Youth Wrestling Rules & Points
Both high school and youth (pee wee) wrestling follow the folk style or collegiate wrestling rules. The object of a wrestling match is simple, to pin (put your opponent on their back with both shoulder blades touching the mat for 2 seconds) or if a wrestling is unable to pin their opponent, the wrestler that has the most points at the end of 3 periods, wins. Most youth (pee-wee) matches consist of 3, 1 minute periods whereas high school wrestling is 3, 2 minutes matches.
The wrestling that is in control is referred to as the offensive wrestler, and the wrestler that is down or on the bottom is referred to as the defensive wrestler.
Wrestlers are matched up based on weight, or grade and weight. Before a match begins, each wrestler is given a different colored band to go around their ankle which will match the colors worn on each wrist by the referee, this is how the referee will show points scored to the scorekeepers at the table.
The match will begin with both wrestlers in neutral position (both standing) and the referee will blow a whistle or say “wrestle” to start the match as wrestlers will then try to score a take down. Points are scored in the 5 following ways:
Takedown: to be in control of your opponent by taking them down to the mat from neutral (standing) position. Wrestlers will usually try to take their opponent down by the legs or sometimes a throw. A takedown is 2 points. There are several takedown maneuvers including: single leg, double leg, and fireman’s carry are a few examples.
Near Fall: also known as back points, is when a wrestler almost pins their opponent by holding them on their back with shoulders 4″ from the mat for 2 – 5 seconds, but the wrestler is not pinned. Holding them to the mat for 2 seconds results in 2 points, holding them to the mat for 5 seconds results in 3 points.
There are different ways to get a Near Fall: a) the offensive wrestler holds both of his opponent’s shoulders down 4” from the mat for 2 seconds; b) the offensive wrestler pins one of his opponent’s shoulders down while the other maintains a 45 degree angle; c) the offensive wrestler causes the defensive wrestler to bridge and d) the defensive wrestler leans back on his elbows.
Fall or “pin”: a wrestler holds their opponent’s shoulder blades to the mat for 3 seconds. If this is accomplished the wrestler wins the match.
Reversal: When a defensive wrestler is able to reverse control and become the wrestler in control or on top, he will be awarded a “reversal” for 2 points. A reversal can be achieved when both wrestlers are either on the mat or on their feet.
Escape: A wrestler will receive 1 point when he escapes from the wrestler in control and goes to neutral position. For instance, the wrestler on the bottom (defensive wrestler) “escapes” and causes his opponent to lose control.
Technical Fall: A wrestler can also win a match by “technical fall” by having 15 points over his opponent at any time during a match.
Penalty Points: A wrestler will get penalty points when his opponent commits certain violations like illegal moves, grabbing headgear, stepping off the mat on purpose, unnecessary roughness, etc.
For the first 2 violations a wrestler will receive 1 point, and getting a third penalty awards the wrestler 2 points. If there is a fourth penalty from their opponent, the wrestler will win the match.
Illegal Moves:
You may be disqualified from a match for biting, pinching, gouging, or intentionally scratching, choking or hitting your opponent.
Wrestlers are also not allowed to perform a full-nelson, in which both arms are under the opponents arms and both hands are behind his head or neck.
Here is a video with an overview of the rules of wrestling:
