College coaches evaluate wrestling recruits based on their technical consistency and mat awareness. When building your playlist, use the skill tags below to highlight the skills coaches most want to see. Below are the skills that college coaches evaluate in wrestling. 

Wrestling Skills in Playlists:

• Takedowns
• Escapes
• Reversals
• Pins
• Near Falls
• Riding
• Neutral Position
• Match Highlights
• Training
• Other

If you think something is missing or need assistance, submit a form here:  🔗 Form Link → 

⭐ Tip: Wrestling is a sport of continuous movement. If a clip shows a seamless transition, such as a Takedown that immediately leads into a leg lace for Near Falls, be sure to use both tags. Tagging the transition allows coaches to see your "chain wrestling" and how you capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Phases of a Match 

To provide a professional evaluation, organize your clips into these three critical phases. This allows coaches to see your "Baseline" (neutral movement) versus your "Net Play" (finishing and scoring).

Neutral Position (On Your Feet)

This phase is all about movement, setups, and offensive execution.

• Neutral Position: Showcase your hand fighting, footwork, and ability to maintain center-mat positioning.
• Takedowns: Highlight clean setups, explosive finishes, and the ability to maintain control immediately after the score.

Top Position (Control & Dominance)

Show coaches your ability to physically dominate an opponent and hunt for the fall.

• Riding: Demonstrate heavy pressure, "breaking down" the opponent, and mat returns.
• Near Falls: Highlight your ability to turn an opponent and secure back points through technical control.
• Pins: Showcase your "finisher" instinct and the technical precision required to secure the fall.

Bottom Position (Escapes & Reversals)

Recruiters look for wrestlers who are difficult to hold down. Efficiency and urgency are key here.

• Escapes: Demonstrate quickness and technical restarts to get back to your feet.
• Reversals: Show your ability to transition from a defensive position to an offensive one, gaining immediate control.

Performance & Development

• Match Highlights: Use this tag for full sequences that demonstrate your overall stamina, match awareness, and consistency across all three periods.
• Training: Include clips of technical drilling, high-intensity sparring, or strength and conditioning to show your commitment to the grind.
• Other: For unique scrambles or high-amplitude throws that don't fit a standard category.

Now that you know how to categorize your skills by phase, it’s time to build your recruitment profile. After learning what coaches are looking for with your specific position, it’s time to start creating your playlists. Check out our article, “Building Your Playlists,” to get started!