Wrestling words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 16 words · Step 2 of 2

Basic setup terms

Judge and mat chairman

The two officials, besides the referee, who judge a bout.

Scoring and winning terms

Classification points

Points awarded after a bout to rank wrestlers: 5 for a win by fall, injury, forfeit, three cautions or disqualification; 4 for a win by technical superiority; 3 for a win on points. The loser gets one point if they scored any technical points in a bout won on points or by technical superiority.

Fouls and rule terms

Challenge

A coach's request to review a decision. If the original decision is confirmed, the opponent is awarded a point.

Miscellaneous terms

Repechage

Second-chance matches for wrestlers who lost to one of the two finalists. The winners of the two repechage groups each receive a bronze medal.

Technique terms

Ankle pick

A takedown where the wrestler grabs an opponent's ankle to unbalance and bring them down.

See also: Takedown

Duck under

A move where a wrestler ducks under an opponent's arm to get behind them for a takedown.

See also: Takedown

Fireman's carry

A takedown where the wrestler lifts the opponent across their shoulders before bringing them down.

See also: Takedown

Gut wrench

A move from the par terre position where a wrestler wraps around the opponent's midsection and rolls them for points.

Whizzer

An arm placed over an opponent's shoulder to control their upper body and prevent a takedown.

See also: Takedown

Granby roll

A defensive rolling technique used to escape a tough position from the bottom.

Positional terms

Par terre

The ground position. When one wrestler brings the other to the mat, wrestling continues in par terre, with the wrestler underneath defending or counterattacking. The referee can restart the bout standing if the attack stalls.

Danger position

A wrestler is in danger when their back is at an angle of less than 90 degrees to the mat while they resist a fall, for example by bridging, supporting themselves on elbows or rolling on their shoulders. Holds that put an opponent there score points.

Body lock

A tight grip around an opponent's torso, often used to control position during a throw or takedown.

Underhook

Arm control positions, with the underhook going under the opponent's arm and the overhook going over it, each offering different advantages.

Also called: overhook

Match and rule terms

Criteria

The tie-breakers when points are level, taken in order: the action of highest value, the most actions of that value, the fewest cautions, then the last technical point scored.

Exposure

Turning an opponent's back towards the mat into the danger position. A hold that places the back at an angle of less than 90 degrees scores 2 points.