Wrestling terms for new parents

The basics

These are the words you will hear at almost every practice and match.

Bout

Another word for a single match between two wrestlers.

Dual meet

A competition between two teams, where wrestlers of the same weight class face one another and the results combine into a team score.

Tournament

An event with many wrestlers in brackets by weight and age or experience group. Wrestlers may have several matches in a day.

Weight class

The bracket a wrestler competes in, based on weight, so opponents are of similar size.

Weigh-in

The official weighing of wrestlers before competition to confirm their class.

Folkstyle

The style of wrestling used in American high school and college programs and in many youth programs.

Period

A timed segment of a match. How many and how long varies by league.

Positions

Neutral

Both wrestlers are standing and neither has control.

Top

The wrestler in control above the opponent on the mat.

Bottom

The wrestler beneath, trying to get free or reverse.

Referee's position

The starting position for some periods, with one wrestler on hands and knees and the other on top.

Scoring terms

Takedown

Taking the opponent from standing to the mat and gaining control. Two points in standard folkstyle.

Escape

Getting free from the bottom position and back to neutral. One point.

Reversal

Going from the bottom to control on top. Two points.

Near fall

Holding the opponent's back close to the mat for a set time. Points depend on the rule set and the time held.

Pin (fall)

Holding both of the opponent's shoulders to the mat for the required time. It ends the match.

Technical fall (tech fall)

A match that ends early because one wrestler leads by a large enough margin, as set by the rules in use.

Decision

A win on points when the match ends without a pin.

Overtime

Extra time used to break a tie.

Actions and calls

Stalling

Avoiding wrestling, for example by backing away or not engaging. It can lead to warnings and penalty points.

Riding

Staying in control on top of an opponent. Some rule sets award credit for it, and others do not.

Sprawl

A defensive move where a wrestler throws the legs back to stop a takedown attempt.

Shot

An attack on the opponent's legs, usually to score a takedown.

Out of bounds

When wrestling action leaves the circle on the mat and the referee stops and restarts the action.

Illegal hold

A move that is banned because it could injure a wrestler. The referee stops the match if one occurs.

Where to go next

A good habit at your first few meets is to pick one term at a time and listen for it. Try spotting a takedown in the first match, an escape in the second and a stalling warning if one happens. Naming what you see makes the sport easier to follow, and your child will enjoy explaining it to you on the ride home.

Terms and point values can differ a little between youth, high school and college rule sets, so treat this glossary as a starting point and ask your coach or league for its rulebook. Put the words in context with wrestling rules for beginners and learn how matches are structured in weight classes and positions explained. Do not hesitate to ask your coach, because most wrestling parents are happy to explain what they have learned.

Words you will hear from the stands

You will also hear coaches and fans calling out short instructions, such as "hips," "head up," "hand fight" or "get off your back." These are reminders about technique, and they change from coach to coach, so do not worry about memorizing them. If you are unsure what a referee's signal means, watch the scorer's table, where points are tracked, or ask a team parent who has been through a season. Over the course of a few meets, the language will start to feel natural.