logan Stieber. It sets up nicely from a crossbody leg ride where you are trying to pull the arm out for an armbar.
This tilt starts after you get your leg in and scoop the opposite elbow. When the guy on bottom feels their arm being attacked, their natural response will be to grab their own leg to prevent you from pulling it out. (If they don’t, then you have an easy hammer lock).
After the bottom guy grabs their own thigh, the top guy slides his arm out just a little then with the back arm, then reaches through his opponent’s legs to grab the wrist that is locked onto the thigh.
Once the wrist is secured, the top guy is going to roll over his front shoulder. While the roll is happening, top guy needs to turn his head and look back behind himself. To generate the power to make the roll happen, the top guy is going to use the leg that is not hooked in to push off the mat then kick it to create momentum.
After the roll through, keep the elbow and wrist locked up tight and keep the leg hooked. Just as with any tilt position, the guy will be trying to fight off his back, so the top guy needs to make adjustments to keep him on his back. The tighter the top guy can keep the bottom guy the better.
Standing Tilt With Ben and Max Askren
This next tilt is from the Askren brothers and you know if it is coming from them it is going to be quite a bit different. Most tilts come from the top position, but not this one. This tilt comes starts on the feet after your opponent has hit a stand up.
To set this tilt up, you will need to lock up a two on one; one hand controlling their elbow and the other reaching around the body to control the wrist of the same arm. In the video, pay attention to how Max drops his head down to the side and puts his elbow one the inside of the leg and circles down and rolls.
When he brings him down to the mat, he is landing with his elbow and his knee connected. They way he holds onto the tilt is different than how you would normally hold onto a two on one tilt so be sure to make note of it when you watch the video.
This tilt is a great move to have in your back pocket if you are down late in a match and need to score some points to win.
Wheelbarrow Turn with Hudson Taylor
This last tilt is the most unique of all the tilts and it is safe to say it is far from a tradition two on one tilt. In this video, one of the top ten pinners in the history of NCAA wrestling Hudson Taylor shows his wheelbarrow turn. This tilt is a great example that if you can control your opponent’s hips, you can control them. Check it out.
Working tilts is a great game plan in a match. If you can hit one or two tilts in a match and get a head by six points, most of the time it really takes the wind out of your opponent’s sails. Climbing out of a six point deficit is really difficult. Another great thing about tilts are they don’t take up as much energy as takedowns. You can hit two tilts and ear six points or even eight if you are in college and it will barely phase you, but to score the same amount of points by taking guys down and cutting them you would have to get 12 to 16 takedowns which is extremely difficult to do.
Lastly, just like with all areas of wrestling, you have to get your reps in. So next time you are in practice, be sure to try these out and drill them to get the pressure and technique down so you can start scoring more back points this coming wrestling season.
Magic Mat Work by Hudson Taylor is a wrestling GOLD MINE. Throughout the 8 Volume set you will be taken on a vision quest to the techniques that helped Hudson reach the highest levels of wrestling. It's TIME to add some MAGIC to your game!