Last week we looked at the various ways wrestlers can score when they are in the neutral position, that is, both wrestlers on their feet facing each other. From the neutral position, they can score takedowns worth two, four, or even six points. They also can score one point for pushing their opponent out of bounds, but only if there was no takedown.
Once a takedown occurs, the wrestling continues on the ground without a break in the action unless the wrestlers have gone out of bounds. This wrestling on the ground is called wrestling in par terre, which means on the ground. If the wrestlers have gone out of bounds, the referee stops the action and brings both wrestlers back to the center. They would then start in what is called the par terre starting position. In this position the bottom wrestler must start with his hands and knees on the mat and all his joints at right angles, similar to a table with four legs.
The top wrestler must start with his hands touching each other and placed on the bottom wrestler’s back. When wrestling in par terre the top wrestler has about 20 seconds to score on the bottom wrestler or the referee will stop the match, declare a stalemate, and start the wrestlers back in the neutral position.
The top wrestler tries to score by turning the bottom wrestler onto his back. If he can force the bottom’s shoulders to break a right angle to the mat, the referee will award two points for the turn. If during the wrestling on the mat, the top wrestler breaks his back past a right angle, the referee will only give the bottom wrestler points if he causes this to happen or stops the top wrestler on his back.
The most common turns are the two common freestyle wrestling turns, the gut wrench and the leg lace. Other folkstyle turns are also allowed such as bar arms, half and power nelsons, and cradles. The top wrestler is allowed to lock his hands and twist or force limbs anywhere as long as they do not go against the natural range of motion of the joints.
While the top man is doing his best to turn the man on bottom, the bottom man does his best to keep from getting turned. Unlike in American folkstyle, he is not required to get out or reverse the situation. However, if he does get back to the neutral position the referee will award him one point for the escape. If the bottom wrestler reverses the position so he becomes the top wrestler, the referee will award him two points for the reversal. So, while the bottom wrestler only has to defend against a turn, it is to his advantage if he tries to score. He just must be careful not to get turned in the process.
There is one more way to score from par terre. If the top wrestler turns his opponent and, while trying to pin his shoulders to the mat for a fall, can keep him on his back for a five seconds, the referee will award him one extra point for the near fall.
If during the wrestling on the mat, the wrestlers go off the mat, the referee will bring them back and restart them in the center. If they have already been wrestling for about fifteen seconds in par terre, the referee will start them back in the neutral position. there is no pushout point from the par terre position.
We are now well over halfway explaining the rules of wrestling. So far we have looked at the overall objectives of the sport, the various ways to win, how to score from the feet, and now how to score from the mat. Next week we will look at the Bonus, something unique to RealProWrestling. The last two weeks will examine miscellaneous rules and team scoring.
In the future, we plan to post video to the website helping explaining these rules and will post all the rules in one short document. If you have a question concerning anything we have covered so far, ask us on the forum. We monitor the forums and will answer all questions you have.
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