What Is A Pinning Hold In Wrestling?

A pin is the ultimate goal of any wrestler in competition. By scoring a pin, the wrestler ends the match immediately and wins. Pinning holds are part of wrestling jargon, both because they are useful tools for winning in competition, and because specific rules of wrestling apply only to pinning holds.

Pinning

In wrestling, you pin an opponent by holding his shoulder blades to the mat for three consecutive seconds. When that happens, the match ends and you win. Even if you don't hold your opponent long enough to score a pin, placing him in that position can score you "near fall" points toward winning the match by decision. In team play, a pin scores 6 points for the winner's team -- twice the value of a victory by points.

Pinning Holds

Pinning holds are any combination of grip that can help you maneuver your opponent and hold him on his back. There are dozens of different pinning holds, but most of them involve wrapping your arms or legs around two parts of your opponent's body. Once you establish that grip, you can roll him onto his back and keep him in position long enough to score the pin.

Rules for Pinning Holds

Under normal circumstances, wrestling competition forbids clasping your hands together while the athletes are on the ground. This keeps the wrestling dynamic by preventing static holds, and reduces the risk of injury from a tight bear hug or choke hold. However, most pinning holds are an exception to this rule. If you wrap your arms around two of your opponent's limbs -- which can include the head -- you may clasp your hands together to seal the pinning hold.

Example of a Pinning Hold

A cradle is perhaps the most easily identified and well-known of pinning holds. To perform a cradle, you wrap one arm around your opponent's neck from behind. You wrap the other around one or both of his legs. From this position, you compress your opponent until you can clasp your hands together. When you roll your opponent onto his back, this compressed position limits his leverage enough that he can't kick his way free immediately.