The best wrestling cheers are short, sharp chants timed to the action on the mat: a takedown, an escape, a reversal or a wrestler fighting off their back. Unlike football or basketball cheers, wrestling cheers work best between whistles and at scoring moments, and they should support your wrestler without distracting officials or taunting the opponent. Below are ready to use chants, a guide to when to use them, etiquette rules and tips for building a strong wrestling cheer routine.
How wrestling cheer is different
Wrestling is an individual sport inside a team format. Only two athletes compete at a time, matches are short, and the gym is often small and quiet enough that every word carries. That changes how cheer squads work. Long cheers with stunts and full choreography rarely fit, because the action can change in a second and a long routine can drown out a coach’s instructions to the wrestler.
Instead, wrestling cheer relies on quick chants, crowd energy and good timing. Cheerleaders need to understand the basic moves so they can react to what is happening. A chant for a takedown during a pin attempt, or an escape chant when your wrestler is on top, shows the squad is not paying attention.
Wrestling cheers and chants
Replace [Team] with your school or team name. Keep the rhythm tight and the volume strong.
- Take ’em down! Take ’em down!
- Ride ’em out, [Team], ride ’em out!
- Escape, escape, get up and go!
- Reverse, reverse, turn it around!
- Stick ’em, [Team], stick ’em!
- Hold on tight, you’ve got this fight!
- Keep the pressure, keep the pace!
- Fight! Fight! Fight! [Team], fight!
- Back on your feet, can’t be beat!
- Hands in, head up, [Team] on top!
- Off your back, get back on track!
- Shoot, score, [Team] wants more!
- Push the pace, win the race!
- Pin, pin, [Team] will win!
When to use each type of cheer
| Moment in the match | Cheer type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Start of a match | Energy and support | Fight! Fight! Fight! [Team], fight! |
| Neutral position | Attack cheers | Take ’em down! Take ’em down! |
| Your wrestler on top | Control and pin cheers | Ride ’em out, [Team], ride ’em out! |
| Your wrestler on bottom | Escape and reversal cheers | Escape, escape, get up and go! |
| Your wrestler on their back | Encouragement | Off your back, get back on track! |
| Near fall or pin attempt | Short, driving chants | Stick ’em, [Team], stick ’em! |
| After a win | Celebration, brief and respectful | Shoot, score, [Team] wants more! |
Understanding the moves you are cheering for
You do not need to be a wrestling expert, but knowing a few terms helps you choose the right chant at the right moment.
- Takedown: taking the opponent from standing to the mat and gaining control. This is the main way to score from the neutral position.
- Escape: the wrestler on bottom gets free and back to a neutral position.
- Reversal: the wrestler on bottom comes out on top in control.
- Riding: the wrestler on top keeps control of the opponent on the mat.
- Near fall: the opponent’s back is exposed toward the mat for a set time, earning points.
- Pin or fall: holding both of the opponent’s shoulders to the mat for the required time, which ends the match.
Rulebook note: scoring values and pin times differ between high school, college and international styles, and they are updated from time to time. Check your governing body’s current rulebook, such as the NFHS rules for US high school wrestling, if you want exact scoring.
Cheering at dual meets vs tournaments
Wrestling events come in two main formats, and each calls for a slightly different approach. A dual meet is a head to head team competition where wrestlers from two schools face off one weight class at a time. The team score builds throughout the night, which gives cheerleaders a natural storyline. Team score chants, introductions for each wrestler and big energy before the final weight classes all work well at duals.
Tournaments are longer and more spread out. Several mats run at once, matches overlap, and your wrestlers may compete at unpredictable times over a full day or weekend. Squads often split up to cover different mats, or focus on key rounds such as semifinals and finals. Pace your energy, keep chants simple, and stay aware of which mat your wrestler is on so you do not cheer at the wrong moment for someone else’s match.
Supporting wrestlers between matches
Wrestling is demanding, and many wrestlers compete after long weeks of training. Cheerleaders can support the team outside of live matches too, with posters for senior nights, spirit signs in the hallways, and short introductions for each wrestler at duals. Positive, consistent support across the season helps build a strong team atmosphere in a sport that often gets less attention than football or basketball.
How to build a wrestling cheer routine step by step
- Learn the basics of the sport. Watch a few matches with a wrestler or coach and learn the positions and scoring moves.
- Pick 8 to 12 core chants. A short list the whole squad knows well is better than a long list nobody remembers.
- Group chants by situation. Sort them into neutral, top, bottom and pin situations so you can switch instantly.
- Choose a caller. One captain watches the mat and calls which chant to start, keeping the squad together.
- Practice timing. Rehearse starting and stopping chants quickly on a whistle.
- Talk to the coaches. Ask whether there are moments they need quiet to communicate with wrestlers.
- Review after meets. Note which chants worked, which were mistimed and what to change.
Wrestling cheer etiquette
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Cheer between whistles and at scoring moments | Chant during injury time or medical checks |
| Keep cheers short and positive | Taunt or mock opponents |
| Follow the event’s spirit and sportsmanship rules | Use noisemakers where they are banned |
| Stay in your designated area | Stand near the mat edge or officials’ table |
| Respect the referee’s calls | Chant at or about officials |
| Applaud good effort from both wrestlers | Celebrate an opponent’s injury or mistake |
Adding stunts and movements
Wrestling gyms often have limited space and low ceilings, and many venues and state associations restrict where and when stunts can be performed. Simple motions such as claps, clean arm motions, jumps and signs usually work best during matches. Save bigger stunts for pre-meet introductions or breaks, and only where your school, coach and venue rules allow them. Always follow your cheer program’s safety guidelines and have trained spotters for any stunt.
Using signs and crowd involvement
Signs are a good fit for wrestling because they add energy without extra noise. Short signs with words like TAKE DOWN, ESCAPE or PIN can be held up at the right moment and help the crowd join in. Call and response chants, where the squad calls a line and the crowd answers, work well at the start of a dual meet or between weight classes when the gym is ready for noise.
Common wrestling cheer mistakes
- Using the wrong chant for the situation, such as a takedown cheer when your wrestler is riding.
- Cheering so loudly or continuously that wrestlers cannot hear their coaches.
- Running long football style routines during active matches.
- Chanting during injury time or while officials are conferring.
- Ignoring venue rules on stunts, noisemakers or seating.
- Losing energy between weight classes in long dual meets.
Frequently asked questions
When should cheerleaders cheer during a wrestling match?
Between whistles and at key scoring moments such as takedowns, escapes, reversals and pin attempts. Avoid chanting during injuries, stoppages or when coaches need to be heard.
Can cheerleaders do stunts at wrestling meets?
Sometimes, but space and rules are often limited. Keep stunts for introductions or breaks and only where your school, association and venue allow them.
How long should a wrestling cheer be?
Short. Most effective wrestling cheers are one or two lines repeated a few times, so the squad can react instantly as the match changes.
