What is par terre in wrestling?

• A wrestler with at least one knee on the mat is in par terre for scoring.
• From on top, a turn that puts the opponent's back at less than 90 degrees scores 2, a lift into the danger position scores 4, and a grand amplitude throw into danger scores 5.
• The wrestler underneath scores 1 for a reversal: coming out and passing behind.
• If the wrestler on top cannot make progress against good defence, the referee stops the bout after a reasonable time and restarts it standing.
• The wrestler on top has no right to stop the action or ask to stand.
• A brief loss of knee contact with the mat does not turn it into standing wrestling.

The ordered position, used when the referee restarts the bout on the ground:

• Underneath: flat on the stomach in the centre of the mat, arms stretched forward, legs stretched back, not crossed, hands and feet touching the mat.
• On top: kneeling at the side with both knees on the mat, both hands placed on the opponent's back.
• On the whistle the wrestler underneath may defend or stand up.
• Refusing the correct position: a verbal warning first. The second time, the wrestler on top loses the position and the bout restarts standing. The wrestler underneath is cautioned and the opponent gets 2 points.

In Greco-Roman the wrestler underneath is tightly limited:

• No more than one hand on the opponent's upper body or arms.
• No defending with closed arms, or blocking with the elbows and knees, until the hold is locked.
• No jumping forward out of the hold. Moving sideways is allowed.
• No active use of the legs, and no bending or raising them to stop a hold.

Ground wrestling is where a takedown is turned into bigger points or a fall. The stand-up after a stalemate keeps a wrestler from lying on top to run down the clock.