RAPID WRESTLING TAG TEAM

RAPID WRESTLING TAG TEAM combines two unique and popular formats into one exciting day. 

In short, teams of two wrestlers compete in various situations. Some of these are fun, while others are common positions wrestlers find themselves in. In all cases, though, the situations help wrestlers learn and develop. Contests are short and move quickly. This is an innovative format that is fun and educational. 

The easiest way to describe this innovative format is to describe Tag Team and Rapid Wrestling separately:

WHAT IS TAG TEAM?
In most cases, a wrestler is paired with another wrestler to form a team. They compete against other teams. You can pick your teammate, as long as they are within 12 months of DOB and close in body weight (5% difference). They can be of differing experience levels, as well, because friends often are. 

If you don't designate a teammate, we will do our best to pair your wrestler with an appropriate teammate (preferably from your own club). In some cases, this is not possible. But don't worry---you can still wrestle. If a wrestler isn't on a team, we will find a way to create competitive bouts for them. Best scenario---find a friend or teammate you'd like to compete with. After that, we don't make promises, but we'll do our best to include them in the Tag Team competitions.

​WHAT IS RAPID WRESTLING?
In this format, wrestlers do not compete in full matches. Instead, they compete in various situations as described below (this allows wrestlers to practice and prepare beforehand). The situations are short and conducted rapidly! 
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In Tag Team, each teammate will compete against a member of the opposing team in the Rapid Wrestling situations. Each wrestler competes in all 7 situations, and scoring is cumulative. The scores of both teammates' contests are combined to determine the winning team in the match. 

2020 Rapid Wrestling Contests:
(these contests change each year)

  • Attack Bandz (30 seconds). If you remove your opponent’s ankle band, you receive two points. This is a great exercise for body awareness and keeping in a good stance.
  • Sudden Victory (30 seconds). This is just neutral “overtime” wrestling---If you get the takedown you get two points. You can also get back points if taken down directly to back. This contest is a common situation and encourages wrestlers to attack and be aggressive.
  • Cross Wrist (30 seconds for each opponent). Start with a cross wrist with opponent flat on mat. Bottom person needs to learn how to clear wrist and build back up to base. Top person has a ton of options (e.g., turk, backhook, bundle, ball and chain series---or let opponent up to knees for Cross Wrist Roll, Rebar Tilt or Stack, etc. Score as many points as you can.
  • Escape from Alcatraz (12 seconds for each opponent)---wrestlers have a short time to escape/reverse or ride out. This teaches strategy and the need for explosive moves on bottom. 
  • Horse Races. This is always super popular and helps wrestlers develop balance and a solid base. One wrestler is on hands and knees (the horse); teammate gets on top (the rider) and cannot touch the ground. The two partners race the other team across the mat. Winning team scores two points.
There are pins, but it doesn’t end the competition. The pinner receives 5 points for his/her team.

Points are cumulative in Tag Team. In other words, teammates' points are added together to determine the winning team. 
VIDEO:
HOW TAG TEAM WORKS (JAN 26, 2020)
Note: We may do these contests in a different order than shown in this video.

​VIDEO: HIGHLIGHTS FROM FEB 2018 TOURNEY
Our first Rapid Wrestling tournament was held in early 2015--here are the champions. Do you recognize anybody?!