Patriots Wrestling Club

Wrestling Terms

Basic Positions & Actions

  • Neutral: Both wrestlers are standing and neither has control. This is how matches start.
  • Top ( Referee’s position ): The wrestler who is in control and on top of the opponent.
  • Bottom ( Referee’s position ): The wrestler who is underneath and trying to escape or reverse.
  • Takedown: Bringing your opponent from standing to the mat and gaining control
  • Escape: Getting away from your opponent’s control and returning to the neutral position.
  • Reversal: Switching from bottom to top and gaining control.

Match Structure & Rules

  1. Period: A match is made up of 3 periods, usually 1 or 2 minutes, depending on age level.
  2. Referee’s Position: The starting position for the 2nd and 3rd periods, if not beginning neutral
  3. Control: When one wrestler has dominant position over the other.
  4. Mat Return: Bringing your opponent back down to the mat if they try to stand up.
    • What it is: Winning by 1 to 7 points at the end of the match
    • Results: You win at the end of the third period
    • Team points: 3