© 2006-2010 Angela Gillaspie, All Rights Reserved
There's no let-up... it's the fastest six minutes in sports. Each wrestling match is divided into three periods. Yet, from the first seconds, the "Sudden Death" rule applies. Each opponent is going for a "pin". If one succeeds, at any time, the match is over. Youth tournaments are usually double-elimination.
The wrestlers secure green or red bands around one of their ankles, thus naming them as the "green" or "red" wrestler.
This two-minute period begins with wrestlers in the neutral position (facing each other on their feet). Referee signals the timekeeper, blows the whistle and commands "Wrestle". Each wrestler moves, attempting to take his opponent to the mat and gain control. This is called a "take-down" for which the referee awards points. A "take-down" is completed when offensive wrestler has taken his opponent to the mat and has moved behind and on top, or in some other manner has demonstrated his control. After securing an advantage, top wrestler tries to retain it by keeping the bottom wrestler in his control. He may use his hands, arms, legs, or a combination to maintain control. The bottom wrestler must at all times try to escape and gain control, or top position for himself.
The second two-minute period starts with the toss of a coin or disk signifying "green" or "red" wrestler and the winner of the toss has the choice to select neutral, top or bottom position; or to defer his choice to the third period. The wrestler choosing top position attempts to pin his opponent or retain control, while the underneath wrestler tries to reverse his position. When the wrestler on top trying to pin his opponent fails to hold both of his opponent's shoulders down on the mat for the necessary two seconds, he may still be given credit and points for a partially successful attempt.
The third two-minute period begins with the wrestler who did not choose position during second period now has choice. This gives each wrestler an opportunity to show his skill from his best position during the course for the match.
If at the end of the 3 periods the match is tied there will be a one-minute sudden death overtime period. The wrestlers will begin in the neutral or standing position and the first person to score a point will win the match. If at the end of the first overtime there is still no winner there will be a second and final 1 minute overtime period. This period will be from the referee or down position with the top or bottom wrestler once again being determined by the flip of the coin. In this period the bottom wrestler must escape to win and the top wrestler must either prevent the escape or score a pin or near fall points.
When the wrestlers go off the edge of the mat, the referee brings the contestants back to the center of the mat, placing the wrestler on the mat as determined by the position held upon going out-of-bounds.
The individual match point system in wrestling is an evaluation of the activity, used to determine a winner in case there is no fall (or pin, as it is called). It is the referee's duty, among other things to analyze the situation and signal the points to the scorekeeper. The points signaled by the referee are usually a reward to the wrestler for his actions. Once in a while, a wrestler is penalized, and points are awarded to his opponent for infractions such as illegal holds and/or unnecessary roughness, as well as various technical violations related mainly to stalling.
A wrestler can win by pinning his opponent or by scoring more points than his opponent. During a dual points are awarded to the team depending on the match point spread or if there was a pin.
The match times vary with the age group:
Match Rules for Youth Wrestlers:
What should you bring to youth tournaments? Here's a list of the basics: