In popular culture, arm wrestling is commonly interpreted as a display of physical dominance, symbolizing superior strength and toughness between two individuals.

Referees may issue warnings for early movements or delays, such as shifting shoulders or arms before the official signal or releasing the hand peg.

They also may penalize dangerous positions, such as misaligned arms or dropping the shoulder below the elbow pad, as well as crossing the centerline or touching one’s body.

A tournament usually involves successive rounds of a single match (or "pull") between any two opponents and a large number of total participants.

The competitor will combine hand and arm positioning to reduce the opponent's leverage and shift toward the pin pad to gain control.

The hook relies primarily on wrist pressure and arm strength, particularly in the biceps, rather than hand control or technique, in contrast to the toproll.

The competitor's arm should remain at a tight angle, with body movement toward the winning side and the non-competing leg bending to generate momentum.

Effective pressing requires proper alignment with the hips and non-competing leg positioned to avoid blocking the pin.

[22] This movement applies hand pressure on an opponent, opening up their fingers, bending back their wrist, and setting them up for a pin.

[25] This movement involves a competitor lifting their wrist to put pressure on the opponent and forcing them into a disadvantageous position.

[26][27] "Side pressure" involves isometric contraction of the pectoral muscles, internal shoulder rotators, and whole-body movement to generate force against the opponent’s hand, typically sideways across the table toward the pin pad.

[30][31] There is significant debate surrounding the most effective training methods for arm wrestling due to limited empirical research specific to the sport.

Injuries associated with arm wrestling occur most commonly between novices or athletes of significant strength difference, when competitors are forced into unsafe positions out of inexperience or inability to maintain advantage.

Matches or practices involving experienced competitors with the proper conditioning and knowledge produce injuries at a lower rate than novices.

Beginners should attempt to maintain eye contact with their own hand, keep their shoulders square, and pull (rather than push) their opponent to the pin pad, in order to prevent reaching a position that could cause injury.

[39] Modern-day practices and depictions of arm wrestling have been widely practiced during the Edo-period of Japan (Japanese: 腕相撲, romanized: udezumō; formerly known as "wrist wrestling" in this context in English, the literal translation of the Japanese) depicted in art from as early as the 1700s, and recorded in writing as early as the eighth century in the Kojiki.

[39] Arm wrestling was also practiced by Spaniards and Cubans in the nineteenth century, possibly via the influence of Japanese contact; these arm-wrestlers would place a piece of money under each elbow.

A similar sport, "Indian hand wrestling", attested from the early 20th century and commonly ascribed Native American origins, was conducted standing upright.

In late 1954, a "wristwrestling" challenge issued by Jack Homel at Mike Gilardi’s bar in Petaluma, California, sparked local interest and led to the formation of a committee to organize an event for the March of Dimes.

[48] In popular culture, arm wrestling is commonly interpreted as a display of physical dominance, symbolizing superior strength and toughness between two individuals.