What is a sit-out in wrestling?

Is a sit-out an official term?

The NCAA rules book describes the defensive starting position and the scoring of escapes and reversals, but it does not use the phrase. USA Wrestling’s Folkstyle Level 1 outline for referee’s position lists basic positioning and procedure, stand up and switch. The name therefore comes from coaching vocabulary, and this page reports that gap openly instead of inventing a definition.

Parents hearing the word at practice can treat it as the coach’s name for a movement from the bottom. The rest of this page covers what the rules say about that position.

What must the bottom wrestler do before the whistle?

The rules book requires the defensive wrestler to take a stationary position at the center of the mat with both hands and knees on the mat. Both knees must be even with and behind the rear starting line, the heels of both hands in front of the forward line, and the elbows must not touch the mat. The wrestler must remain motionless, and the referee waits a minimum of one second after the offensive wrestler is set before sounding the whistle.

• Hands and knees on the mat
• Elbows off the mat
• Motionless until the whistle
• Position must let the opponent start on either side

Any movement of the sit-out family therefore begins after the whistle.

How does a successful sit-out get scored?

Definitions are taken from the NCAA book: an escape when the offensive wrestler loses control while any part of either wrestler remains in bounds, and a reversal when the defender gains control of the opponent either on the mat or in a rear-standing position.

Can a bottom wrestler be penalized for doing nothing?

The on-the-mat stalling list in the rules book includes a defensive wrestler not initiating action to escape or reverse the opponent. That does not mean every pause is penalized; the official evaluates the situation and warns first.

The warning process is explained under stalling. Read stalling.

What should a coach or parent ask about a sit-out clip?

1. Did the movement start after the whistle?
2. Did the top wrestler lose control while a point of contact remained in bounds?
3. Was the award an escape, a reversal or nothing?
4. Which other bottom options, such as stand up or switch, does the club teach from that position?

Smart Wrestler scoring records the awarded escape or reversal and its period. A sit-out label can be added to notes outside the official record.