Belly-to-back suplex

Belly-to-back suplex is a descriptive name for the suplex — naming the orientation, the attacker’s belly to the opponent’s back, that defines the rear version.

Etymology. “Belly-to-back” describes the attacker chest-to-back behind the opponent before the throw; “suplex” names the overhead arch. The label spells out the rear orientation that “German suplex” names by convention.

Mechanics. Lifting the opponent overhead first requires controlling their body tight to the attacker’s — the rear waistlock removes their base and binds their weight to the attacker’s hips, so the arch can carry a destabilised opponent over rather than fighting a still-grounded one.

Cross-reference. “German suplex” is a sibling alias. Full mechanical coverage on Suplex.