South Fayette Take Down Club - Glossary of Wrestling Terms

South Fayette Takedown Club Youth Wrestling

Glossary of Wrestling Terms

Control: Control, sometimes called "advantage", is when a wrestler is in a position in which he can control and maintain restraining power over his opponent. The top of offensive wrestler usually maintains a position of control from the rear on the mat.

Defensive Wrestler: The defensive wrestler is considered to be the wrestler who is in a position in which he is being controlled or restar4inede by his opponent. The defensive wrestler is often referred to as the "bottom man".

Default: A default is awarded when one of the competitor's is unable to continue for any reason.

Escape: It is an escape when the defensive wrestler gains a neutral position and his opponent has lost control, while either wrestler is inbounds.

Fall : A fall (or pin) occurs when both shoulders or scapula of wither wrestler are held incorrect with the mat for two continuous seconds, Both shoulders or scapula must be inbounds.

Five Point Move: in Folkstyle wrestling, it is a move, a reversal of a takedown, that will score five points if the opponent is taken directly into a p[inning situation and a 3 point near fall criteria is met..

Forfeit: a wrestler receives A forfeit when his opponent, for any reason, fails to appear for the match.

Near Fall criteria/near fall points: The criteria for earning a near fall is when the offensive wrestler has control of his opponent in a pinning situation and both shoulders or scapula of the defensive wrestler are held within four inches (or less) within the mat; OR when a shoulder or scapula is touching the mat and the other shoulder or scapula is at an angle of 45 degrees or less within the mat. The defensive wrestler's shoulders or scapula must be inbounds to earn near fall points. If these criteria are met for 5 continuos seconds, then the three points are earned.

Near Fall Points: If near fall criteria is met for two continuous seconds, two points are earned. If near fall criteria are met for 5 continuous seconds, then three points are earned. Near fall points are also called "back points".

Neutral Position: neutral position is one in which neither wrestler has control.

Offensive Wrestler: The offensive wrestler is the wrestler which maintains a position in which he controls and maintains restraining power over his opponent. The offensive wrestler is typically referred to as the "top man".

Referees Position: The referees position is a starting position in which one wrestler begins in the defensive position and his opponent begins from the offensive position. The defensive wrestler is located in the center of the circle on his hands and knees. His hand and knees must be parallel to the starting lines on the mat. The offensive wrestler positions himself on the left or right side of his opponent with at least one knee on the mat on the side is positioned. Offensive wrestler must also place the palm of his hand on his opponent's stomach and the far hand on the opponent's elbow.

Reversal: It is a reversal when the defensive wrestler comes from underneath and gains control of his opponent, either on the mat or in a standing position, while inbounds.

Stalling: Stalling is when a wrestler does not wrestle aggressively; continuously avoids contact with his opponent; plays the edge of the mat; delays the match; prevents his opponent from returning to inbounds area; is not attempting to secure a takedown. A wrestler will be warned one time and is penalized on each successive stalling infraction.

Takedown: A takedown occurs when, from a neutral position a wrestler gains control over his opponent down on the mat and is inbounds.

Technical Fall: A technical Fall occurs when a wrestler has scored 15 or more point's then his opponent and the match is terminated. If the wrestler reaches 15 points on a move that places his opponent in a pinning situation, then the offensive wrestler is given the opportunity to pin his opponent.. The situation continues until the period ends, a pin occurs, or the pinning situation ends.

Tiebreaker: In Folkstyle, a tiebreaker referrer to the 30 second sudden death period that is wrestled when two wrestlers are still tied after the one minute overtime period. The wrestler winning the coin flip will be able to choose up, down or force his opponent to choose up or down. The wrestler to score wins, and if neither wrestler scores the offensive (top) wrestler wins.