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Starting the Match
Wrestlers begin each match on their feet, facing each other in the “neutral position”. The wrestler wearing a GREEN leg band is the HOME wrestler and the visiting wrestler is wearing RED. The wrestlers shake hands and the referee blows the whistle to begin wrestling.
Wrestling Positions
While the first period begins with the wrestlers in the neutral position, a coin toss determines which wrestler gets his choice of starting positions of the second and third periods. If the home wrestler gets to choose his position for the second period (top, bottom, or neutral), the visiting wrestler gets his choice the third period. The wrestler that wins the coin toss, after the first period has been completed, has the opportunity to chose position or defer his choice to the third period.
Points are Scored Throughout the Match
Wrestlers are awarded points for the following moves: takedown, reversal, escape, and near fall. The referee can also award points for illegal holds or stalling.
Takedown (2 points) - A takedown occurs when either wrestler, starting from the neutral position, gains control of his opponent on the mat.
Escape (1 point) - The defensive wrestler (on bottom) is awarded one point for an escape when he moves to a neutral position.
Reversal (2 points) - The defensive wrestler (on bottom) is awarded 2 points for a reversal when he gains control of his opponent and becomes the offensive wrestler (on top). This may take place while the defensive wrestler is either on his feet or on the mat.
Near Fall (2 or 3 Points) - Points for a near fall are awarded when the non-offensive wrestler has control of his opponent in a near pinning position. This occurs when the defensive wrestler’s shoulders are restrained four or fewer inches from the mat, one shoulder is touching the mat and the other is held at a forty-five degree angle to the mat, or when the wrestler is in a high bridge or supported on both elbows. If the near fall criteria are met for a period of two consecutive seconds, a two-point near fall is awarded; if the near fall criteria is met for five consecutive seconds, a three-point near fall is earned. End of match A match ends when one of the following occurs: a pin (fall), a technical fall, or time expires.
Pin (Fall) - A pin is awarded when a wrestler holds any part of both of his opponent’s shoulders to the mat for three continuous seconds.
Technical Fall - When a wrestler has earned a 15 point advantage over his opponent, the referee will end the match.
Time Expired - If there has not been a fall or a technical fall by the end of the third period, the winner of the match is determined by the number of individual points scored. The wrestler with the most points wins the match by decision.
Overtime - A two minute overtime period begins immediately after the regulation match. Both wrestlers are in neutral position. The first wrestler to score is the winner.
INFRACTIONS, PENALTIES AND INJURY, TIME-OUTS, ILLEGAL HOLDS - Illegal holds are dangerous and can cause injury. Whenever a referee witnesses one of these holds being used, he awards one point to the offender’s opponent. Illegal holds include, but are not limited to:
Slam– lifting and returning an opponent to the mat with excessive force
Hammerlock– pulling the opponent’s arms too high on the back or pulling the arm away from the back.
Headlock– arms or hands are locked around the opponents head without encircling an arm.
Full Nelson– arms are under both arms of the opponent and behind the head. Potentially Dangerous holds occur when a body part is forced to the limit of the normal range of movement. The referee will caution a wrestler against forcing a hold into an illegal position, however, he will not stop wrestling action unless it is necessary to prevent an injury. Technical Violations may cause the offending wrestler to be penalized one point. The referee may give cautions or warnings about some violations but not all. Technical Violations include assuming an incorrect starting position, false start, grasping clothing or headgear, interlocking hands, and leaving the wrestling area without permission from the referee.
CONDUCT INFRACTIONS
Unnecessary Roughness– Physical acts that exceed normal aggressiveness.
Un-sportsmanlike Conduct– physical and non-physical acts that can occur before, during, or after a match. Examples: shoving, swearing, failing to follow referee instructions, baiting and taunting.
Flagrant Misconduct- any physical or non-physical act occurring before, during or after a match that the referee considers to be serious enough to disqualify a contestant from a match or tournament. Examples: biting, hitting, head-butting, elbowing etc.
Stalling– Each wrestler is required to make an honest attempt to stay within the 10 foot circle and wrestle aggressively at all times. When a referee recognizes stalling, he will warn the offender. Further violations will be penalized. Penalties and warnings are cumulative throughout the match and overtime. Penalty points are awarded to the offender’s opponent. He is awarded one point for the first and second offenses, and two points for the third offense. On the fourth offense, the offending wrestler is disqualified.
Ten Rules for Parents of Wrestlers
1. Make sure your son knows you love him! Win or lose, scared or heroic, let him know you appreciate his efforts and will never be disappointed with him. This will allow him to do his best without fear of failure. Be the person is his life he can look to for constant positive reinforcement.
2. Try to be honest about your child's athletic capability, his competitive attitude and his actual skill level.
3. Be interested and supportive but don't coach your son. It's tough not to, but it's a lot tougher for the child to be inundated with advice, pep talks, and frequent critical instruction.
4. Teach him to enjoy the thrill of competition. Let him know that improving skills and attitudes are important. Help him to develop the feel for competing, working hard and having fun.
5. Try nor to re-live your athletic life through your child. This creates added pressure that your son does not need. Remember, we have all fumbled, lost games, been frightened.
6. Don't compare the skill, courage, or attitudes of your child with others members of the team within his presence.
7. Remember young men tend to exaggerate when being praised and criticized. Temper your reaction until you investigate.
8. Don't compete with the coach. Keep in mind that they are balancing the development of your child with the growth and development of an entire athletic program and team. Often coaches have many considerations that are not obvious to parents.
9. Get to know the coach. Understanding his philosophy, attitudes, ethics and knowledge in such a way that you are happy to have your child under his leadership.
10. Make a point of understanding courage, and the fact that it is relative. Some people can climb mountains but afraid to fight. Others will fight but turn to jelly if a bee approaches. Everyone is frightened of certain things. Explain to your son, that courage is not the absence of fear, but means, finishing or doing something in spite of fear or discomfort.
Tournaments from a mom's point of view...
Preparing your child for a wrestling tournament
1. Make sure your child gets enough sleep the night before a tournament.
2. Most people take a warm up suit or sweatpants and sweatshirts for their children to wear over their singlets. (At times, the gyms can get very warm and you can slip these off easily and have their singlet underneath.)
3. Pack everything a child needs the night before for a wrestling tournament, (headgear, wrestling shoes, etc.) and place in a gym bag.
4. Everyone is responsible for his or her own items. If you happen to take a "hand game," you should put your name on the back of it.
Tournaments
1. Most families need to leave their homes around 6:30 AM. Plan to spend most of the day at the tournament -- most are over by 3:00 PM, but they can last longer.
2. Tournaments usually start with registration and weigh-ins from 7 AM to 9 AM Each tournament will have a wrestler entry fee of $4 to $10 for each wrestler, and $2 to $4 for spectators.
3. The wrestling usually starts around 10:30 AM.
4. Wrestlers are divided first into groups by grade and/or age, then by weight, and often by wrestling experience into groups of 4 wrestlers. This group of four wrestlers will wrestle a round robin, so unless there is a bye, each wrestle 3 times.
Food for the wrestling tournaments
1. Every tournament usually has a concession stand that furnishes food. At times, the food purchased at these tournaments can be expensive.
2. It never hurts to bring Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, etc. for a child if they have an upset stomach, headache, etc.
3. Several people pack their own food in coolers. Kids get really hot after wrestling and they do need drinks (preferably water).
4. Most tournaments have a cafeteria with several tables that you may use to set your coolers on, but some wrestling tournaments do not allow food in the gym. The gyms get rather warm, so make sure the food in your cooler stays cool.
Transportation to the wrestling tournaments
1. Some clubs set up a team meeting place/time such as a "Park & Ride" and caravan as a team.
2. At practices preceding the tournaments we hand out tournament details and directions on a map- make sure you know how to get to the tournament location.
3. If your child would like to wrestle but you can not make it, set up a ride with another parent or meet us at the designated location.
Other items
1. You are not required to go to any of the tournaments. Sometimes the kids get tired and they need a break away from the tournaments. It is a decision entirely between you and your child.
2. Because wrestling is a contact sport, cleanliness is a must. Please bandage any cuts or scrapes well, as they will not be allowed to wrestle with them exposed.
Finally . . . . . . Speaking as a Mom, you should relax, breathe and be there to support your child. Let the coaches' coach and let's enjoy another great wrestling season!
