What Is Wrestling Breast Smother? Defense Techniques

The art of wrestling encompasses various techniques, each designed to gain control or submission from an opponent. Among these techniques, the breast smother, also known as the smother hold, is a move that involves controlling an opponent’s body, typically in a way that restricts breathing or movement. The breast smother is not as commonly referenced in modern wrestling as other holds, such as the armbar or the headlock, but understanding its execution and defense is crucial for any well-rounded wrestler.

Execution of the Breast Smother

In its most basic form, a breast smother involves a wrestler positioning themselves in a way that their chest or torso restricts the opponent’s ability to breathe or move freely. This can be achieved from various positions, including from the top during ground wrestling, where the wrestler places their chest on the opponent’s face or chest, using their body weight to apply pressure.

Defense Techniques Against the Breast Smother

Defending against a breast smother requires quick action and a clear understanding of the hold’s mechanics. Here are several techniques a wrestler can employ:

1. Creating Space: The first line of defense is to try and create space between you and your opponent. This can be done by attempting to push the opponent away or by using your legs to drive them off. Creating even a small amount of space can alleviate the pressure on your chest or face and provide an opportunity to counterattack.

2. Bridge and Shift: If the opponent is controlling you from the top, bridging (arching your back) can help reduce the pressure of their chest on you. Immediately after bridging, attempting to shift your body to the side can help you escape the smother and potentially reverse positions.

3. Elbow Escape: When in a bad position, such as being pinned under an opponent attempting a breast smother, using your elbows to create space is crucial. By driving an elbow into the opponent’s thigh or hip, you can create enough space to start escaping the hold.

4. Guard Play: If the breast smother is being attempted from within your guard (where you are on your back and have your legs wrapped around the opponent), you can use your legs to control the opponent’s movement and potentially submissions or sweeps to counterattack.

5. Underhook and Roll: If you find yourself in a situation where the opponent is leaning forward to apply the smother, quickly underhooking one of their arms and rolling in the direction of the underhook can help you escape and even counter with a reversal or takedown.

6. Protecting the Neck: Often, the setup for a breast smother involves controlling the opponent’s head or neck. Protecting your neck by tucking your chin to your chest and using your arms to defend can make it harder for your opponent to secure a good position for the smother.

Training and Drilling

Like any wrestling technique, defending against a breast smother requires practice. Wrestlers should incorporate drills that simulate the smother hold into their training routine. This includes live wrestling situations where you and your partner take turns attempting to execute and defend against the hold, as well as specific drills focused on escaping and countering the breast smother.

Conclusion

The breast smother, while perhaps not as highlighted in contemporary wrestling as other techniques, remains an essential part of a wrestler’s arsenal and defensive capabilities. Understanding how to execute and, more importantly, defend against this hold can provide wrestlers with a strategic advantage on the mat. By incorporating defense techniques against the breast smother into their training regimen, wrestlers can enhance their overall defensive skills and become more formidable opponents.