Wrestling Rules

(To view a printable version click here)

November , 2005

Each bout starts with a handshake and both wrestlers on their feet. A bout starts and stops on the referee's whistle. The duration of the matches is divided into 3 periods of two minutes each with a 30 second rest. At the end of each period a winner is declared. The wrestler first to win two periods is declared the winner of the match. The fall automatically stops the match no matter in which period it takes place. The wrestler who executes two 3-point holds in one period is declared the winner of the period no matter what the score is. The wrestler who has a difference of 6 technical points is also declared the winner of the period.

In case of a tie in one of the periods the winner will be determined by examining successively the following elements.           

  1. The winner shall be the wrestler with the most 3-point actions, then 2-point actions.
  2. The scoring actions are equal; the wrestler who has the fewest cautions will be declared the winner.
  3. Scoring actions are equal and cautions are equal, the wrestler who scored the last point will be declared the winner.

If there are no points scored at the end of a period (score is tied zero- zero) a Leg Clinch will take place

  1. The winner of the toss chooses which leg his/her opponent must present.
  2. The loser of the toss must present that leg, foot flat on the mat in the center circle, body in a fairly upright position (not blocking).
  3. The winner of the toss grasps the leg with a finger-to-finger grip, hands behind the opponent's knee. He/she must be standing.
  4. The loser of the toss may have her/his hands on the back of the opponent, or may not. The hands may not be placed anywhere else on the body of the winner of the toss.
  5. As soon as the winner of the toss has established the correct grip, the referee may blow the whistle to start the bout whether or not the defender (loser of the toss) is prepared.
  6. The winner of the toss then has 30 seconds to score. The grip may be broken without penalty within that 30-second period.
  7. If the winner of the toss does not score within the 30-second limit, that wrestler is penalized with a caution and the opponent receives a point.
  8. If one of the wrestlers enters the protection area within that 30-second period, the other wrestler will be awarded a point. The wrestler entering the protection area may be penalized with a caution for fleeing the mat.
  9. As soon as one wrestler is awarded a point, the round ends, regardless of whether the wrestler scored on is in a danger position (in a pinning position) or not.

Caution Calls
The rules of wrestling are designed to encourage the relentless pursuit of scoring. Attempts to avoid wrestling for the purpose of fleeing a hold is penalized with caution call. Offenders who flee will receive a caution call and the offensive wrestler will be awarded a point. Executing any illegal holds will be penalized with a caution call. With all caution calls 1 or 2 points are awarded.  Three caution calls during the course of the 3 periods will end the match with a disqualification.  Caution calls are based upon the official's judgment. Talking to your opponent during the match will also result in a caution call and a point awarded to the wrestler not talking.

Illegal Holds
Any action with the intention of torturing the opponent with a submission hold or any action that might endanger an opponent's life or cause fracture or dislocation, is considered an illegal hold. It is also illegal to slam, punch, or gouge one's opponent.  Illegal holds include west point ride, full nelsons, 3/4 nelsons, figure 4 leg locks, headlock without an arm, 2 hands on the head, legs locked around the body, reverse standing waist hold and any high amplitude back arching throws such as saltos and suplexs.

Point Scoring System:
One point

  1. Taking the opponent from their feet down to the mat on their stomach or on hands and knees and maintaining control over him.  This is called a takedown.
  2. Turning your opponent for a hand to hand back exposure
  3. Illegal hold not preventing scoring (plus caution)
  4. Fleeing the hold (plus caution)
  5. During par-tarre, the wrestler completely reverses his position from the bottom and comes to the top position in control. This is called a reversal
  6. Exposing the opponents shoulder blades to the mat for 5 seconds (i.e. a pinning position)
  7. Each time a wrestler in the standing position puts his foot on the protection area his opponent will receive one technical point.
  8. All stopping of the match for an injury without bleeding will be penalised by one point to the opponent.

Two points

  1. Exposing your opponent’s shoulders to the mat by breaking 90 degrees. When the opponent breaks 90 degrees and then goes directly back the original position (usually their stomach) this is called a tilt. When the opponent is rolled 360 or 180 degrees in control, this is called a turn. A wrestler can score with the same move consecutively until a 6-point margin is awarded.
  2. A takedown, pause, then immediate exposure (i.e. takedown to a seating position then to exposure)
  3. Illegal hold preventing scoring (plus caution)
  4. Fleeing the mat in a pinning position (plus caution)

Three points

  1. A takedown to immediate back exposure
  2. Throw to immediate back exposure
  3. High amplitude lift to exposure from the ground.

Other important facts:

  1. A missed throw is when a wrestler attempts a throw then slips and lands on his stomach. Wrestling will continue and no points will be awarded
  2. The gut wrench and ankle lace holds can be executed several times consecutively.
  3. Following the end of a match, the wrestler shakes hands with their opponent, the official, and the opposing coach.
  4. Not showing up for a match ready to wrestle when call within a minute and a half results in a forfeit loss.
  5. Shoelaces must be taped.

Out of Bounds:
If the wrestler steps out of bounds, his opponent will be awarded a point.
If the wrestlers go out of bounds without control on their knees or in a par terre position, they will return standing. No point is awarded, unless the officiating team determine that a flee the hold call should be made.
If the wrestler under attack is sprawling (even on their knees) to defend an attack and potential point(s) and goes out of bounds, a point will be awarded to the attacker.
The wrestler may not pick the opponent up and place the other wrestler down out of bounds. This is considered offensive fleeing the mat.



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