Check out weekly technique breakdowns by 3x NCAA champion Jason Nolf, presented by Athletes Ocean.
Jarrett Jacques's Head Pinches & Chest Wraps | Technique Tuesday
Aug 25, 2026
In this week's Technique Tuesday, US national team member out of Missouri Jarrett Jacques — owner of one of the best head pinches in the country — breaks down freestyle neutral defense for when your opponent shoots in on your legs. It all starts with one idea most young guys get wrong: don't force a head pinch or chest wrap just because it's freestyle. A takedown is worth the same two points, so take the easy score first, then hit the big move when it's actually there.
From the front headlock he calls "mantis," Jacques shows the simple go-behind: side step, slam the elbow to the mat, hand to the belly button, catch the armpit, and run the corner chasing ankle or hamstring for an easy takedown. Then he builds to his personal favorite, the chest wrap from a normal front headlock — locking elbows tight, and when the opponent pushes down like a push-up, scooping the tricep up with his forearm so the lock shifts from the center of the chest to the armpit and straightens the arm, then sliding his knee between shoulder and ear to pop him over. Finally he hits the chest wrap off a single-leg attack: baseline sprawl, step the leg up to punch the arm deep, lock over the pinky in the far armpit, and forearm the arm over the head before the baseball slide. Score the easy two first — the chest wrap is there when he gives it to you.
⚡ Watch the full instructional now: https://app.athletesocean.com/product/jacques-freestyle-defense
