Headscissors are some of the most often-used and efficient holds in women’s competitive mat wrestling. A Headscissor is an extremely efficient way to extract a submission in competitive female wrestling (see some of the DWW matches) and though it is used in professional matches too, it will seldom yield a submission there, as much more spectacular holds are used as finishers there.

A head scissor can be applied from a variety of positions, however the most efficient way is with the defender on her back on the mat and the attacker applying her scissors from the side. This way, she can even immobilize one of the defender’s arms.

Head scissors are usually applied from a ground-wrestling position, after the two opponents have been struggling on the mat for a while. The attacker maneuvers herself into position catching her opponent’s head between her legs. She then clutches her legs together at the ankle and begins to squeeze. In competitive ladies wrestling matches, a well-applied headscissor will often yield a quick submission.

Possible escape: provided the attacker doesn’t pour too much pressure into the hold immediately, the defender can attempt to separate her attacker’s legs at the ankles with her free arm. Once she succeeds in doing that, her opponent will find it impossible to tighten the hold. 

Rating: very efficient in real competitive wrestling, more of a wear-down hold in professional women’s wrestling.