The Match

The Wrestler's Uniform & Grooming

Wrestlers must wear a close fitting one-piece uniform known as a singlet (with or without tights) and light, heelless shoes that are laced above the ankles. They must also wear protective headgear. All wrestlers must be clean-shaven, although a neatly trimmed mustache is permitted. Sideburns cannot be lower than the earlobe, and hair must be above the top of an ordinary shirt collar in the back, and above the bottom of the earlobe. No jewelry is allowed.

Equipment

The wrestling mat has between 1 and 4 inches of padding. The circular wrestling area has a diameter of 28 feet with a 10-foot center circle.

The Referee

The referee has full control of the match. His decisions, which are based upon The National Federation of High School Wrestling Rules Book,are final. The referee supervises weigh-ins, starts and ends each period, awards points, issues warnings, and at the end of each match, he declares the winner. While the referee oversees all aspects of the match, his primary concern is for the health and safety of the wrestlers.

During the match, the referee will indicate which wrestler has the position of advantage (which wrestler is in control) by pointing to him. When a wrestler makes a move for which he is to receive points, the referee will hold up fingers to indicate how many points that wrestler is to be awarded. (If that wrestler is representing the home team, he holds up the hand with the green band on his wrist; if the wrestler is representing the visiting team, he holds up the hand with the red band.)

During the match, the referee must make sure that the wrestlers stay in-bounds (in the circle). When a supporting part of both wrestlers is out-of-bounds, the referee stops the wrestling and the wrestlers return to the center of the mat. There they start in the same positions they were in when they went out-of-bounds.

The official scorer is seated at the scorer's table. He records points as indicated by the referee.

The Length of the Match

High school wrestling matches consist of three two-minute periods; there is no time between periods. (In tournament consolation matches the first period may be one minute in length). Overtime periods in dual meets and tournaments consist of one 1-minute period followed by a 30-second tiebreaker if necessary.

The official timekeeper keeps the overall time of the match and records the accumulated injury time-outs.

Starting the Match

Wrestlers begin each match on their feet, facing each other (the neutral position). Usually the home wrestler wears a green band around his ankle; the visiting wrestler wears a red band. The wrestlers shake hands, and when the referee blows his whistle, they begin wrestling.

Wrestling Positions

While the first period begins with the wrestlers in the neutral position, a coin toss determines which wrestler gets his choice of starting positions for the second and third periods. If the home wrestler gets to choose his starting position second period (top, bottom, or neutral), the visiting wrestler gets to choose third period. (The wrestler who chooses second period has the option of deferring his choice until third period.)

Neutral - The neutral position is one in which neither wrestler has control; the wrestlers are both on their feet, opposite each other. The home wrestler has one foot on the green starting line and the visiting wrestler has one foot on the red starting line.

From the neutral position, wrestlers will change levels to create an opening in their opponent's defenses, and they will try to initiate an attack and score a takedown by using setups like the collar tie, wrist tie, and arm drag.

Defense (bottom wrestler) - If the wrestler is down, he is the bottom wrestler, and he begins in the defensive position, also known as the position of disadvantage. In the defensive wrestling position, the wrestler is at the center of the circle, on his hands and knees. It is important for the defensive wrestler to control his opponent's hands, to be very aggressive, and to go for an escape or a reversal as quickly as possible.

Offense (top wrestler) - If the wrestler is up, he is the top wrestler, and he begins in the offensive position. This is also known as the position of advantage. In the offensive wrestling position, the wrestler is at the right or left side of his opponent with at least one knee on the mat. The offensive wrestler's head is on or above the spinal column of his opponent's back and his arm is placed loosely around the defensive wrestler's body.

The offensive wrestler can also position himself on either side or to the rear of his opponent, supporting all of his weight on both feet, one knee, or both knees. In this optional offensive position, he places his hands on his opponent's back between the neck and waist.

 Scoring Points

Throughout the match, wrestlers are awarded points for the following moves: takedown, escape, reversal, and near fall. The referee can also award points to a wrestler when an illegal hold has been used by his opponent or when his opponent is stalling.

Takedown (2 points): A takedown occurs when either wrestler, starting from the neutral position, gains control of his opponent on the mat. Takedowns can be accomplished by attacking an opponent's legs (e.g., double leg attack, low single leg attack, high crotch attack, high single attack) or by attacking the opponent's upper body (e.g., the headlock, the hiplock). The fireman's carry is an example of a takedown that combines a leg attack and an upper body attack.

Escape (1 point): The defensive wrestler is awarded one point for an escape when he moves to a neutral position. The standup is the most commonly used escape. Other escapes include the sitout and the inside shoulder roll.

Reversal (2 points): The defensive wrestler is awarded 2 points for a reversal when he gains control of his opponent. This may take place while the defensive wrestler is either on his feet or on the mat. The switch is a common reversal; the Granby roll and the Peterson roll are escapes that often turn into reversals.

Near Fall (2 or 3 points): Points for a near fall are awarded when the offensive wrestler has control of his opponent in a near pinning position. This occurs when the defensive wrestler's shoulders are restrained four or fewer inches from the mat, one shoulder is touching the mat and the other is held at a forty-five degree angle to the mat, or when thc wrestler is in a high bridge or supported on both elbows. If the near fall criteria is met for a period of two consecutive seconds, a two-point near fall is earned; if the near fall criteria is met for five continuous seconds, a three-point near fall is earned.

 End of the Match

A match ends when one of the following occurs: a pin (fall), a technical fall, or time expires (decision).

              Pin (Fall): A pin (fall) is awarded when a wrestler holds any part of both of his opponent's shoulders (or scapulae) flat
                    on the mat for two continuous seconds.

                    Common pinning combinations are as follows:

    1) far side cradle - the opponent's head and far knee are clamped together

    2) near side cradle - the opponent's head and near knee are clamped together

    3) half-nelson - a wrestler gets his arm under his opponent's arm and up over his neck or head in order to get
        his opponent turned.

               Technical Fall: When a wrestler has earned a 15 point advantage over his opponent, the referee will end the match.

              Time Expires: If there has not been a fall or a technical fall by the end of the third period, the winner of the match
                   is determined by the number of individual points scored. The wrestler with the most points wins the match by decision.
                   If the score is tied at the end of the three regulation periods, an additional, overtime period is added.

              Overtime: If the contestants are tied at the end of the three regular periods, they will wrestle an overtime period
                    which will be a maximum of one minute in length.  The overtime period begins with both wrestlers in the neutral
                    position.  The wrestler to score the first point(s) will be declared the winner.
                    If there is no winner at the end of the one minute overtime period, a 30-second tie-breaker will be wrestled.  The
                    wrestler who scored the first point(s) in regulation has choice (top or bottom position) for this round. The wrestler
                    who scores the first point(s) during this sudden death period will be declared the winner.  If no points have been scored
                    at the end of this period, the offensive (top) wrestler will be declared the winner.

Team Points

Once the match is over, the wrestlers return to the center circle, and the referee declares the winner by raising his hand. The winning wrestler's team is awarded the following points:

           Dual Meet
                    - Decision (wrestler wins by fewer than 8 points) - 3 point
                    - Major Decision (wrestler wins by 8-14 points) - 4 points
                    - Technical Fall - 5 points
                    - Fall (pin) - 6 points

              Tournament (1st round)
                    - Decision (wrestler wins by 8 or fewer points) - 1/2 point
                    - Major Decision (wrestler wins by 8-14 points) - 1 point
                    - Technical Fall (wrestler wins by 15 points) - 1-1/2 points
                    - Fall (pin) - 2 points
 

Teams also receive points when the opposing team has forfeited, defaulted, or been disqualified.

Default: a wrestler is unable to continue wrestling for any reason.

Disqualification: a wrestler is removed from participation for flagrant misconduct, unsportsmanlike conduct, or for an accumulation of penalties.

Forfeit: the wrestler fails to appear on the mat ready to compete or he fails to make weight.

In a dual meet, 6 points are awarded for a forfeit, default, or disqualification; in a tournament, 2 points are awarded for each.
In a tournament, additional points are added for placement (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.), depending on how many places are receiving awards.
 

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Page last updated: JANAURY 15, 2004
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