Freestyle Wrestling Moves and Throws
- March 4, 2022
- TFG Team
- Wrestling
When you’re in a freestyle wrestling match, it’s important to know some basic moves in order to defend yourself and take down your opponent. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the most common freestyle wrestling moves and throws.
Table of Contents
What Is Freestyle Wrestling?
Freestyle wrestling is a type of wrestling that allows both striking and grappling techniques, as opposed to only grappling techniques which are used in Greco-Roman wrestling. Freestyle wrestling is the most common form of wrestling practiced in the United States.
The basic goal in freestyle wrestling is to take your opponent to the ground and pin them down for three seconds. There are a variety of takedowns and throws that can be used to achieve this goal, which we will detail in the next paragraphs.
Freestyle Wrestling Moves Names
1. The single leg takedown
This is one of the most common takedowns in freestyle wrestling. It involves attacking your opponent’s legs to take them down. There are a few different ways to do this, but the most common is to reach out and grab your opponent’s ankle, then pull them towards you while using your other arm to push their upper body away.
2. The double leg takedown
This is another very common takedown in freestyle wrestling. It is very similar to the single-leg takedown but involves grabbing your opponent’s legs with both of your arms.
3. The hip toss
This is a basic throw that can be used to take down your opponent. It involves grabbing your opponent around the waist and then lifting them up and throwing them over your shoulder.
4. The dump
This is another basic throw that can be used to take down your opponent. It involves grabbing your opponent around the waist and then lifting them up and throwing them in front of you.
5. The spin throw
This is a more advanced throw that can be used to take down your opponent. It involves grabbing your opponent around the waist and then spinning them around before throwing them to the ground.
6. The body slam
This is a more advanced throw that can be used to take down your opponent, although it’s different and more “gentle” than the famous “body slam” we know from professional wrestling. It involves grabbing your opponent around the waist and then lifting them up and slamming them to the ground.
7. The suplex
Suplex is a more advanced throw that can be used to take down your opponent. It involves grabbing your opponent around the waist and then lifting them up and throwing them over your head.
8. The double suplex
This is a more advanced throw that can be used to take down your opponent. It involves grabbing your opponent around the waist and then lifting them up and throwing them over your head twice.
9. Fireman carry
This is a more advanced throw that can be used to take down your opponent. It involves grabbing your opponent around the waist and then lifting them up and throwing them over your shoulder.
These are just part of all freestyle wrestling moves. As you can see, there are a variety of takedowns and throws that can be used in freestyle wrestling. It’s important to learn as many of them as possible in order to be successful in a match.
10. Cradle
This is a hold used in freestyle wrestling to pin an opponent’s shoulders to the mat. It is achieved by trapping one of your opponent’s arms between your legs and then using your other arm to push their shoulder down. It is called a cradle because it reminds the way a baby is held in its mother’s arms.
11. Spladle
This is a variation of the cradle hold that is used in freestyle wrestling. It is achieved by trapping one of your opponent’s arms between your legs and then using your other arm to push their shoulder down.
12. Crossface
This is a hold used in freestyle wrestling to pin an opponent’s shoulders to the mat. It is achieved by grabbing your opponent’s head and pushing it towards their shoulder. This hold is very effective in preventing your opponent from escaping.
Basic Freestyle Wrestling Moves for Beginners
if you’re a beginner wrestler, it’s important to learn the basic takedowns and throws. The single-leg takedown and the double leg takedown are two of the most basic takedowns, and the hip toss, dump, and spin throw are all basic throws. Once you have mastered these techniques, you can move on to more advanced moves.
Freestyle Wrestling Moves for Advanced
If you are an advanced wrestler, you should know all of the basic and intermediate takedowns and throws. In addition, you should also learn the hip heist, arm drag, and snap down. These are more advanced techniques that can be used to take down your opponent.
Freestyle Wrestling Moves From Top Position
If you are in the top position on your opponent, you can use a number of different moves to score points or pin your opponent. The most basic move is the Crossface, which involves using your arm to control your opponent’s head and neck.
You can also use a number of different pins to hold your opponent down, such as the guillotine, the body scissors, and the grapevine.
Freestyle Wrestling Moves From the Bottom Position
If you are in the bottom position on your opponent, you can use a number of different moves to escape or reverse the hold. The most basic move is the hip escape, which involves using your hips to push your opponent away. You can also use a number of different reversals to gain control of the match.
Freestyle Wrestling Illegal Moves
There are a number of illegal moves that are considered to be against the rules of freestyle wrestling. The most common illegal move is the head butt, which is when you use your head to strike your opponent.
You can also be penalized for grabbing your opponent’s hair, using excessive force, biting, scratching, or striking your opponent’s genitals. It’s important to be aware of that.
What Is a 5 Point Throw in Freestyle Wrestling?
You receive 5 points if you take down an opponent using a throw of grand amplitude (a throw-in which the wrestler controls the opponent so that his feet are directly over his head) by either standing into direct and immediate danger or from the Par Terre position.
Is Full Nelson Legal in Freestyle Wrestling?
The Full Nelson is not legal in freestyle wrestling and other amateur wrestling forms as well. It is considered illegal because it is considered dangerous and has a high potential for injury.
Are Slams Illegal in Freestyle Wrestling?
Yes, freestyle wrestling allows slams as long as they are in line with the rules, unlike folkstyle wrestling which has different scoring systems and rules that forbid slams.