A fall or near fall will not be awarded if the wrestler being pinned has any part of their body:

In wrestling, a fall or near fall is a critical scoring event that occurs when a wrestler is in a position where they are close to being pinned. For a fall to be awarded, the wrestler being pinned must have both shoulder blades flat on the mat. If any part of their body is off the mat, it indicates that they are not in a compromising position that warrants a fall being called.

When a wrestler is off the mat, it suggests that they have escaped the immediate danger of being pinned, as they technically still have a chance to recover and reestablish control. This is why the judges will not award a fall or near fall if the wrestler's body remains off the mat, preventing a clear pinning situation.

In contrast, if part of the wrestler's body is on the mat, this does not guarantee a fall but may contribute toward a near fall if they are in a vulnerable position. Being in a protective position relates more to their ability to defend against being pinned, and being supported by the opponent often considers different criteria concerning control and scoring. Therefore, identifying that the wrestler is off the mat is crucial to understand why a fall or near fall will not be awarded.