A Beginner’s Guide to Wrestling

What Happens in a Wrestling Match? There’s no let-up. It’s the fastest 3-6 minutes in sports. Each wrestling match is divided
into three periods. Yet, from the first seconds, the “Sudden Death” rule applies. Each opponent is going for a “pin.”
If one succeeds, at any time, the match is over. The match can also be ended if one wrestler develops a lead of 15 points or more.
Tournaments are usually double-elimination, although they may also be “round robin” style.

1st Period: A match begins with contestants facing each other on their feet. The referee signals the timekeeper, blows the whistle and commands, “Wrestle.” Each wrestler moves, attempting to take his opponent to the mat and gain control. This is called a “take-down” for which the referee awards points. A “take-down” is completed when offensive wrestler has taken his opponent to the mat and has moved behind and on top of him, or in some other manner has demonstrated his control. After securing advantage, top wrestler tries to retain
it by keeping the underneath wrestler in his control. He may use his hands, arms, legs, or a combination to maintain control.
The underneath wrestler must at all times try to escape and gain control, or get the top position for himself.

2nd Period: The second period starts with the toss of a coin or colored disk and the winner of the toss has the choice to select neutral, top or bottom position, or to “defer” and choose his position in the third period. A wrestler choosing top position attempts to pin his opponent or retain control, while the underneath wrestler tries to reverse his position. When a wrestler on top is trying to pin his opponent and fails to hold both shoulders down for the necessary two seconds, he may still be given credit and points for a partially successful attempt.

3rd Period: The wrestler who did not choose position during second period now has choice.
This gives each wrestler an opportunity to show his skill from his best position during the course for the match.

Overtime: A one-minute overtime period will follow a match tied after regulation, with no rest between the regular match and overtime.
The overtime period will begin with both wrestlers in the neutral position and the wrestler who scores the first points shall be
declared the winner of the bout. If no winner is determined in the one minute overtime, a 30-second tiebreaker will follow.
The choice for position in the tiebreaker period will be granted to the wrestler who scores the first point(s) in the regulation match.
If no points were scored in the regulation match, the choice will be granted to the winner of a toss of a colored disk. The wrestler winning the toss may select the top or bottom position, or he/she may elect to defer his choice. The wrestler who scores the first point(s) will be declared the winner. If no scoring occurs in the 30-seconds, the offensive wrestler will be awarded one point and declared the
winner of the bout. Note: If both wrestlers are called for stalling and awarded 1 point during the first overtime period;
the first overtime period will be ended and the 30 second tiebreaker will be wrestled.

Terminology and Points System

Scoring Situation Points Explanation:

Takedown, 2: One wrestler gains control of the other on the mat

Reversal, 2: The control between wrestlers on the mat switches

Escape, 1: Bottom wrestler escapes from top wrestler’s control

Locked Hands, 1 / 1 / 2 / Disqualified: Top wrestler cannot lock hands unless in a pinning combination or stand-up;
after the 4th locked hands in a match, the wrestler is disqualified

Near Fall (2 seconds), 2: Top wrestler exposing the bottom wrestler’s back for at least 2 seconds

Near Fall (5 seconds), 3: Top wrestler exposing the bottom wrestler’s back for at least 5 seconds

Technical Fall, match ends: One wrestler scores at least 15 points more than his opponent,
the match is over, even if time remains on the clock

Wrestling Terms:

Fall (pin): Wrestler in control holds the other wrestler’s shoulders on the mat for 2 seconds; match ends

Neutral: Both wrestlers standing with neither in an advantageous position

Referees Position: One wrestler on top, other wrestler on bottom

Stalemate: Neither wrestler can gain an advantage

Stalling: Not initiating action

Technical Violation: Illegal move / action / hold; examples of technical violations include:

o Pulling opponent’s singlet

o Pulling opponent’s hair

o Locking hands

o Biting

o Cursing

o Poor Sportsmanship