How to Watch and Understand Women's Wrestling
Women’s wrestling is freestyle, as opposed to the folkstyle used by men in colleges and high schools. While the two forms are similar, freestyle uses a separate set of scoring criteria and some modified rules.
For those familiar with freestyle wrestling, the rules were changes in August 2004 by a vote of FILA, wrestling’s international governing body, and implemented following the 2004 Olympic Games.
DURATION OF THE MATCH
A freestyle wrestling match is made up of three, two minute periods with a 30 second break between each period. The first wrestler to win two periods wins the match, and each round is scored separately.
FALL
Also known as a pin, the match ends when both shoulders are held to the mat for a count of at least one second.
TECHNICAL FALL
The period shall end when a wrestler goes ahead by a six-point margin
PERIOD ENDS
The period shall end on a fall, technical fall, a single five-point throw or two three-point throws by one wrestler.
IN THE EVENT OF A TIE
In the event that a period should end at a tie, a winner will be determined by successfully examining the following elements:
SCORELESS TIE AT END OF PERIOD
If the period ends in a scoreless tie, it shall be broken by a leg clinch, where the wrestler who wins the coin flip begins in a single-leg position. The wrestler must score within 30 seconds to win the period.
SCORING
1 point: Takedown, reversal, hand-to-hand exposure or escape.
1 extra point: High amplitude throw from mat, holding opponent on back for five seconds.
2 points: Exposure, takedown then exposure.
3 points: Takedown to immediate exposure from feet, high amplitude throw without danger.
5 points: High amplitude throw to danger.
Illegal hold without consequence: 1 point plus caution
Illegal hold with consequence: 2 points plus caution
Fleeing the mat: 1 point plus caution
Injury timeout without blood: 1 point plus caution
Source: USA Wrestling
How to Watch and Understand Women's Wrestling
Women’s wrestling is freestyle, as opposed to the folkstyle used by men in colleges and high schools. While the two forms are similar, freestyle uses a separate set of scoring criteria and some modified rules.
For those familiar with freestyle wrestling, the rules were changes in August 2004 by a vote of FILA, wrestling’s international governing body, and implemented following the 2004 Olympic Games.
DURATION OF THE MATCH
A freestyle wrestling match is made up of three, two minute periods with a 30 second break between each period. The first wrestler to win two periods wins the match, and each round is score separately.
FALL
Also known as a pin, the match ends when both shoulders are held to the mat for a count of at least one second.
TECHNICAL FALL
The period shall end when a wrestler goes ahead by a six-point margin
PERIOD ENDS
The period shall end on a fall, technical fall, a single five-point throw or three-point throws by one wrestler.
IN THE EVENT OF A TIE
In the event that a period should end of a tie, a winner will be determined by successfully examining the following elements:
SCORELESS TIE AT END OF PERIOD
If the period ends in a scoreless tie, it shall be broken by a leg clinch, where the wrestler who wins the coin flip begins in a single-leg position. The wrestler must score within 30 seconds to win the period.
SCORING
1 point: Takedown, reversal, hand-to-hand exposure or escape.
1 extra point: High amplitude throw from mat, holding opponent on back for five seconds.
2 points: Exposure, takedown then exposure.
3 points: Takedown to immediate exposure from feet, high amplitude throw without danger
5 points: High amplitude throw to danger.
Illegal hold without consequence: 1 point plus caution
Illegal hold with consequence: 2 points plus caution
Fleeing the mat: 1 point plus caution
Injury timeout without blood: 1 point plus caution
Source: USA Wrestling