Wrestling Information for Parents

WRESTLING BASICS FOR PARENTS/FANS

General Wrestling Scoring Procedures

Takedowns are scored when one wrestler brings his opponent down to the mat from a standing position and is considered having "control". Additional points are awarded when a wrestler takes his opponent directly to his back. Common takedowns include single legs, double legs, high crotches, headlocks, shrugs, fireman's carries, and many more.

Reversals are scored when a wrestler, controlled by his opponent on the mat, executes a move that allows him to assume a controlling position on top of the opponent, thus reversing the situation. Common reversals include switches and Peterson rolls.

Exposing an opponent's back to the mat is a scoring technique in all styles of wrestling. A wrestler must not only tilt the rival's back toward the mat, breaking a 90° angle, but also hold the back in this position to score points. Common "pinning combinations" include the half-nelson, arm bar, and cradle.

Escapes are scored when a wrestler, controlled by his opponent on the mat, frees himself and moves to a standing position, facing the opponent. Common escapes include the standup and the sit-out.

The 3 Periods of a Match

Generally all matches are 3 periods in length. A match will end when one wrestler scores a pin fall over another or time expires after the third period. Most of the tournaments that the Jr Jags participate in will have three 1-minute periods. In some instances, they will be 1, 1-1/2 & 1-1/2, for a total match time of 4 minutes.

Sample Match

At the start of a tournament match wrestlers will usually be given colored anklets. Generally, one wrestler will wear a green anklet while the other wrestler will wear red. The significance of the colors is that they correspond to the colors worn by the referee. The referee will have a green band on one wrist and a red on the other. As the match proceeds, the referee will signal the award of points to a wrestler by holding up that wrestler's color.

As you look at the wrestling mat you will notice a large circle going around the perimeter of the mat, this is the out-of-bounds indicator. Each wrestler must stay within the circumference of this larger circle to score points. In most cases you will also notice a smaller circle within the larger one, this is referred to as the center of the mat. Contained within the center of the mat are 2 parallel lines or a box, this is the starting point for each period.

Period 1

After the wrestler has his/her anklet on and proceeds to the center of the mat the referee will ask the timer, score keeper, and the wrestlers if they are ready. If everyone is ready to begin the referee will ask each of the wrestlers to shake hands and get ready to start. To start a match each wrestler will be in the "Neutral" position. The neutral position is where both wrestlers face each other in a standing position. Each wrestler is required to have at least one foot on the neutral line before the match is allowed to proceed. Once the wrestlers are in the starting neutral position, the referee will blow his whistle to start the match.

From the neutral position, each wrestler is attempting to score points on his/her opponent by taking that opponent down. If a wrestler is successful in taking down the opponent and is in control of the opponent the referee will award that wrestler 2 points for a "takedown". To indicate the points, the referee will hold up the hand with that wrestlers corresponding color and flash 2 fingers up and then down towards the mat. It should be noted that a wrestler must be in control of the other wrestler to score the takedown points. Generally this means that the scoring wrestler is on top, behind, or in some way free of his/her opponents advantage.

Once a wrestler has taken down his/her opponent they must now try to turn that opponent to their back. A wrestler who has successfully taken down his/her opponent must continue to wrestle or be warned for "stalling". The same applies to the wrestler who was taken down, they must try to escape the control of the top wrestler. If a wrestler receives 2 warnings for stalling his/her opponent will receive 1 point on the next stalling warning. Stalling warnings carry over from one period to the other and are accumulated during that entire match. If a wrestler receives too many stalling deductions they automatically lose the match.

As the top wrestler (the one who took down his/her opponent) continues to wrestle they will use various holds to turn over their opponent, one such hold is the half nelson. This is when the top wrestler threads his/her arm under the arm and over the head of their opponent. By doing so a wrestler can "expose" (turn their opponents back past a 90 degree angle with the mat) their opponent and score points. If the top wrestler successfully exposes his/her opponent for more then 2 seconds without the continuation of a move he/she will score 2 "Near Fall" points. However, if the top wrestler can expose his/her opponent for more then 5 continuous seconds they will receive 3 near fall or "back points". The referee will award the amount of back points/near fall points a wrestler receives by holding up the corresponding colored arm and indicated with his/her hand the points and tapping their back.

Period 2

If the first period expires with no pin/fall, the referee will stop the wrestlers and bring them back to the center of the mat. At this point the referee will flip a coin or colored disk and ask a wrestler to "call-it". If the wrestler wins the coin toss it is "their choice" as to how they would like to start the second period. A wrestler could choose to defer his/her choice until the third period and allow his/her opponent to choose how they will start the period. The choices a wrestler could make are top, bottom, or neutral. If the wrestler chooses the neutral position each wrestler will be starting as they did in the first period. Each wrestler is facing each other as they start. However, if the wrestler so chooses they could start in the bottom position. The objective of the bottom wrestler is to either reverse their position with the top wrestler or escape from the top wrestler. The bottom wrestler may execute some common moves such as a sit-out, switch, or a stand-up. If a wrestler successfully executes a switch for example they will end up on top of the other wrestler and receive 2 points for the executed move. If the bottom wrestler executes a stand-up and can break free from the control of the top wrestler they will receive 1 point for an escape. The referee will generally signal that the bottom wrestler is free by indicating no control.

If the wrestler chose the top position they must try to turn their opponent to their back. As the two wrestlers continue to wrestle there may be a point in the match when the referee determines that neither wrestler can complete or advance a move. In this case the referee will call a stalemate and break/stop the wrestlers moving them back to the center of the mat to start over. If the wrestler on top ever locks his arms around the bottom wrestler while still being on the mat and not having control of at least one arm the top wrestler will be called for locked hands. If this happens the referee will stop the match and award the bottom wrestler one point. At any point in the match a wrestler may not grab or hold the clothing of his /her opponent.

Period 3

After the second period expires, the wrestler who has not made a choice on how to start a period chooses the starting position of this period. As the period begins the referee will ask the bottom wrestler to get set. The bottom wrestler will have to place their knees on one line and their hands in front of the other line located in the center of the mat. After the bottom man indicates to the referee that he/she is set the referee will allow the top wrestler to get position. If the top wrestler tries to get into position too soon or either wrestler moves before the referee indicates to start then that wrestler will be cautioned for a false start. If the wrestler is cautioned again, the other wrestler will be awarded a point.

As the wrestlers continue the match they are each trying to score points or pins/falls. If a wrestler attempts to score a point on another wrestler with an illegal move (i.e. a full nelson), the referee will blow the whistle and stop the match. The referee will award the offended wrestler a point and start the match again from the center of the mat. If one wrestler has control over another and is trying to score, they may unintentionally be in a position where the move they are executing is legal but potentially dangerous. If this occurs the referee will stop the match and again move the wrestlers back to the center of the mat.

Throughout the match wrestlers will be performing different moves. A wrestler can only score on the move if they are in-bounds. A wrestler is considered in-bounds if three points of their body and their opponent's body are within the larger circle. If one wrestler tries to execute a move and their opponent or their own body carries over the outer circle, the referee may blow his/her whistle and have the participants move back to the center of the mat. The referee may or may not award points to a wrestler if the referee deems the move completed before the wrestlers moved out-of-bounds.

Wrestling is a physically demanding sport with many emotions. As wrestlers do combat with each other, sometimes emotions can take over and cause one wrestler to over react. If a referee determines that an individual is or has over-reacted they will blow the whistle and call a technical violation. Depending on the infraction, the offending wrestler may have a point deducted from their score or forfeit the match.

During the season, if you have any questions about scoring, moves, or potential infractions please do talk to the coaches of the team. The coaches will do their very best to address any questions you may have.

WRESTLING 101
Collegiate wrestling (sometimes known as folkstyle wrestling) is the commonly used name of wrestling practiced at the university level in theUnited States. A very similar style is practiced at the high school and middle school levels, and also for younger participants. The term is used to distinguish the styles of wrestling used other parts of the world, and for those of theOlympic Games: Greco-Roman wrestling, and Freestyle wrestling.

Match Format

A bout between two wrestlers is called a match. It consists of three periods, with an overtime period if necessary. Each period lasts from 1 to 3 minutes depending on the age group of the competitors. Period length varies for age groups below high school, which are different from state to state. In high school, all three periods last for 2 minutes, with varying overtime rules (New Jersey and Nebraska have adopted the college overtime ruling). In college, a 3 minute first period is followed by a pair of 2 minute periods with a potential quintuple overtime.

Layout

The match takes place on a thick rubber mat that is shock-absorbing to ensure safety. A large outer circle about 28 feet in diameter that designates the wrestling area is marked on the mat. The circumference line of that circle is called the boundary line. The wrestlers are within bounds when at least one wrestler's supporting points (the weight-bearing points of the body, such as the feet, hands, knees, buttocks, etc.) are within this boundary line. Inside the outer circle is an inner circle about 10 feet in diameter. Wrestlers must stay within this inner circle or else they will be penalized for stalling. Each wrestler begins action at a starting line inside the inner circle (marked red and green to differeniate opponents). Surrounding the outer circle is a protection area that helps prevent injury.

For high school athletes and older, the wrestling area is 32 feet in diameter. For younger age groups, one mat may be divided into halves or quarters so that multiple matches may be staged on a single mat. A rectangle in the middle of the wresling area designates the starting positions for the 3 periods.

Match Progression

Pre-match

Each wrestler puts on a green or red ankle band which the referee will use to indicate scoring.

Period 1

The first period begins with both wrestlers in the standing position. Each wrestler starts with a foot on opposites sides of the starting rectangle. Thereferee asks both wrestlers to shake hands, and then signals the start of the match by blowing his whistle. The match commences with both wrestlers attemping to take down the opponent. The first period in collegiate wrestling is three minutes long.

Period 2

After the first period ends, the referee will flip a coin to determine who gets to choose the starting position of the 2nd period. There are four choices: neutral (the standing position), top, bottom, and defer. Deferring will allow a wrestler his or her choice at the beginning of the third period. This period is two minutes long.

Period 3

The wrestler who did not choose the starting position for period 2 now chooses the starting position. This period is also two minutes long.

1st Overtime

If period 3 ends in a tie, a one minute sudden death overtime is used. Both wrestlers start in the neutral (standing) position. The first to score a point wins.

2nd Overtime

If no points are scored in 1st overtime, a 30 second 2nd overtime is used. Wrestlers start in referees position. The wrestler who scored the first points in the match has choice of top or bottom position. If the bottom man does not escape then the top man wins. If the bottom wrestler scores a point then he wins.

Scoring

Points are awarded when a certain level of control is gained over your opponent. In general, you have to be controlling your opponents hips in order for the referee to determine that you have gained control of your opponent. Scoring can be accomplished in the following ways:

Take down (2 points) - From the neutral position, one wrestler brings the other down onto the mat and establishes control over him. This is most often accomplished by attacking the legs of the opponent, although various throws can also be used to bring a wrestler down.

Reverse (2 points) - A wrestler who is being controlled takes control from his opponent.

Near-fall (2 point version) - A wrestler exposes his opponent's back to the mat for 2 to 4 seconds. The referee counts the seconds off.

Near fall (3 point version) - A wrestler exposes his opponent's back to the mat for 5 seconds or more. After 5 seconds, the referee awards 3 points and stops counting.

Escape (1 point) - A wrestler who is being controlled manages to escape from his opponent into the neutral position.

Penalty (1 point) - A point can be awarded by the referee for various penalty situations, such as illegal holds or stalling.

Riding time (1 point) - A point awarded to the wrestler with the most riding time, time spent in the top position preventing an escape or reversal, given that the difference between the two wrestlers is more than a minute (only used in college competition).

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Pinning

Contrary to the image perpetuated by professional wrestlers, one does not have to hold his opponent's back to the mat for three seconds in order to pin. If both shoulders are authoritatively held to the mat, the referee will slap the mat indicating a pin and the end of the match. The referee will typically use his hands to determine the amount of space between the mat and the shoulders of the wrestler being pinned. A pin in folkstyle results from one wrestler's holding his opponent's shoulders to the mat for 2 seconds, while in freestyle a pin is scored by the opposing wrestler's back touching the mat.

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High School Level

Also known as Scholastic wrestling, when practiced at the high school and junior high level, a few differences are seen from when practiced at the college and university level. One is the length of time of high school matches - normally, three two-minute periods. In college wrestling, the first period is three minutes with the second and third being two minutes. Additionally, college wrestling carries the concept of "riding time" - if one wrestler can maintain the top position for more than one minute greater than his opponent's total in the match, he is awarded an additional point at the end of the match. High school wrestling does not tally riding time.

Every high school is expected to practice wrestling at two levels: varsity andjunior varsity. Varsity matches consist of three two minute periods, while junior varisty matches can sometimes consist of three one minute and 30 second periods. This difference is explained by the fact that junior varisty wrestlers are presumed to be less skilled and possibly in poorer shape than varisty wrestlers.

High school wrestlers can compete at 14 different weight classes. To belong to a weight class, a wrestler must weigh less than or equal to the weight value of the class. The weight classes are:

96 pounds (Only in some states such as New York)

103 pounds
112 pounds
119 pounds
125 pounds
130 pounds
135 pounds
140 pounds
145 pounds
152 pounds
160 pounds
171 pounds

180 pounds (Only in some states such as Texas)

189 pounds
215 pounds
"Heavyweight" or 285 pounds

(NOTE: Many tournaments and dual matches feature a "two pound allowance" or a " one pound allowance", which allows wrestlers to compete in a certain class if they are within two or one pounds over the weight limit for that class.)

Tournaments are often officially sponsored by a high school and held on either Friday, Saturday, or both. Admission charges are often levied to cover costs and make a small profit for the tournament host. A tournament begins with a perod of time known as "weigh ins", wrestlers are weighed in by school affiliation to be sure that they are not heavier than the weight class that they intend to wrestle in during the tournament. Weighs thus officially determine who will be competing at which weight class for the tournament. Wrestlers often work very hard to keep their weight down or even lose weight before the tournament in order to make their desired weight class. Weigh ins often start at 6 or 7 AM and last until 8 or 9 AM. On occasion, the hosting school will offer breakfast for a small fee to all tournament attendees.

Tournaments often specialize in either junior varsity or varisty competitions. Very few tournaments offer both. However, specialization of competition is usually the norm because of space limitations.

Most high school wrestling tournaments are double elimination format. The last two wrestlers in the upper bracket duel for first and second place. In other words, a wrestler cannot place higher than third if he or she is knocked down the lower bracket by a loss. This policy is largely the result of time constraints: one-day tournaments often last until 8 or even 9 PM. If the winner of the lower bracket were allowed to challenge the winner of the upper bracket in the championship, the tournament could continue past midnight before finishing.

Each state or geographic area features two or three "elite" tournaments every year. These events are invite only. Tournament sponsors (which are still usually high schools) invite the best varsity wrestlers from their area to compete against each other. Many elite tournaments last two or even three days. Elite tournaments are often scheduled during the school's winter break for this reason.

High schools also compete against each other in a league. Head to head competition (referred to as a "dual match") between high schools often occurs on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday night during the wrestling season. (Practices usually start November 1st, and dual matches usually last from December through January.)

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Dual Matches

Dual matches also begin with weigh ins. Enough time is allotted between weigh ins and competition to allow wrestlers who are overweight to run or otherwise attempt to sweat vigorously in order to lose enough weight to qualify for the weight class. Duals often feature one or two pound allowances, but in order to qualify for the league championship, wrestlers are required to weigh in without the benefit of a pound allowance at least several times during the dual match season.

During a dual match, both the junior varsity and varsity squads from the two involved schools compete against each other. The format of competition is as follows:

1. The top junior varsity wrestler of each school compete against each other in order of increasing weight class. In other words, the dual match commences with a competition between each school's top 103 pound junior varsity wrestler. After the conclusion of that match, the top 112 pound junior varisty wrestler from each school compete. The process continues through the junior varisty heavyweight division. Oftentimes if more than one junior varsity wreslter is at a certain weight class for each school, the coaches will agree to hold a "exhibition match" which does not count towards the point total but allows the wrestlers to gain more competitive experience.

2. After a break, the varsity matches commence in the same fashion as the junior varsity matches. However, there are no exhibition matches at the varsity level.

Dual Match Scoring: The junior varsity and varisty competitions are scored separately. Each of the 14 matches (one match for every weight class) is scored on the following criteria:

The winning wrestler's team is allotted 3 points if he wins the match on points, with a margin of victory of 7 points or less.
The winning wrestler's team is allotted 4 points if he wins the match on points, with a margin of victory of between 8 and 14 points.
The winning wrestler's team is allotted 5 points, and the match is immediately ended, if said wrestler opens a 15 or more point margin over his opponent. This occurrence is known as a technical pin or a technical fall ("tech" for short; slang: "I teched him") because the winning wreslter is assumed to have won complete domination over his opponent, with the notable absence of a pin.
The winning wrestler's team is allotted 6 points, and the match is immediately ended, if said wrestler pins his opponent.
In addition, 6 points are awarded to a team if a wrestler affiliated with that team qualfies for a weight class at which the opposing team qualifies no wrestler. This occasion is known as a "forfeit"; or a bye. The existence of the "forfeit" condition encourages teams to have at least one junior varsity and one varsity competitor at every weight class.

At the end of the dual match, the points are tallied and the team with the most points wins. As noted above, the points are tallied separately, and it is entirely possible for one participating school to win the junior varsity dual match and one participating school to win the varsity dual match.

Contact

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