Two wrestlers on a round mat try to take each other down and control each other, without punches or kicks. Points come from taking the opponent down, turning them onto their back, and pushing them out of the circle. Holding both of the opponent's shoulders on the mat for a moment (a pin, or fall) wins at once.
The styles
In freestyle, wrestlers may attack the legs and use the legs to attack. In Greco-Roman, only holds above the waist are allowed. Children start with games and movement, then learn the basic positions and rules at a club.
How bouts work
Bouts are short, in timed periods, between wrestlers of similar weight and age. A bout is won by a pin, by a large points lead, or by having more points at the end. The referee stops the bout at once for any dangerous hold.
Rules children break first
Shake hands before and after every bout.
"Stop" ends any game at once, for both partners.
Never pull on the neck, head or fingers.
Never try throws or holds at home; partners of the same size only.
Short nails, clean kit, and tell the coach about any skin mark.
At home and in the park you start with
Animal walks, rolling and falling safely, chasing and flag games, partner games with a stop signal, and foot tap and palm push. Every takedown, hold and pin is learnt at a club.
Words you will hear (22, in plain language)
Mat
The soft wrestling surface and the round area bouts are fought in.
Bout
One contest between two wrestlers, and one timed part of it.
Stance
The low, ready position with knees bent and hands up.
Takedown
Bringing the opponent from standing to the mat under your control.
Single-leg
Takedowns that attack one leg or both legs.
Sprawl
Throwing the legs back to stop a leg attack.
Hand fighting
Fighting for control of the opponent's hands and arms.
Escape
Getting out from underneath, or turning it round to get on top.
Riding
Keeping control from on top, and rolling the opponent toward their back.
Bridging
Arching on the head and feet to keep the shoulders off the mat.
Pin
Holding both of the opponent's shoulders on the mat; it wins the bout.
Par terre
Wrestling on the ground, with one wrestler on hands and knees.
Freestyle
The two Olympic styles; Greco-Roman allows no holds below the waist.
Passivity
Being too defensive, which the referee can penalise.
Weight category
A group of wrestlers of similar weight, and checking weight before an event.
Weight cutting
Losing weight quickly before a weigh-in; not safe for young wrestlers.
Headgear
Guards for the ears and knees.
Animal walks
Bear walk (on hands and feet, hips level), crab walk (tummy up), frog jump and duck walk (a deep squat walk).
Side fall
Falling onto the side and slapping the mat with the whole forearm to spread the impact.
Tails
A chasing game where each player has a scarf tucked in the waistband to protect.
Foot tap
Traditional partner games of tapping the partner's feet or knees, or pushing palms to unbalance.
Skin infection
A rash or sore that can spread between wrestlers on a mat; it must be shown to the coach.
Nobody is late. A beginner of any age starts at Basic.
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Basic7 cards · show· hideFirst movement and the start of wrestling: movement (run, jump, roll), balance, tumbling and falling safely, chasing games, and orientation to the idea of controlling a partner without force.
Intermediate1 cards · show· hideFormal training (about 12 to 16): core skills by repetition (takedowns such as the single and double leg, sprawls, escapes, riding and turning on the ground, with the principles of action, reaction and deception), cross-training off the mat, seasons of 8 to 12 weeks or more, training 2 to 4 times a week, and 10 to 20 matches a year.
Advanced1 cards · show· hideCompeting (about 17 and older): specialisation, personal strategies, a lot of training (5 to 8 sessions a week), linking attacks one after another, wrestling on the ground (par terre), and the rules on pace and passivity, careful weight management. Greco-Roman (no holds below the waist) needs its own plan.
Contact, falls, weapons or heights. At home only games and knowledge; the skill is taught at a club.
You do not need to know the sport. Each card tells you where to stand, what to say and what to look at.
Pick one thing to say in a session and say only that. The first week looks messy; that is normal.
End every session on one that works.
Cards marked At a club are taught by a coach. They tell you what the
coach teaches, what is safe at home, and what to ask the club before your child joins.