If one of the wrestlers brings his opponent to the ground during the match, wrestling continues in the "parterre" position and the wrestler underneath may counter his opponent's efforts, stand up or carry out counter-attacks of his choice. If a wrestler brings his opponent to the ground and owing to good defensive action by the attacked wrestler is unable to initiate an action, the referee stops the bout after a reasonable period of time and has the wrestlers resume the bout in a standing position.

The attacking wrestler is forbidden to resume the bout by jumping on his opponent. If he does so, the referee must warn him first; in case of repeated offence, the referee gives him a caution and 1 point to his opponent in Freestyle and a caution and 2 points in Greco-Roman Wrestling, and the bout restarts in standing position.

The wrestler on top has no right to interrupt the bout nor to request that wrestling resume in a standing position.