The stepover toehold is basically a submission hold, although you're not really likely to see a women's wrestling match end in a submission brought about by one such hold. The stepover toehold is most often used to control the victim and to weaken her legs, setting them up for a subsequent - more efficient - submission hold targeting the same area.

The attacker gets the victim on her back, then picks up the targeted leg, steps over it (hence the name of the hold) and locks her foot under her upper arm. The attacker has the option of twisting the victim's foot, thus putting more pressure on the ankle. She can just tighten the hold with the foot locked under her upper arm, in which case the knee will be targeted. By pushing downward on the locked leg, she'll put pressure on the hip and the knee.

The stepover toehold is one of the most frequently used submission-type holds in women's wrestling, despite its limited efficiency.

Possible escape : the stepover toehold can be reversed relatively easily, and if you see it applied in a ladies match, you're likely to see it reversed too. Because it leaves one of the victim's legs free, it offers her room to maneuver. Skilled wrestlerettes will put their free foot on the attacker's chest and push her backwards, while standing up in the same time. Because of the nature of the lock, that way they'll have the stepover toehold locked on the former attacker in a complete reversal.

Rating : As said above, the stepover toehold is not exactly the most efficient submission hold. It is most often used to weaken an opponent's legs. Applied repeatedly, it can be pretty efficient at that though.