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These rules apply to the type of wrestling done in the United States in College, High School, Junior High, Middle School, and most youth wrestling. This type of wrestling is often referred to as “Collegiate” or "Folkstyle" wrestling. The rules for "Freestyle" and "Greco-Roman" wrestling, as is done in the Olympics and internationally, are a little different.

The object of the sport of wrestling is to put your opponent on his back -- to pin your opponent. Wrestlers compete in meets and tournaments; they do not “play” in “games”. A wrestling contest is called a match or bout. Wrestlers have an official weigh-in before each competition (it’s called “making weight”). Onemust weigh his weight class exactly or be lighter. There are fourteen weightclass divisions. They are: 103,112,119,125,130, 135, 140, 145, 152,160, 171, 189, 215, 275.

First Period: Starts with both wrestlers in a neutral or standing position.

Second Period: The wrestler who wins a coin flip may start in the top(offense), bottom(defense), and standing(neutral) or defer the choice to the other wrestler. If he defers the choice to the other wrestler then the deferring wrestler would have the choice third period.

Third Period: The wrestler who did not have his choice or deferred his choice in the second period will now have a choice and assume either a(an) top(offense), bottom(defense), and standing(neutral) position.

Overtime Criteria: If the normal time period of the match ends in a tie score, then they will wrestle an overtime period which will be one minute in length with no rest between the regular match and the overtime. The overtime period will begin with both wrestlers in the neutral position. The wrestler who scores the first point(s) will be declared the winner. If no winner is determined by the end of the one minute overtime period, two 30-second periods will be wrestled in the referee's position. The wrestler who scored the first points in the match will have the choice of top or bottom positions, or he may elect to defer the choice to his opponent for the first of these two periods. The other wrestler has choice in the second of these two periods. Points are scored as a normal time period for both these periods. A winner will be declared to the wrestler with the most points. If they are still tied the wrestler who scored first points again has choice. This is a 30 second sudden death period. The wrestler who scores the first point(s) in this 30-second tie-breaker will be declared the winner. If no points are scored then the wrestler who is in the top position is declared the winner.

1) Takedown - (2 points) You score two points for taking your opponent down to the mat and controlling him/her.

2) Escape - (1 point) You score one point for getting away or getting to a neutral position when your opponent has you down on the mat.

3) Reversal - (2 points) You score two points when your opponent has you down on the mat and you come from underneath and gain control of your opponent.

4) Near Fall (Back Points) - (2 or 3 points) You get near fall points when you almost but not quite get your opponent pinned. A near fall (near pin) is when... both shoulders are held for two seconds within four inches of the mat, or...one shoulder touches the mat and the other shoulder is at a 45 degree angle coming down to the mat, or...the wrestler is held in a high bridge or back on both elbows. If a near fall lasts for two seconds, you get 2 points. If a near fall lastsfor 5 seconds, you get 3 points.

5) Penalty Points - (1 or 2 points) Your opponent is awarded points if you commit the following infractions.

· Illegal Holds - There are several holds that the referee will penalize you for without warning. (There are other holds call "potentially dangerous holds" which the referee might make you let go of but will not penalize you for).

· Technical Violations - Going off the mat to avoid wrestling ("fleeing the mat.")

Grabbing clothing, the mat, or the headgear

Incorrect starting position or false start (You get two cautions before points are awarded).

Locked or overlapped hands: If you are down on the mat in control of your opponent, you cannot lock or overlap your hands, fingers or arms around your opponent's body or both legs unless you have your opponent in a near pin, or your opponent stands up and has all his/her weight on two feet.

Leaving the mat during the match without the referee's permission

Figure 4 head scissors from the neutral position.

· Unnecessary roughness

· Unsportsmanlike conduct

· Flagrant Misconduct (ejection, the match is over)

· Stalling (you get one warning before you are penalized and points are awarded).

The first and second time you are penalized, your opponent is awarded one point. The third time you are penalized, your opponent is awarded two points. The fourth time you are penalized, you are disqualified. (Except for illegal starting position or false start - you are cautioned twice, then one point awarded for each infraction, but you will not be disqualified).

Fall - When any part of either shoulders or both scapulae of either wrestler are in contact with the mat for at least 2 seconds. Also known as a pin. Individual points are not awarded for a pin, but of course, you win the match regardless of point totals earned prior to the fall.

Default - Awarded when one competitor cannot complete the match.

Disqualification - When a competitor is removed from participation in accordance with penalty chart.

Forfeit - When you fail to appear for your match and your opponent is dressed and on the mat, ready to go.

- 6 team points

Technical Fall: Winner's score exceeds loser's score by at least 15 points it then ends the match.

- 5 team points

Major Decision: Winner's score exceeds loser's score by 8-14 points.

- 4 team points

Decision: Winner's score exceeds loser's score by 1-7 points.

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