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Atlantic Canadian Junior Arm Wrestling Training - The Top Roll The top roll is the most popular move in arm wrestling. This move, made famous in Sylvester Stallone's "Over The Top" can be difficult to learn since there is so are so many things to remember. This move requires wrist and forearm strength. The main thing to remember with a Top Roll is to pull back to yourself. As you pull back make sure that your wrist does not drop. Concentrate on pulling the bottom knuckle on your index finger to your nose. As you do this bend your wrist to break your opponent's grip on your hand. Concentrate on breaking the grip one finger at a time starting with the baby finger and working your way up. Again remember not to pull so much with your wrist that your hand drops down (see bottom picture). Although your main focus is back pressure do not forget side pressure. Without side pressure you are susceptible to a side shot where your opponent hits you sideways and takes away your top roll. If you want to make a hit, do so in a manner that you do not spread yourself out. You will want to keep the same distance between your hand and shoulder at all times. The farther you get from your hand the weaker you get. When making a hit keep one thing in mind - control. Don't go for the big hit and lose control of the match. By that I mean if you don't pin your opponent off the go make sure that that you have not lost your fingers inside your opponent's hand (again see bottom picture). Sometimes it is best just to make a hit that allows you to control the match. Once you have control you can work your opponent to the pin line. The Hook Shoulder Roll Sylvio (right) has top rolled Sean so that his wrist is out over Sean's fingers. This is almost the same thing from a different angle. Edouard is out on Sean's fingers which makes it very difficult for him to make a comeback Here two top rollers are going at it. The man on the left allowed his opponent to climb over his fingers. Also notice the angle of the wrists. With his wrist bent down it is almost impossible for him to make a comeback. Also if there is a slip-out he will usually be blamed for it.