Elbow Pass Series: Beating the Collar Tie

The collar tie is one of the most common tie ups in wrestling. Every wrestler needs to know how to clear it and use it against his opponent. In this instructional presentation, Matt Azevedo shows how to clear a collar tie using his elbow pass series. Not only does he demonstrate how to clear the tie, he also demonstrates how to score once the tie has been cleared.

Coach Azevedo breaks down the elbow pass technique into its fundamental positions and identifies three key steps that develop great habits in using it. He also discusses places that less experienced wrestlers will falter and shows how to correct them. He shares several drills to reinforce the fundamentals. The purpose of the drill progression is to get wrestlers familiar with moving their hands and feet in order to get the proper motion to break a collar tie, and develop muscle memory to execute the move in match conditions.

Opponents react in multiple ways to the elbow pass. Coach Azevedo demonstrates seven different attacks off the elbow pass that can be used depending on how your opponent reacts. These attacks include high-level singles, low-level single, comeback single, high crotch, front headlocks and ankle pick. He discusses favorite leg attacks, how to use them to set up other ties or how to attack when no leg is presented.

The elbow pass is a key position that any wrestler (beginner to advanced) can benefit from using properly. Many wrestlers, novice to highly experienced, attack with a collar tie and control the position very well. This presentation teaches how to take away that advantage. Add to it the plethora of attacks that are available and you can move from being controlled to controlling almost every position on your feet.

It will be useful from the beginning to anyone that watches it, from grade school wrestling all the way up to high school. I particularly enjoyed the "Ankle Pick" section, as I believe his adjustment to the move doubles its effectiveness. - Chester Chen

53 minutes. 2014.