Match Procedure

Match Length: Each match is seven minutes in length and is divided into three periods. The first period is three minutes long and the second and third periods are both two minutes in length.

Neutral Position: The starting position in which each wrestler is standing with his lead foot on the starting line and other foot behind the lead foot. The first period always begins this way.

Choice: If no fall occurs during the first period, the referee shall begin the second period with the wrestler who has the option of selecting up, down, neutral, or deferring his choice until the third period. The wrestler who does not have the first option may select up, down, or neutral when it is his choice. Note: The "referee's position" is also used to restart the match when one wrestler has control of the other as they leave the wrestling area or go out of bounds.

Wrestling Area: The area inside the circle including the two-inch line is considered the wrestling area and in bounds. Only one supporting point (knee, foot, elbow, shoulder, scapula) needs to be in the circle for a takedown or reversal to occur. Only one shoulder needs to be in the wrestling area for a fall to occur. (New interpretation in 2006).

A takedown occurs whenever a contestant brings his opponent to the mat from a neutral position and gains control. (2pts.)

An escape occurs when the bottom or defensive wrestler gains a neutral position-standing and facing his opponent. (1pt.)

A reversal occurs when one wrestler moves out from underneath his opponent and moves directly behind or on top of his opponent. (2pts.)

A near fall occurs when the wrestler in control holds his opponent's shoulders within a 45 degree angle of the mat or when both shoulders are held four inches from the mat for two seconds. This is a 2-point near fall. If the same criteria is met for five uninterrupted seconds, a 3-point near fall is awarded.

Time advantage is accumulated as one wrestler retains the offensive position against his opponent. If at the end of a match, one wrestler has accumulated one full minute more of "time advantage" or "riding time" than his opponent, the referee will award him one point.

A fall is awarded to the team whose wrestler holds the shoulders of his opponent for one second. This ends the match.

A technical fall terminates a match when a wrestler has earned a 15-point advantage over his opponent.

A decision is awarded to the team whose wrestler scored the most "match" points with neither wrestler having attained a fall. If one wrestler has 8 to 14 "match" points more than his opponent, a major decision is awarded.

A default occurs when a wrestler is unable to compete a match due to an injury.

A disqualification occurs when a wrestler has used four illegal holds throughout the match or is called for flagrant misconduct.

Each wrestler must make an honest attempt to stay within the 10-foot circle and maintain an attack to secure a takedown regardless of the time or score in the match. A contestant who continually avoids contact with his opponent is stalling. A warning is issued the first time per match per wrestler and a subsequent call is penalized.

A stalement is whistled when the wrestlers are interlocked in a position other than a pinning position and neither can improve their positions. The match is resumed the same as for out of bounds.

Tie match. If the score is tied after the regular match, the match will proceed into "Sudden Victory" overtime, which is a 1- minute "Sudden Victory" period. The person who scores the first point(s) is declared the winner. If no one has secured a point, two 30-second tiebreakers occur. The two tiebreaker periods are wrestled in their entirety. The choice for position in the first tiebreaker period will be granted to the wrestler who scores the first points other than penalty points and escapes in the regulation match. Time advantage of one minute or more is included in this determination. The starting position is reversed for the second overtime. All points are recorded and the wrestler with the most points at the end of the second tiebreaker or the wrestler gaining a fall, default or DQ is declared the winner. If the score remains tied, the wrestlers go to a second overtime, starting with a one-minute Sudden Victory period. If the score remains tied after the Sudden Victory period, two 30- second tiebreakers will take place with choice going to the wrestler who did not have choice in the first overtime. The tiebreakers are wrestled in their entirety and the winner will be determined the same as at the end of the first overtime. If a tie still exists, time advantage of even one second will determine the winner.