The Surfboard is theoretically a submission hold because it targets joints and inflicts pain with no impact involved, but it is not really an efficient submission hold at all. In women’s professional wrestling, you’ll mostly see it used as a wear down hold, the goal of which is to weaken the victim’s arms and shoulders in order to prepare her for a more efficient submission hold targeting the same joints.

The victim is on her stomach on the mat, or she’s kneeing or sitting on the floor. The attacker grabs hold of both her wrists and pulls both her arms backward and up, while placing a boot between her shoulder blades. She then pushes forward with her leg and pulls back on the arms in the same time to increase the pressure.  The attacker has the option to push forth with her leg and then to suddenly release to victim’s arms to drive her face into the mat. Thus a twist can be added to the hold.

Possible escape: Some girls can roll forth in a Surfboard, thus ending up face-up on the mat in front of their opponents. From that position they can kick their attacker or they can even flip her over to turn the tide for good.

Rating: although it does target joints and it does aim to cause pain through limb-twisting and pressure, the Surfboard hardly qualifies as a legit submission hold. You’ll see it often in women’s wrestling matches, but most of the time you’ll see it used to wear an opponent down rather than to bring a conclusion to a bout.