What's Going on in a High School Wrestling Match? Individual Match Scoring - Individual points earned during a match TAKEDOWN 2 points - when a wrestler gets behind or on top of his opponent and establishes control from the NEUTRAL position. ESCAPE 1 point - when the bottom wrestler gets out from underneath his opponent to a NEUTRAL (standing) position and then facing him. REVERSAL 2 points - when the bottom wrestler gets out from underneath his opponent and behind or on TOP of his opponent. NEARFALL 2 or 3 points - when the offensive wrestler hold his opponents shoulders to or near the mat (breaking 45 degree angle), but not long enough for a pin. 4 points may be awarded if the referee stops the match due to the bottom wrestler choking or a similar situation. STALLING 1 point to opponent - when the offensive wrestler does not attempt to pin his opponent and/or the defensive wrestler does not attempt to escape or work for a reversal. ILLEGAL HOLDS, ROUGHNESS, TECHNICAL VIOLATION 1 or 2 points or DISQUALIFICATION - awarded to the offended wrestler. During the Match - What's happening? THE FIRST PERIOD always starts off with both wrestlers in the NEUTRAL (standing) position. Both wrestlers come forward from their corners of the mat, get directions and shake hands. Next, the referee blows the whistle and signals "wrestle". Now, each wrestler tries to gain control by setting behind of or on top of the other opponent (the first points that are generally awarded are usually for a TAKEDOWN. When one wrestler gets a TAKEDOWN, the referee signals "two points". The offensive wrestler (usually on top) is trying to apply a hold which will keep his opponent's shoulders on the mat for two seconds for a FALL (PIN) and the defensive wrestler (usually on bottom) tries to ESCAPE or REVERSE positions to gain control. THE SECOND PERIOD the referee will determine which wrestler will gets the choice of deciding how he would like to begin this period. He may choose TOP, BOTTOM, NEUTRAL or he may DEFER the decision to the other wrestler; which makes his opponent chose and gives him the choice in the third period. IN THE THIRD PERIOD the wrestler who did not choose in the second period now has the choice of TOP, BOTTOM, NEUTRAL. OVERTIME occurs when the score at the end of the third period is tie. The wrestlers will start this 1 minute period in the NEUTRAL position and will attempt to score. The first points earned by any of the wrestlers will determine the winner. A TAKEDOWN in overtime usually determines the winner of the match. If the wrestlers go from the NEUTRAL position to a NEARFALL situation , the wrestler on top can attempt to PIN his opponent to end the match from this position. DOUBLE OVERTIME occurs if a winner has not been determined in OVERTIME, the referee will determine which wrestler has the choice of choosing TOP, BOTTOM, or DEFER to start this 30 second period. The BOTTOM wrestler must ESCAPE or REVERSE his position to win the match. The TOP wrestler must maintain control of the BOTTOM wrestler, score back points or pin him to win the match. AT THE END OF THE MATCH the wrestlers will shake hands and the referee will raise the hand of the winner. Team Points - Team points earned for each individual match win in a dual meet DECISION 3 team points - at the conclusion of the match when a wrestler out scores his opponent by 1 to 7 points. MAJOR DECISION 4 team points - at the conclusion of the match , when a wrestler out scores by 8 to 14 points. TECHNICAL FALL 5 team points - when a wrestler out scores his opponent by 15 points; this ends the match unless the wrestlers are in a NEARFALL position at which time the offensive wrestler can attempt to pin his opponent. FALL (PIN) ? 6 team points - when the offensive wrestler holds his opponent's shoulder's to the mat for two seconds; this ends the match. DEFAULT, FORFEIT, DISQUALIFICATION 6 team points - A wrestler is unable to continue wrestling, does not show or penalized. Team Points - Team points earned for each individual match win in a tournament PLACING 14 points - First Place, 10 points - Second Place, 7 points - Third Place, 4 points - Fourth Place DECISION - at the conclusion of the match when a wrestler out scores his opponent by 1 to 7 points. 2 team points in Championship Round matches, excluding 1st Place Bout 1 team point in Consolation Round, excluding 3rd Place Bout Plus the following if they apply: MAJOR DECISION 1 team point - at the conclusion of the match , when a wrestler out scores by 8 to 14 points. TECHNICAL FALL 1.5 team points - when a wrestler out scores his opponent by 15 points; this ends the match unless the wrestlers are in a NEARFALL position at which time the offensive wrestler can attempt to pin his opponent. FALL (PIN), DEFAULT, FORFEIT, DISQUALIFICATION 2 team points Folkstyle/Freestyle Differences Competition Freestyle is similar to the "folkstyle" wrestling popular in American schools and universities, but with different scoring, match procedures, and strategies. Freestyle and Greco-Roman place little emphasis on control, while folkstyle, control is very important. In freestyle, wrestlers are brought to their feet after about 15 seconds of no scoring. Since control isn't important, the bottom wrestler isn't expected to do anything but stall. Only at the college level does folkstyle control time equate to extra points. Another difference related to control is the ability in freestyle to score points without having control of your opponent. Some moves such as tilts, front headlocks from the knees, and crotch lifts while under attack can score continuously without ever gaining control. The pictures show first a common set-up for a front headlock without being in control while the second picture shows a crotch lift being used to counter a leg attack. Slips are another major difference between freestyle and folkstyle. In freestyle, the attacker is not penalized for attempting a move provided he can make it to his knees (belly facing the mat) on the mat after a failed attempt. Also, for this reason, the attacker's move does not end until there is a slip or the referee blows the whistle. The wrestler being attacked must actually take the move away by reversing direction or preventing the attacker from making it back to his belly. Simply stopping a move with the attacker exposed does not constitute an exposure. Current rules allow the wrestling to continue after a slip with no points scored to the person on top. Freestyle and Greco-Roman There are two Olympic styles of wrestling, freestyle and Greco-Roman. With one major exception, the rules of the two styles are almost identical: Tournaments are held under the sanction of various organizations for insurance reasons. The two largest organizations for wrestling are USAW, the national governing body, and the AAU, the oldest athletic organization. There are also various folkstyle organizations holding competitions throughout the US primarily during the winter months. USAW in the National Governing Body for wrestling in the US. Uniforms Wrestlers must wear a one-piece singlet, in the color assigned to them (red or blue). For international events, the wrestling singlet must be of a type approved by the international wrestling federation. Some local events may allow other colored singlets at the discretion of the tournament director. In all cases, the dominant color of the singlet must be either red or blue at major events to be allowed. Wrestlers must wear wrestling shoes providing firm support for the ankles and must carry a handkerchief or paper towel. Referees must wear an all-white shirt or pullover. Their pants and shoes are also white. Wrestlers are one red on the left hand and one blue on the right. Matches Depending on the age group and sanctioning organization, matches c an be from two 1 minute periods with a rest to one five-minute period without rest. For local USAW competitions, below 7th grade kids are normally held in 2 one and 1/2 minute periods with a 30 second break. Schoolboys (7th & 8th grade) are now two 2 minute with a 30 second break as are cadets. Overtime for both age groups is 3 minutes. Juniors and Open are two 3 minute periods with a 30 second break. Masters are 2 two minutes with a 1 minute break. AAU matches follow FILA time limits for age groups with no US kids modifications. At the start of each bout, the referee checks for fingernails, wetness on the skin, skin infections, and for the handkerchief before starting the match. The wrestlers then shake hands with the referee and with each other before the whistle blows. The match starts with the wrestlers standing on their feet. The wrestlers attempt to take their opponent down to the mat to score points. Wrestling also occurs down on the mat, known as "par terre." If no points are scored after about 45 seconds, the less aggressive wrestler will be called for passivity and give up choice of position. No points are awarded. At the end of each bout, the arm of the winning athlete is raised. The wrestlers shake hands with the referee and with their opponent. The main objective in wrestling is to pin your opponent. This is achieved by holding his shoulder blades to the mat for about one-half of a second in juniors and above, slightly longer for cadets and schoolboy, and for at least one second in kids age groups. The pin automatically ends the match. A pin is also known as a fall. Points are awarded for performing techniques or moves within the rules. If a wrestler is not able to pin his/her rival during the match, he/she must score at least three or more technical points total to win the bout in regulation time. If neither wrestler has scored three points at the end of the regulation time, the match will go into an overtime period with length generally 1/2 the regulation time. The first wrestler to reach three points will be the winner. If neither scores 3 points, the winner will be the wrestler ahead in points, or at the decision of the officials if there is a tie. Selection criteria if the bout is tied at the end of overtime can be determined by cautions. The wrestler with more cautions and warnings for passivity will lose. If the marks are equal, the officials select a winner based upon activity. If a wrestler scores 10 points more than his opponent at any time, the bout is stopped and the competitor with the 10 point lead is asked if they want to continue and try for a fall or end the bout with technical superiority, or also known as a technical fall. A bout can also end by an injury default, a forfeit or a disqualification. Disqualification must be the result of a "flagrant" attempt to injure an opponent, or as the result of three cautions. Flagrant must be agreed to by all three officials on the mat. Scoring Terms Takedown - occurs when a man takes his opponent to the mat from a standing position. This is worth one point, but can be worth three if the opponent is brought down onto his back in a position of exposure (danger), and five if a high amplitude throw is involved. Exposure - turning an opponent's shoulders to the mat. Once the line of the back area breaks a 90-degree angle, points are scored. This can occur both from the feet and on the mat. A wrestler who holds his opponent in a danger position for five seconds will receive one extra point. Note that some moves such as a gut wrench and an ankle lace can only be used once before another scoring move must take place. However, a 1 point hold down is considered another scoring move. This happens in the case of move which starts as a gut wrench but stops for a 5 count with the back exposed and and then returns in the same direction. Moves without a body lock, such as the front headlock from the knees, the crotch lift and the "sazuski" can be repeated over and over in succession. Reversal - when the man underneath completely reverses his position and comes to the top position in control, he has scored a reversal, worth one point. Escape - when an athlete works to come out from the bottom position (after being under dominant control) and gets to his feet, facing his rival, he has scored an escape, worth one point. This can only be awarded if there is an active attempt by the top wrestler to hold the bottom wrestler down, and if there is hand attack as the wrestler escapes. Note that this score seldom is given. Passivity - There are no longer disqualifications for passivity in international wrestling. The officiating team can call an unlimited number of passivity calls. Wrestlers will be permitted to place the passive opponent in the down "par terre" position or continue the bout in a standing position after each passivity call. In Greco-Roman, a wrestler may not attack his opponent's legs, nor use his own legs to trip, lift or execute other moves. The wrestler must wrestle from standing without the top of his head against his opponents chest. This is called passivity, and will result in a call of "CONTACT" by the official. The official will say "contact red" or "contact blue" before actually indicating a passivity by holding an open palm hand in the air with the offenders color indicated. There is also a slight relaxation in not requiring a high arch by the attacker when a gut wrench is initiated on the mat, plus some modifications on hand attack when escaping. Note that in either freestyle or Greco-roman, a wrestler who continually avoids contact may be called for fleeing the hold. This results in a caution and 1 point award to the aggressor. In freestyle, both the arms and legs may be used to execute holds or to defend against attack. If legs are used as part of the attack by an aggressor, no points are scored and the wrestlers are returned to standing. Only one official needs to see the leg usage for the move to be nullified. If legs are used to prevent a move, the attacker receives whatever points are gained, a caution point or points, and choice of position. If a throw from standing is blocked, the attacker receives 2 points plus the position choice. If a move on the mat is prevented, the attacker receives 1 point plus choice. In either case, the offender receives a single caution. Why Wrestle? Wrestling conditions the body for a variety of other sports. It helps to develop cordination, speed, accuracy and balance, keeping trim and pliable. Wrestling Improves 1. Agility-- The ability of one to change the position of his body efficiently and easily. 2. Quickness--The ability to make a series of movements in a very short period of time. 3. Balance-- The maintenance of body equilibrium through muscular control. 4. Flexibility--The ability to make a wide range of muscular movements. 5. Coordination--The ability to put together a combination of movements in a flowing rythm. 6. Endurance-- The development of muscular and cardiovascular-respiratory stamina. 7. Muscular Power-- (explosiveness) The ability to use strength and speed simultaneously. 8. Aggressiveness-- The willingness to keep on trying or pushing your adversary at all times. 9. Discipline-- The desire to make the sacrifices necessary to become a better athlete and person. 10.A winning Attitude-- The inner knowledge that you will do your best win or lose. Wrestling is a (an): Individual Sport - Since a wrestler succeeds or fails solely on his own efforts on the mat, the sport is a prime developer of fighting spirit, tenacity in the face of adversity and self-reliance. His mistakes cannot be covered up by teammates and the coach cannot make decisions for him. The individual character of wrestling makes victory, or defeat, a personal responsibility. Team Sport - it takes the whole squad-- every participant working at his utmost potential and each member supporting one another-- to win important dual meets and the big tournaments. Demanding Sport - Wrestling's vigorous demands require top physical conditioning and result in the development of better coordination and greater muscle strength. As a result, wrestling is a great sport for football players and cross-country runners who want to stay in shape during the off-season. Wrestling is a contact sport that tests strength, endurance and decision-making under stress which develops self-reliance, perseverance and mental alertness. Safe Sport - Wrestling is one of the safest sports one can participate in. Over 95% of the injuries are slight muscle pulls. Sport for everyone - It is the only sport where participants of all shapes and sizes compete against other competitors of equal weight. Where else can someone of 100 pounds win a championship in a contact sport on varsity level? High School Weight Classes: 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215, 285 " I would have all of my Offensive Lineman wrestle if I could." -John Madden, Hall of Fame Football Coach