The jackknife pin is without a doubt one of the most sensual and sexy female wrestling holds. Its appealing nature probably stems from the fact that the victim is completely and utterly defeated and exposed in it, with her bottom up and face down, looking more helpless than at any other time during the match. The jackknife pin has several variations and it’s also known as the matchbook pin (because the attacker folds the defender in half like a book of matches) or folding pin (mostly in the UK). The below description is that of only one jackknife pin variation. In our holds section you’ll probably see other jackknife/folding/matchbook pin variations too, under different names.

The victim is on her back on the floor/mat, set up for the finisher by a high amplitude slam/throw. The attacker picks both of her legs up at the ankles, and takes them up and over, folding the victim into half, then she slips onto her opponent’s folded legs stomach down to punctuate the hold with her body-weight.

A reverse variant where the attacker locks the victim’s leg under her arms while sitting on her face is also popular.

Possible escape: once you’re in a jackknife pin, there’s not much you can do but attempt to power your way out of it or try to collapse the hold sideways, thus effectively getting your shoulders off the mat.

Rating: besides being one of the most spectacular pins, the jackknife pin is also a quite efficient move. Once you see it put on and sunk in, you can be pretty certain that the match is over.