1-
History & Object
2- Essentials
(Scoring, Etc.)
3-
Mat Diagram
4-
Fouls
5-
Glossary of Wrestling
Terms
The Essentials
Game Length
An individual match
can end in a few seconds
if a wrestler is immediately
pinned. If no wrestler
is pinned, a wrestling
match consists of three
two-minute periods. To
break a tie after three
periods, a one-minute
sudden-death overtime
period occurs, and the
first wrestler to score
a point wins the match.
A second 30-second overtime
period is wrestled, if
necessary.
Start of the game
After shaking hands
with the referee and opponent,
the wrestlers face each
other and start the match
standing in the neutral
position. At the
start of the second period,
one wrestler chooses,
as determined by a disk
toss, to begin in the
offensive
starting position
or defensive
starting position
of the par
terre, the neutral
position, or defer
the choice to the third
period. The other competitor
receives the choice at
the beginning of the third
period.
Scoring
Wrestling is all about
control. The main objective
is to establish total
domination by pinning
an opponents shoulders
to the mat to earn a fall
and victory. If no
wrestler can pin
his opponent, points
are awarded to wrestlers
as control changes. The
wrestler with the most
points at the end of a
match is the winner. Establishing
control from a neutral
position is called a takedown
and is worth two points.
Almost pinning an opponent
scores two, three, or
four points and is called
a near
fall. A wrestler
who is able to return
to a neutral position
after being controlled
by an opponent earns one
point for an escape.
A wrestler who is controlled
by an opponent and reverses
control earns two points
for a reversal.
Points are also deducted
for infractions of the
rules. Points are posted
immediately and in plain
sight so spectators and
wrestlers know the score.
In order for the match
to end, one athlete must
score at least three points.
A technical
fall occurs and
the match is ended when
a wrestler establishes
a 15-point advantage over
the opponent.
Positions
A wrestling team may
have many members, but
only 14 compete in a typical
meet, one from each weight
class. Weight classes
are established to ensure
that opponents are approximately
the same size and weight.
Each weight class represents
the maximum pounds a wrestler
may weigh to compete in
that class and are broken
down as follows: 103,
112, 119, 125, 130, 135,
140, 145, 152, 160, 171,
189, 215, and heavyweights
under 275 pounds. A random
draw determines which
weight will wrestle first.
Following the first class,
the next heaviest class
wrestles. For example,
if 189 is drawn, the competition
progresses as follows:
189, 215, 275, 103, 112,
etc.
Team Scoring
Wrestling is a team
sport made up of many
individual matches. The
type of win for each match
dictates different team
points. The team with
the most total points
wins the meet. In dual
meets, in which two teams
face each other, the following
point system is used:
Fall:
(six points) Wrestler
pins opponents shoulders
to the mat for two seconds.
Forfeit: (six
points) Awarded when the
opposing wrestler fails
to appear for the match.
Default: (six
points) Awarded when the
opponent is unable to
continue wrestling, most
frequently awarded after
an injury.
Disqualification:
(six points) Awarded when
the opponent is disqualified
for repeated infractions
or flagrant misconduct.
Technical fall:
(five points) Occurs anytime
a 15-point lead is established.
Major decision:
(four points) Wrestler
wins by at least eight
points.
Decision: (three
points) Wrestler wins
by one to seven points.
In addition to competing
in dual meets, wrestling
teams often compete in
tournaments. In tournaments,
as in dual meets, team
points are awarded for
the outcome of each bout
(such as fall, default,
forfeit, disqualification,
technical fall, and major
decision). In addition,
wrestlers also earn points
for advancement. For example,
bonus points are awarded
for advancing to the championship
or consolation brackets.
Points are also awarded
for finishing as one of
the top wrestlers for
each weight class.
Equipment
Equipment in wrestling
is minimal. A wrestling
uniform is a one-piece
singlet, usually red for
one team and blue for
the other. The shoes are
light and heelless and
are laced tightly to provide
firm support for the ankles.
A protective ear guard
must be worn anytime wrestling
takes place, usually of
two main styles: traditional
and halo. Wrestlers must
also bring a piece of
cloth to the match to
wipe sweat and blood.
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