How Wrestling Works Part 2

There are a total of 5 different ways that a person can score, the first being a takedown. A takedown is worth two points and has occurred once a wrestler has taken his opponent down to the mat in a controlling fashion. A wrestler can also get a point for escaping. An escape point is awarded once the person who was down on the mat gets away or returns to a neutral position. Another two points will be given to a wrestler who performs a reversal. A wrestler scores two points for a reversal when your opponent has you down on the mat and you come from underneath and gain control of your opponent. The fourth way to score is by near fall. A near fall is when you have your opponent nearly pinned but not quite. If both shoulders are held for two seconds within four inches of the mat, or if one shoulder touches the mat and the other shoulder is at a 45 degree angle coming down to the mat, the wrestler will get two points. The wrestler will get three points if this position can be held for five seconds. This is slightly different in college, but only because the wrestler will get either two points or four points for near fall and not the two or three points that was previously described. College wrestling also has one more way to score via riding time. If one wrestler has accumulated at least one minute more of time being in control of his opponent on the mat, he will get one point added to his score one the match is over. Penalty points will also be given if any of the following infractions have taken place. There are certain illegal holds that the referee will penalize you for without warning. An illegal hold is normally defined as any maneuver used that could cause bodily harm. There are also technical violations that will lead to penalty points. A wrestler is not allowed to go off the mat or force your opponent off of the mat in order to avoid wrestling. This is also called fleeing the mat. You are also not allowed to grab head gear, the mat, or any article of clothing that the opponent is wearing. A wrestler is also not allowed to lock any part of his hands together in certain situations. If you are down on the mat in a controlling fashion of your opponent, you are not permitted to lock or overlap your hands, fingers or arms around your opponent's body or both legs unless you have met the criteria for a near fall of your opponent, or your opponent stands up and has all his/her weight on two feet, or you have lifted the opponent off the mat.