The standing headlock is one of the most basic wrestling moves, one that every kid is likely to have already applied in his/her life. The side headlock is one of the first moves a wrestler makes to control her opponent. The attacker gets an arm around the victim’s neck and pulls downward on it while turning to the left (if she applies the hold with her right arm) or right (if she uses her left arm). This motion forces the victim to yield to the pressure and to bend in the direction her opponent wants her to.

The side headlock is the starting point for a variety of different throws, all meant to capitalize on the momentary control obtained by the attacker to take the victim’s peril further.

Possible escape: the victim can either force her way out of the hold, or she can let her opponent toss her and then attempt to reverse the situation afterwards.

Rating: Because it is an extremely basic hold, the standing headlock will never be used as a finisher or anything close to that. It usually initiates action, and sets the victim up for a follow-up move. It is efficient though at what it’s trying to achieve.