THE SPORT OF WRESTLING

• Matches are conducted on a mat with wrestling shoes and headgear.
• Wrestling is physically and mentally demanding.
• Wrestling utilizes skills, strength, self-discipline and endurance which develop over a long period of practice and hard work.

 

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective in folk style wrestling is to gain control and to either pin your opponent by holding your opponent with their back on the mat or by scoring the most points before the match ends.

 

MATCH BASICS

• Wrestling matches consist of three periods which vary in length from 1 minute for Elementary wrestlers, 1 /12 minutes for Middle School wrestlers, and 2 minutes for High School wrestlers.
• There are only two positions from which referees start or continue a match. The first is neutral position where both wrestlers stand facing each other. The second is referee’s position where one wrestler starts with his hands and knees down on the mat and the other starts on top.
• The first period always begins in the neutral position. Each wrestler has their choice in one of the remaining periods to choose to start from top or bottom referee’s position or in the neutral position.
• Either wrestler can win the match at any time if they are able to pin their opponent or develop a lead of more than 15 points.

 

POINTS AND TERMINOLOGY

Takedown: (2 points)  When a wrestler takes his opponent to the mat from a neutral position.

Reversal: (2 points)  When the wrestler underneath completely reverses his/her position and comes to the top position in control.

Escape: (1 point)  When the wrestler works to come out from the bottom position and the opponent loses control.

Near Fall: (2 points)  When the wrestler in control has the opponent in a near-pin position for 3 seconds.

Near Fall: (3 points)  When the wrestler in control has the opponent in a near-pin position for 5 or more seconds.

Stalling: (1 point) After one stalling warning, 1 point is awarded to the opponent of the wrestler who is stalling. Stalling is inactivity or avoidance of opponent during the match.

Illegal holds:  (1 point)  When an illegal hold is used the opponent receives a point. In youth wrestling there is usually a warning given first.

 

WAYS TO WIN

Fall (Pin):  When the wrestler in control has the opponent’s upper back touching the mat for 1 second.

Tech Fall:   When a wrestler is ahead by at least 15 points

Major Decision:  When a wrestler wins by between 8 and 15 points.

Decision:   When a wrestler wins by 1 to 7 points.

Default:  When a match is ended because one of the wrestlers are unable to finish.