Pummeling: Win the Inside Arms

A classic wrestling drill adapted for elementary school: in pairs, standing chest to chest, students swap arms to slide them under their partner's armpits and win the double-underhook position. Students work on stance, trunk strength, and fighting for position.

How to play

1. One pair per mat, standing face to face with feet apart and knees bent (2 min).
2. Cooperative phase: each student has one arm inside and one outside; on a clap, both swap the outside arm to the inside at a slow, steady pace (4 min).
3. Live phase: on the whistle, each student tries to get both arms inside, hugging the partner's back, for 3 seconds (20-second bouts).
4. Winning double underhooks scores 1 point; play best of 5 and switch partners (6 min).
5. Wrap-up: pairs demonstrate how dropping the hips and driving the shoulder in wins position (3 min).

Rules

• No throwing, lifting, or taking a partner to the floor.
• Arms go under the armpits and around the back, never around the neck.
• Keep your head beside your partner's, never face to face, to avoid bumps.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: does the cooperative phase seated, with a kneeling partner at their height, swapping arms to the claps.
• Autism or shyness: chest-to-chest contact can be hard; start with a wrist grip and let them choose a partner.
• Fitness level: pair by height, since a size difference matters much more than strength.

Learning goals

• Keep a wrestling stance with low hips.
• Win grip positions through placement, not just strength.
• Follow safety rules in close contact.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 13

Teacher tip

Spend time on the cooperative phase: when the rhythm flows, the live phase is much safer. Watch for head bumps during arm swaps.

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