"Once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easy."

                                                                                                                                - Dan Gable

First Both wrestlers come forward from the corners of the mat, receive the
        instructions and shake hands.

Next The referee blows his whistle and signals, "Wrestle."

Next Each wrestler tries to take control of the opponent by getting behind or on top
         of him _ a "takedown."

Point The first points are likely to be given for a takedown. When one wrestler gets a
        takedown, the referee signals 2 points.

Then The DEFENSIVE (or "down") wrestler tries to escape or reverse his position to  
        get on top or behind. The OFFENSIVE (or "top") wrestler tries to stay on top and
        get a hold with which he can keep his opponents shoulders on the mat for 2
        seconds _ a fall or pin.

Every match has three periods. Each period is 2 minutes long.

FIRST PERIOD – Starts from standing or neutral position.

SECOND PERIOD – Odd and even matches are chosen prior to the match, and every other team wrestler
       has first choice on positioning. The wrestler may choose either up, down, neutral, or defer choice to
       3rd period.

THIRD PERIOD – Contestant with choice may choose up, down, or neutral.

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.

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

Fall (Pin): A fall (pin) is awarded when a wrestler holds any part of both his opponent’s

       shoulders (or scapulas) to the mat for two consecutive seconds.

 

Technical Fall: A technical fall is awarded when a wrestler has a 15 point advantage over his

       opponent.

 

Time Expired: 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 there is no winner at the end of the three regulation periods, an overtime period is added. The 1-minute overtime period begins immediately after the regulation match, with the wrestlers starting in the neutral position. The wrestler who scores first is declared the winner. If no winner is declared by the end of the 1-minute overtime, there is a 30-second tiebreaker.

The match can also end with flagrant misconduct, biting or fighting. the wrestler who does this will be disqualified immediately.

The referee has full control of the match, and decisions are final. Decisions are based on the National Federation High School Wrestling Rules Book. While the referee oversees all aspects of the match, his primary concern is the health and safety of the wrestlers.

During the match, the referee indicates 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 holds up fingers to indicate how many points the wrestler is to be awarded. (see poster below)

You can tell which wrestler the referee is referring to by the color of the wrist and ankle band. Each wrestler has a red or green ankle band, and when signaling, the referee holds up the hand with the corresponding color band.  Points are recorded by the official scorer seated at the scorer’s table.

Scoring...The Point System..."Mat" Points

TAKEDOWN (2 points) When a wrestler takes control and is on top of his opponent from the neutral or
                    standing position.

ESCAPE (1 point) Getting out from underneath to a standing position or neutral position facing opponent.

REVERSAL (2 points) Getting out from under an opponent and behind or on top of him by one maneuver.

NEAR FALL (3 points) Holding an opponent's shoulders at a 45 degree angle, and within about 4 inches of
                   the mat or less for 5 seconds.

NEAR FALL (2 points) Holding an opponent's shoulders at a 45 degree angle, and within about 4 inches of
                   the mat or less for 2-4 seconds.

STALLING  (1 point) To opponent having a position of advantage and failing to make an honest attempt to
                   secure a fall.

ILLEGAL HOLD Roughness, technical foul - awarded to the offensive wrestler.s

Wrestling Positions

Wrestlers begin each period in the top, bottom, or neutral position. The first period begins with both wrestlers in the neutral position. To begin the second period, a coin toss determines which wrestlers gets his choice of starting position. If the home wrestler gets to choose his starting position second period, the visiting wrestler gets his choice of starting positions in the third period. (The wrestler who wins the second period coin toss has the option of deferring his choice until third period.)

Neutral - The neutral position is one in which neither wrestler has control. In the neutral position, both wrestlers are on their feet, facing each others. The home wrestler has one foot on the red starting line. From the neutral position, wrestlers change levels in order to create openings in their opponent’s defenses. Wrestlers in this position also try to initiate attacks and score takedowns 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 is in the defensive position (also known as the position of disadvantage). When a wrestler is in the defensive position, he is on his hands and knees in the center of the circle. It is important for a defensive wrestler to control his opponent’s hands, and to go fo an escape or a reversal as quickly as possible.

Offense (top wrestler) - If the wrestler is up, he is the top wrestler, and he is in the offensive position (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 chin is on or above the spinal column of his opponent’s back, and his arm is placed loosely around his opponent’s body. The offensive wrestler can also position himself on either side or to the rear of his opponent; there he can support all of his weight on both feet, one knee, or both knees. In this optional offensive position, the wrestler places his hands on his opponent’s back between the neck and waist.

Matches, Tournaments, and Duals

A match is competition between two teams. There are 14 weight classes, with one wrestler at each weight class. As each wrestler competes, the teams are awarded points. The team with the most points wins the match.

Duals (such as the Tuscaloosa Co. Duals in December) are great for a team because the individual wrestlers get more "mat time" (chances to wrestle). For example, there may be 10 teams participating. That means, that the PHS wrestlers will go against 8 or 9 different teams over the period of 1-2 days. For each of those 8-9 matches, all 14 wrestlers will compete. During duals, Coach may swap up wrestlers for the matches. If we only have one wrestler at 112 lbs, then that boy will wrestle all 8-9 matches. However, if we have 3 wrestlers at 135 lbs, then each wrestler may get 2-3 matches. Team points are awarded after each match, and at the end, the team with the most points wins.

A Tournament means that the individual wrestlers are competing, as well as the team. Wrestlers are placed in brackets which shows who they wrestle. As long as a wrestler is winning, he continues on in the tournament. However, if a wrestler loses 2 matches, he is out of the tournament. A pigtail occurs when there are an odd number of wrestlers in the tournament bracket for a specific weight class. If a wrestler is placed in the "pigtail position" on the bracket, and he loses that match, he is out of the tournament.

Team Points Once the match is over, the wrestlers return to the 10-foot circle, and the referee declares the winner by raising his hand. The winning wrestler’s team is awarded the following points:

Decision (wrestler wins by fewer than 8 points) - 3 points

Major Decision (wrestlers wins by 8-14 points) - 4 points

Technical Fall - 5 points

Fall (pin) - 6 points

Decision - 2 points (advancement points)

Major Decision - 3 points (2 advancement points and 1 bonus point)

Technical Fall (3 ½ points (2 advancement points and 1 ½ bonus points)

Fall (pin) - 4 points (2 advancement points and 2 bonus points)

Other points: Teams also receive points when the opposing team has forfeited, defaulted, or been disqualified. In a dual meet, 6 points are awarded for a forfeit, default, or disqualification, In a tournament, 2 points are awarded for each, and the wrestler advances to the next round.

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

In a tournament, additional points are added for placement (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, etc.).