Check out weekly technique breakdowns by 3x NCAA champion Jason Nolf, presented by Athletes Ocean.
Thomas Gilman's Underhook Attacks | Technique Tuesday
Aug 4, 2026
In this week's Technique Tuesday, world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Thomas Gilman breaks down a series of attacks off the underhook — all built on one principle: don't force the shot, build tension and let his own reaction hand you the attack.
Gilman starts by pressuring off the back foot until he feels his opponent's weight settle back — only then is the tension there to break. From there he hits a throw-by to the lead leg powered almost entirely by the torso, not footwork: baby step, big step, turn his body with your body, and collect the leg with two hands so there's no elbow for him to lock onto. When the opponent's hips flare back and the leg isn't there, Gilman snaps to a front headlock, jumping the head with the elbow kept tight to his side so his opponent can't duck under, and runs the corner down. And when the opponent squares up, he shifts his weight onto the back foot to load the spring, then takes a big lead step and pulls him over the top into a far-side double — "like you're putting on a t-shirt." Every attack is built for the wrestler who feels stiff or limited: nothing flashy, just strong, repeatable, and effective.
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