Wrestling Mats: A Ground For Wrestling
Rules, referees, equipment, categories and so on. Wow, wrestling really is a professional sport. Like many of its contemporary counterparts like Judo and the like, wrestling too has evolved from just fighting on the ground to more advanced options like the ring or a simple wrestling mat. Wrestling mats are now integral elements of the sport itself. We shall see why.
Some reasons are obvious. Wrestling is a sport that comprises many moves that culminate in slamming one's opponent on the ground. The technique for carrying this out may be different for each wrestler, but ultimately throwing moves are one of the effective tools for dispatching one's enemies. Being on the receiving end of such moves is a painful experience indeed. This is where wrestling mats come into play. When such moves are performed on grounds that we see around us (like concrete, irregular ground etc) it is pretty obvious that it can be fatal. To prevent this, wrestling bodies worldwide decided to introduce wrestling mats that would render such moves non-fatal.
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Apart from the aforementioned reasons, wrestling mats have become an essential element because of the integral role they play in the sport itself. Most wrestling bodies have a 10 second (approximate) rule which governs the duration for which players can stay outside the wrestling mat. This means that any player who stays outside the wrestling mats during a game for more than 10 seconds automatically forfeits the match. Some variations in the game have also allowed the wrestling mat's role to become more crucial. The advent of the 'Royal Rumble' has intensified the wrestling mat's role as players who are thrown out of the mat (or ring, to be technically correct) lose their chance at a title belt.
Now that we have covered the importance of wrestling mats, let us come to their characteristics and possible specifications. First and foremost, wrestling mats have to be shock absorbent. This implies that they should be able to take the full effect of a throwing move, must reduce pain for the recipient and must not get damaged in the process. That's quite an ask and it is for these exact reasons that not every mat is a wrestling mat. Most wrestling mats of today are designed using PVC rubber nitrile foam and even more recently, technological advances have designed new mats made of polythene foam with a covering of vinyl and reinforced with non-woven polyester. All these materials give wrestling mats the much coveted tear resistance and compression qualities.
Wrestling mats are not cheap and might cost a lot. They cost around $3.50 to $4.50 per square foot. But it is a very worthy investment for any body that promotes or practices the sport. The sizes of a wrestling mat can be classified as follows: · 10' x 10' (small home)
· 12' x 12' (average home)
· 20' x 20' (small school)
· 30' x 30' (small school)
· 32' x 32' (regular school)
· 38' x 38' (regular school)
· 40' x 40' (regular school)
· 42' x 42' (large school) Other important factors to consider when buying wrestling mats are the application, the place of usage, the type and the portability factor.
A good wrestling mat promotes safe and healthy spread of the sport.
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