Have you ever went to a wrestling meet and had no clue why points were being added to either team on the scoreboard? This happens very frequently in wrestling because you have to know all the logistics of the sport to fully understand what is going on. There are five ways to score in a wrestling match: the takedown, an escape, the reversal, a near fall and penalty points. Knowing these five ways to score will definitely prevent you from ever cheering for the opposing team on accident again.

The takedown is when a wrestler takes their opponent down to the mat and is controlling them from the neutral position, which is when they are on their feet. In a takedown the score can vary from 2-5 points. A wrestler can score five points by performing a throw, in which the wrestler is both up on their feet and they take their opponent off the mat and control them by putting their feet over their head, putting them in a danger position. Three points can be scored when performing a takedown by doing a short throw, which is when the wrestler takes the opponent from their feet and puts them on their back or side. Two points are scored from a takedown by the wrestler when they take their opponent from their feet and put them on their side or stomach so that their back or shoulders are not shown from the mat, and holding them down in this position.

“A couple ways to score points during a match is by using the single leg takedown, a double leg takedown, and an outside single,” junior Alex Scheider said.

A wrestler can get a point from being underneath their opponent and being controlled by them, by coming out of this and then being in the neutral position. This move is called an escape and you receive one point when you perform this defensive move.

A reversal is a lot like an escape, but in a reversal after you come out of being underneath, you then gain control of your opponent. This move will give the wrestler two points and is very difficult to perform.

The fourth way you can gain points in wrestling is called the near fall, which is close to getting your opponent pinned. A near fall is called when your opponent’s shoulders are held for two seconds within four inches of the mat, when one shoulder of your opponent is touching the mat and their other shoulder is coming down toward the mat at a 45 degree angle, or when the opponent is held in a high bridge or has both of their elbows on the mat. If a near fall occurs for two seconds you get two points, and if it happens for five seconds you will receive three points.

One or two penalty points are given to a wrestler when their opponent breaks any of the following rules using an illegal hold, unnecessary roughness, unsportsmanlike conduct, starting in the wrong position, or even stalling before a match.

Remembering these rules when going to your next wrestling meet should help you understand and enjoy the sport more while cheering on the correct team at the correct time.