Bottom Wrestling Playbook

Mat Manual companion guide to "Referee's Position Is Not a Rest." Print it. The article teaches the order: base, seal, hands, then move. This book turns that order into drills, chains, rounds, and trackers, so the bottom start stops being the place your wrestling goes to wait.

Name: ______________________________ Gym: ______________________________ Best escape so far: ______________________________ Coach: ______________________________

SAFETY — THE BOTTOM WRESTLER'S RULES ☐ The Granby rolls across the shoulders, never over the head or neck. A roll that goes over the neck stops the round and is re-taught before it is re-attempted. ☐ Tap early and often to every submission threat from underneath: nelsons that become cranks, hammerlocks, double wristlocks, leg locks. Verbal taps count. Tapping in drilling is training, not losing. ☐ Top partners apply all finishes catch-and-release in this book: slow on, position before pressure, instant release on any signal. ☐ Neck pressure that is not steering ends the rep. Bottom wrestlers say "neck" and the round resets. No debate in the moment. ☐ Never post a straight arm and leave it parked behind you. In catch that arm is a submission invitation, not a base. ☐ A bottom wrestler with neck pain, arm symptoms, or dizziness reports it and stops. Stop rules outrank every drill here.

Part 1: The Base, Specified

Build it the same way every time. The start ritual below takes three seconds and is drilled until it is automatic.

Start ritual, in order: hands plant, knees set, head up, hips settle back, one breath, hands go hunting (Part 4). Three seconds. Never skipped, even in the last round of the night, especially in the last round of the night.