What Is a Tech Fall in Wrestling?

In wrestling, a tech fall (short for “technical fall“) is a win by a lot of points, usually 15 or more, over the other wrestler. This kind of win is different from a pin (or fall), which terminates the match by pinning an opponent’s shoulders to the mat, and a decision, which is a win based on a smaller point difference at the end of regulation time. The tech fall shows that one wrestler was far better at technical skills and controlling the match than the other.

How a Tech Fall Is Scored

You can get points in several ways, and the scoring system that leads to a tech fall is predicated on that. The most common point values are:

• Takedown (2–3 points): Getting your opponent to the mat and taking control. In high school and folkstyle, it’s usually 2 points. In freestyle and Greco-Roman, it’s also 2 points.
• Reversal (1 point): Getting out of the bottom position and taking control of your opponent.
• Escape (1 point): Getting away from your opponent when you’re on the bottom.
• Near Fall (2–4 points): Keeping your opponent’s shoulders just a few inches off the mat for a set amount of time without getting a pin. In folkstyle, a near fall that lasts 2 seconds is worth 2 points, while one that lasts 5 seconds is worth 3 points. In freestyle and Greco-Roman, a near fall (sometimes called “exposure”) can be worth 2 or 4 points, depending on how bad the grip is.
• Penalty Points (1–2 points): Given to the other player for unlawful moves, stalling, or other rule breaches.

When the point difference hits 15 points (or 10 points, depending on the rules), a tech fall happens. The match ends right away, and the wrestler who has more points is declared the winner.

Tech Falls Across Different Wrestling Styles

There is a tech fall in a few different forms of wrestling; however, the details can be a little different:

• Folkstyle (High School/College): When a wrestler is up by 15 points in American high school and collegiate wrestling, they get a tech fall. You can get points by taking someone down, escaping, reversing, or almost falling. This happens a lot at all levels of the sport. 
• Olympic Styles: Freestyle and Greco-Roman In international wrestling, a tech fall is given when one wrestler is ahead by 10 points in either freestyle or Greco-Roman. There are points for takedowns, exposure (near falls), and throws, and the scoring is faster and more dynamic. In these styles, the 10-point rule helps tech falls happen more often. A single high-amplitude throw can get a wrestler 4 or 5 points, which is a lot of points toward a tech fall.

Why a Tech Fall Is Valued

There are many reasons why a tech decline is very important:

• Statement of Dominance: A tech fall is a clear sign that one wrestler is better than the other in terms of skill, strength, and technique. It shows that the wrestler is in complete control of the other person; therefore, there is no mistake about who is the better wrestler that day.
• Bonus Team Points: In dual meets and tournaments, a tech fall usually gives the team more points than a conventional decision but fewer than a pin. This makes wrestlers want to be aggressive and go for a big win, which may be very important for a team’s success.
• Time Saving: A tech fall saves time in a tournament by terminating the match early, which makes the event go faster and more smoothly.

The Technical Aspect: How to Achieve a Tech Fall

To get a tech fall, a wrestler has to be relentless and good at what they do. It’s not enough to merely score points; you have to keep placing your opponent in scoring positions and take advantage of every chance you have. Some important strategies are:

• Chaining Offense: A wrestler can’t just get one takedown and then sit back. To obtain a tech fall, they have to quickly move from a takedown to a series of turns, like a leg ride, cradle, or cross-face, to score near-fall points. 
• Conditioning and Pace: A wrestler who wants to get a tech fall needs to have more cardio than the other wrestler so they can keep up a fast pace the whole match. They have to keep attacking and never give their opponent a chance to rest or get better. 
• Risk-Taking: A wrestler could take calculated risks, like trying high-amplitude throws or aggressive turns, to get points quickly. These can be dangerous, but they can also give you a lot of points if you do them right. 

In short, a tech fall shows that you are really good at wrestling and have mastered the sport. A lot of wrestlers want to do this since it means not only winning but winning by a lot.

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