Wrestling as a sport requires physical attributes such as strength, speed, endurance and flexibility. However, it's not just a physical contest. The degree to which a wrestler has mastered his moves, and knows how to apply them in the context of a match, is the degree to which that wrestler can be successful. A comprehensive guide to each of the hundreds of wrestling moves would fill many books. However, you can learn basic strategy by considering moves in the context of scoring.
Takedowns
A takedown in wresting means taking your opponent to the ground and establishing control over him. In collegiate wrestling, a takedown scores two points. Common takedowns include leg control, arm control and throws. Leg control takedowns, such as the single-leg and double-leg, immobilize an opponent's legs and wrench the upper body off balance. Moves such as a standing arm bar establish arm control and lever an opponent to the ground. Throws toss an opponent down. Examples of throws include the hip throw, head-and-arm throw and fireman's carry.
Escapes
If you've been taken down in a wrestling match, you can score one point by getting to your feet and releasing any holds your opponent has on you. The stand-up and sit-out escapes are the two most common moves for achieving this. In most cases, however, an escape comes when a wrestler salvages some advantage out of a failed attempt at a reversal.
Reversals
Wrestlers score two points for a reversal by moving from being under control of his opponent to establishing control himself. In most cases, you score a reversal by getting hold of an opponent's leg or arm and levering yourself out from under him while simultaneously turning around to establish control. A sit-out reversal does this by hooking the leg, while a granby roll accomplishes this by flipping an opponent over your shoulder. You can also use leg and arm control takedown techniques, modified for use while already down on the mat.
Near Falls
If you turn your opponent over so his back is less than 90 degrees from the mat, you score two or three points depending on how long you can maintain that position. The key to getting near-falls -- colloquially called "back points" -- is to flip your opponent over while maintaining control of his body. Half-nelsons do this by levering the arm against the head. Leg rides do it by levering the upper body as you pin the legs and hips to the mat. Takedown throws can bring your opponent to the mat with his back already in position to score points.
Pins
The ultimate goal of wrestling is to score a pin: holding your opponent's back to the mat for three seconds, stopping and winning the match instantly. Pinning combinations are moves that immobilize two or more body parts in order to successfully pin an opponent. The cradle captures the head and one or both legs. A head and arm immobilizes the head and one arm, along with most of the upper body. A spladle or stack can pin by trapping both arms and the neck.
References
- NCAA Publications: NCAA Wrestling Rules
- Andy Brick; Wrestling Coach; Hillsboro, Ore
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