Nelson hold

A nelson hold is a grappling hold which is executed by one person from behind the opponent, generally when both are on the mat face down with the opponent under the aggressor. One or both arms are used to encircle the opponent's arm under the armpit, and secured at the opponent's neck. Several different nelson holds exist, and they can be separated according to the positioning of the encircling arm(s). A nelson is used to control an opponent or to turn them over onto their back and execute a pin.

The etymology of the term is uncertain. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term first appeared as "full Nelson" in an 1873 Pall Mall Gazette article where a coroner commented on its danger following a wrestling match. The name is perhaps a reference to Admiral Horatio Nelson, in whose honor several other terms were named, such as "Nelson's blood" (rum).