Overhead Arm Pull
A standing side lean that pulls one raised arm overhead to stretch the back of the arm and the side.
Demonstration
Official photo sequences from the Army's drill manual, read left to right, top to bottom.
Photos: U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training, ATP 7-22.02. Approved for public release.
How to perform it
Recovery Drill, exercise 1 of 8
Held position, on commandHold each position 20–30 seconds.
Starting position
Straddle Stance with hands on hips.
Straddle Stance: Stand with the feet pointing ahead and shoulder-width apart. ATP 7-22.02, para. 2-5, p. 2-3 (opens the official PDF)
Commands and movement
- 1READY, STRETCH. Raise the left arm overhead, grasp above the left elbow with the right hand, and pull right while leaning right. Feel the stretch in the left triceps and flank. Hold 20–30 seconds.
- 2STARTING POSITION, MOVE. Return to the starting position.
- 3CHANGE POSITION, READY, STRETCH. Repeat on the right side.
- 4STARTING POSITION, MOVE. Return to the starting position.
ATP 7-22.02, para. 16-3, p. 16-1, Figure 16-1 (opens the official PDF)
What it develops
Develops flexibility of the joints in the arms, shoulders, and trunk.
Focus: Triceps, Shoulders, Flank
Form
Drawn from the cited instructions.
Cues
- Grasp above the elbow, not the forearm.
- Lean with the pull to feel the stretch in the triceps and flank.