I know some techniques that are throws and some that are takedowns and i really cant see a defining characteristic that makes one a throw and the other a takedown lol. If any one could enlighten me I'd greatly appreciate it, lol. thanks in advance!!
You could classify any technique which results in your opponent landing on the ground as a "take-down" - so even a "throw" could be viewed as a form of a "take-down." Each person might define these actions in their own terms, but if you want a defining characteristic between throws and take-downs, here is my perspective.
A Take-down brings the opponent to the ground without their body going completely airborne. If one or both of your opponent's feet remains on ground during the fall, then it could be classified as a "Take-down." On the other hand, if you completely lift your opponent off the ground, but their return to the mat is by means of their weight being supported by your body, then gradually "dumped" to the floor, this would also be a "Take-down" (for example: the wrestling type of double-leg take-down, or "fireman's carry" take-down).
Conversely, if the opponent is uprooted, and goes completely airborne, even for the slightest moment, then it becomes a throw. Your opponent could be "swept" off their feet, have their legs "reaped" out from under them, or be lofted simply by off balancing enough to cause a fall (IE: a "floating drop" thow) Also, if the weight of your opponent is "boosted" through the use of a fulcrum, then freely dropped or slammed to the ground, then it becomes a "throw." The "fireman's carry take-down" becomes a "shoulder wheel throw" when the opponent is tossed freely, rather than "dumped" while maintaining body control.
When I was in High School wrestling, "throws" were not permitted because of the inherent danger from the impact of the fall. If a wrestler picks their opponent up, they are responsible for their "safe" return to the mat. Thus, a wrestling take-down is designed to simple bring your opponent from a standing posture, to a lying posture to engage in grappling. A throw, on the other hand, is primarily designed to cause injury from the impact of the fall.
This is just my interpretation, and might not fit everyone's definition.
CM D.J. Eisenhart