How to Watch and Understand Men's Wrestling
Scoring the Match
| Individual | Dual Meet | Tournaments | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takedown | 2 points | Fall | 6 points | Points scored for teams in tournaments are dependent upon the number of placers awarded in each event. Individual wrestlers can earn anywhere from one to 10 points. Wrestlers also earn one point for advancing in the championship bracket and a half-point for advancing in the consolation bracket. |
| Escape | 1 point | Forfeit | 6 points | |
| Reversal | 2 points | Default | 6 points | |
| Near Fall (3-4 second count) | 2 points | Disqualification | 6 points | |
| Near Fall (5 second count) | 3 points | Termination (differential of 15 points or more) | 4 points | |
| Time Advantage (1 minute or more, AKA riding time) | 1 points | Termination with Near Fall points | 5 points | |
| Major Decision (8-14 points) | 4 points | |||
| Decision (1-7 points) | 3 points | |||
Duration of Match
A typical match during dual meets consists of three periods. The first period last three minutes, while the final two minutes last two minutes. Tournaments may use modified time limits, usually three two-minute periods.
Both wrestlers start the match in the neutral position. For the second and third periods, a coin flip determines which wrestler will choose the starting position. They may choose the offensive position, the defensive position, or neutral.
Starting/Neutral Position: The match will start with both contestants standing opposite each other with their lead foot on the green or red area of the starting lines and the other foot even with or behind the lead foot. This is the neutral position in which neither wrestler has control.
Defensive Wrestler: The defensive wrestler takes a stationary position at the center of the mat with both hands and knees on the mat, as directed by the referee.
Offensive Wrestler: The offensive wrestler will be on the right or left side of the opponent with at least one knee on the mat and head on or above the midline of the opponent’s back. The offensive wrestler may choose to take a position on either side of or to the rear of the defensive wrestler with both hands on the opponent’s back, thumbs touching. The wrestler must indicate his intent to the referee.
Stalemate: While the contestants are interlocked in a position other than a pinning situation in with neither wrestler can improve position, the referee shall stop action. Wrestling will be resumed.
Position of Advantage: This is a situation in which a contestant is in control and maintaining restraining power over the opponent. Control is the determining factor. The offensive wrestler in entitled to this advantage until the opponent gains neutral position or a reversal.
In Bounds: Contestants are considered to be in bounds if the supporting parts (parts that bear the wrestler’s weight, such as the knees, buttocks and the hands) or either wrestler are within the inside edge of the boundary lines. As long as the supporting parts of either wrestler remain in bounds, wrestling will continue.
Resumption of Wrestling After Out Of Bounds: The contestants at the resumption of a match shall be in neutral or the starting position on the mat as determined the position held going out of bounds.
Scoring
Takedown (2 points): A takedown shall be awarded when, from the neutral position, a contestant gains control and places the opponent’s supporting points down on the mat beyond reaction time.
Escape (1 point): A defensive wrestler is awarded an escape when the offensive wrestler loses control of the opponent while the supporting parts of either wrestler are in bounds.
Reversal (2 points): A reversal occurs when the defensive wrestler comes from underneath and gains control of the opponent, either on the mat or in the rear-standing position.
Near Fall (2 or 3 points): A near fall is a position in which the offensive wrestler has the opponent in a controlled pinning situation. When the following criteria are met for two seconds, two points are awarded. When met for five uninterrupted seconds, three points are awarded:
Time Advantage (1 point): The offensive wrestler who has control in an advantage position is gaining time advantage. If the contestant with greater time advantage has less than one minute of net time advantage, no point is awarded. If a contestant has one minute or more of net time advantage, the wrestler is awarded one point.
End of Match
Fall (6 points): Any part of both shoulders or part of both scapulae of either wrestler held in contact with the mat for one second constitutes a fall. The one-second count (one-thousand-one) shall be a silent count by the referee and shall start only after the referee is in position to observe that a fall is immediate.
Match Termination/ Technical Fall (5 points): A match termination occurs when a wrestler has earned a 15-point advantage over the opponent.
Decision (3 or 4 points): A decision is awarded when a wrestler has earned an advantage of one to seven points. A four-point major decision is awarded when a wrestler has earned an eight to 14- point advantage over the opponent.
Overtime
If a match ends in a tie, a one-minute, sudden victory overtime period will be used. Both wrestlers begin in the neutral position. The wrestler to score the first points will be the winner.
If no winner has been declared after the first overtime period, two 30-second tiebreaker periods will be used. Both tiebreaker periods will be wrestled in their entirety. The choice for position in the first period is by scoring during the regulation match. Time advantage will be kept in both 30-second periods.
If no winner is determined after the first round of overtime, rounds of sudden victory followed by two-tiebreaker periods will be repeated until a winner is determined.
Source: NCAA Wrestling Rule Book
*One-on-one bouts take place in 10 weight classes (by pounds): 125, 133, 141, 149, 157, 165, 174, 184, 197, 285 (also called heavyweight).
WEIGH-INS: Weigh-ins for dual meets are one hour prior to the first dual meet of the day (time can be changed by the coaches if there are two dual meets). They are usually conducted in the home team’s wrestling room or locker room (skin check is done just prior to weigh-ins). The trainer or coach is usually given the weigh-in sheets. Weigh-ins for tournaments are a little different – usually there are 1-2 hours before the first round of competition (skin check can be done the day before). The wrestlers weigh in each day of competition (you are allowed one pound overages on both Day 2 and on Day 3).
How to Watch and Understand Men's Wrestling
Scoring the Match
| Individual | Dual Meet | Tournaments | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takedown | 2 points | Fall | 6 points | Points scored for teams in tournaments are dependent upon the number of placers awarded in each event. Individual wrestlers can earn anywhere from one to 10 points. Wrestlers also earn one point for advancing in the championship bracket and a half-point for advancing in the consolation bracket. |
| Escape | 1 point | Forfeit | 6 points | |
| Reversal | 2 points | Default | 6 points | |
| Near Fall (3-4 second count) | 2 points | Disqualification | 6 points | |
| Near Fall (5 second count) | 3 points | Termination (differential of 15 points or more) | 4 points | |
| Time Advantage (1 minute or more, AKA riding time) | 1 points | Termination with Near Fall points | 5 points | |
| Major Decision (8-14 points) | 4 points | |||
| Decision (1-7 points) | 3 points | |||
Duration of Match
A typical match during dual meets consists of three periods. The first period last three minutes, while the final two minutes last two minutes. Tournaments may use modified time limits, usually three two-minute periods.
Both wrestlers start the match in the neutral position. For the second and third periods, a coin flip determines which wrestler will choose the starting position. They may choose the offensive position, the defensive position, or neutral.
Starting/Neutral Position: The match will start with both contestants standing opposite each other with their lead foot on the green or red area of the starting lines and the other foot even with or behind the lead foot. This is the neutral position in which neither wrestler has control.
Defensive Wrestler: The defensive wrestler takes a stationary position at the center of the mat with both hands and knees on the mat, as directed by the referee.
Offensive Wrestler: The offensive wrestler will be on the right or left side of the opponent with at least one knee on the mat and head on or above the midline of the opponent’s back. The offensive wrestler may choose to take a position on either side of or to the rear of the defensive wrestler with both hands on the opponent’s back, thumbs touching. The wrestler must indicate his intent to the referee.
Stalemate: While the contestants are interlocked in a position other than a pinning situation in with neither wrestler can improve position, the referee shall stop action. Wrestling will be resumed.
Position of Advantage: This is a situation in which a contestant is in control and maintaining restraining power over the opponent. Control is the determining factor. The offensive wrestler in entitled to this advantage until the opponent gains neutral position or a reversal.
In Bounds: Contestants are considered to be in bounds if the supporting parts (parts that bear the wrestler’s weight, such as the knees, buttocks and the hands) or either wrestler are within the inside edge of the boundary lines. As long as the supporting parts of either wrestler remain in bounds, wrestling will continue.
Resumption of Wrestling After Out Of Bounds: The contestants at the resumption of a match shall be in neutral or the starting position on the mat as determined the position held going out of bounds.
Scoring
Takedown (2 points): A takedown shall be awarded when, from the neutral position, a contestant gains control and places the opponent’s supporting points down on the mat beyond reaction time.
Escape (1 point): A defensive wrestler is awarded an escape when the offensive wrestler loses control of the opponent while the supporting parts of either wrestler are in bounds.
Reversal (2 points): A reversal occurs when the defensive wrestler comes from underneath and gains control of the opponent, either on the mat or in the rear-standing position.
Near Fall (2 or 3 points): A near fall is a position in which the offensive wrestler has the opponent in a controlled pinning situation. When the following criteria are met for two seconds, two points are awarded. When met for five uninterrupted seconds, three points are awarded:
Time Advantage (1 point): The offensive wrestler who has control in an advantage position is gaining time advantage. If the contestant with greater time advantage has less than one minute of net time advantage, no point is awarded. If a contestant has one minute or more of net time advantage, the wrestler is awarded one point.
End of Match
Fall (6 points): Any part of both shoulders or part of both scapulae of either wrestler held in contact with the mat for one second constitutes a fall. The one-second count (one-thousand-one) shall be a silent count by the referee and shall start only after the referee is in position to observe that a fall is immediate.
Match Termination/ Technical Fall (5 points): A match termination occurs when a wrestler has earned a 15-point advantage over the opponent.
Decision (3 or 4 points): A decision is awarded when a wrestler has earned an advantage of one to seven points. A four-point major decision is awarded when a wrestler has earned an eight to 14- point advantage over the opponent.
Overtime
If a match ends in a tie, a one-minute, sudden victory overtime period will be used. Both wrestlers begin in the neutral position. The wrestler to score the first points will be the winner.
If no winner has been declared after the first overtime period, two 30-second tiebreaker periods will be used. Both tiebreaker periods will be wrestled in their entirety. The choice for position in the first period is by scoring during the regulation match. Time advantage will be kept in both 30-second periods.
If no winner is determined after the first round of overtime, rounds of sudden victory followed by two-tiebreaker periods will be repeated until a winner is determined.
Source: NCAA Wrestling Rule Book
*One-on-one bouts take place in 10 weight classes (by pounds): 125, 133, 141, 149, 157, 165, 174, 184, 197, 285 (also called heavyweight).
WEIGH-INS: Weigh-ins for dual meets are one hour prior to the first dual meet of the day (time can be changed by the coaches if there are two dual meets). They are usually conducted in the home team’s wrestling room or locker room (skin check is done just prior to weigh-ins). The trainer or coach is usually given the weigh-in sheets. Weigh-ins for tournaments are a little different – usually there are 1-2 hours before the first round of competition (skin check can be done the day before). The wrestlers weigh in each day of competition (you are allowed one pound overages on both Day 2 and on Day 3).