Fleeing a hold occurs when the defending wrestler openly refuses contact in order to prevent his opponent from executing or initiating a hold. These situations arise in both the standing and "parterre" positions. They may occur in the central wrestling area or from the central wrestling area to the orange zone. Fleeing a hold shall be penalised in the same way as fleeing the mat, that is:

Fleeing the hold in "parterre" wrestling:
- 1 caution against the wrestler at fault (0)
- 1 point in FS and 2 points in GR to the opponent
- Restart in "par terre" position

Fleeing the hold in standing wrestling:
- 1 caution against the wrestler at fault (0)
- 1 point in FS and 2 points in GR to the opponent
- Restart in standing position

Fleeing a hold in ground position in Greco-Roman

When a wrestler is on the ground following an action by his opponent and he then jumps forward to prevent his being caught for a hold, he puts his opponent in the position of committing an illegal hold - holding the thighs of the "escaping" wrestler, will be considered as a fleeing of a hold. The referee must not allow this situation which is a fleeing the hold offence by the fleeing wrestler. He must therefore be very clear and precise in the manner in which he deals with this offence. He must also place himself in front of the wrestlers in a way to prevent the flee from taking place.
- The first time that the wrestler on the ground jumps forward to avoid being caught by his opponent, the referee must warn aloud "attention, no jump".
- The second time, the referee must request a caution and 2 points for fleeing the hold, stop the match following agreement by the judge and the match chairman, make the wrestlers stand up, signal the offence and restart the match in "parterre" position.

This method is valid for penalising fleeing the hold when the wrestler jumps forward. However, the defence of moving laterally to avoid a hold is authorised and should not be sanctioned.

The wrestler who is dominated on the ground in Greco-Roman does not have the right to bend or raise either or both of his legs to prevent a hold being executed.

If a dominated wrestler on the ground uses his legs as a defence, he will receive a caution and his opponent 2 points.