What Is Riding in Wrestling?

Wrestling is a popular sport that involves various techniques and moves to overpower opponents. One such technique is riding, which plays a crucial role in gaining control and dominance over your opponent. In this article, we will explore what riding is in wrestling and its significance in the sport.

Understanding Riding:
Riding refers to the act of maintaining control over your opponent from a top position while on the ground. It involves using various techniques to keep your opponent down and prevent them from escaping or scoring points.

Importance of Riding:
Riding is an essential aspect of wrestling as it allows you to dictate the pace of the match and keep your opponent on the defensive. By effectively riding your opponent, you can control their movements, exhaust their energy, and even set up scoring opportunities for yourself.

Techniques used in Riding:

1. Breakdowns:
Breakdowns are moves used to bring your opponent from a neutral position to the ground, making it easier for you to maintain control. Common breakdown techniques include the spiral ride, cross-body ride, and three-quarter Nelson.

2. Leg Riding:
Leg riding involves using your legs to control your opponent’s movements. Techniques like the figure-four leg ride, Turk ride, and near wrist far ankle ride are commonly used for leg riding.

3. Tilts and Turns:
Tilts and turns are used to expose your opponent’s back to the mat, increasing your chance of scoring points or getting a pin. Techniques such as the bar-arm tilt, chicken wing tilt, and power half are commonly employed for tilting and turning.

The Art of Riding:

Riding requires a combination of technique, strength, agility, and situational awareness. It’s not just about physically overpowering your opponent but also strategically utilizing different riding techniques based on their style and weaknesses.

• It’s important to maintain a strong base while riding, ensuring stability and preventing your opponent from escaping.
• Constant pressure and control are crucial in riding. Applying pressure on your opponent’s body, particularly the hips and shoulders, can limit their movement and make it harder for them to escape.
• Utilize hand control techniques to maintain a tight grip on your opponent’s wrists, preventing them from creating separation or executing escapes.

The Role of Riding in Scoring:

Riding not only helps in gaining control but also plays a significant role in scoring points. In amateur wrestling, you can earn points for exposing your opponent’s back to the mat or maintaining control for a certain period.

• If you manage to turn your opponent’s shoulders to the mat at an angle of fewer than 45 degrees, you score back points.
• If you can hold your opponent down for a specific duration (usually 2 seconds), you earn near-fall points.

Riding is also instrumental when it comes to accumulating riding time. In collegiate wrestling, if you ride your opponent for more than one minute during a match, you gain an additional point.

Conclusion:

Riding is an essential aspect of wrestling that allows wrestlers to gain control over their opponents while showcasing their technical skills and physical prowess. By utilizing various riding techniques effectively, wrestlers can dominate the match, tire out their opponents, and create scoring opportunities. So next time you step onto the wrestling mat, remember the importance of riding and its potential impact on achieving victory.