Wrestling Tournament Rules

Wrestling tournaments determine the best performers based upon several matches against different opponents. These tournaments follow the same rules of wrestling but add elimination brackets to pair wrestlers for a succession of match. The winner of each match moves on toward the finals, while losers are eliminated or compete for consolation titles.

  1. Weight Class

    • Each wrestler competing in a tournament must fall into the same weight class as the other wrestlers in his bracket. Weight classes are determined before the event by a weigh-in conducted by an official from the tournament. A wrestler cannot exceed the maximum weight in his class. For example, if the weight class is 130 pounds, the wrestler must be 130 pounds or fewer. If the preceding weight class is 125 pounds, the wrestler moves into that class if his weight is below the 125. If he weighs more than 130 pounds, he moves into a heavier class.

    Brackets

    • Wrestlers are seeded onto a bracket for the tournament. The process of seeding pairs the highest-ranked wrestlers against the lowest ranked. Brackets are set up to include four, eight, 16, 32 or 64 wrestlers. For example, if there are four wrestlers: Jonathan, Matthew, Chris and Cory, the first match would be against Jonathan and Matthew while the second match will be against Chris and Cory. The winner of each match meet to determine a champion and second place. The losing wrestlers enter the consolation bracket and compete for third place.

    Byes

    • When a particular weight class lacks the requisite number for the tournament---only 14 wrestlers in a competition designed for 16---a bye comes into play. A bye is placed onto an empty space on the bracket and the wrestler against the bye automatically proceeds to the next match in the bracket. For example, if Jonathan has a bye in his match, he moves on. Byes are usually placed at random; if more than one bye is necessary, tournament organizers spread them throughout the bracket to prevent one wrestler from progressing to the finals without actually competing in a single match.

    Match Flow

    • A wrestling match in a tournament is six minutes in length. Each match is broken up into three two-minute periods. The wrestlers stand across from each other (a "neutral" position) in an inner-circle within a circled wrestling mat to start the first period. A coin toss determines second period's position which is chosen by the winner of a coin toss. The third period's position is chosen by the loser of the second period coin toss. Positions that can be chosen include neutral and referee's position. In the referee's position, one wrestler, dictated by the coin toss, begins in the center of the mat with his hands and knees on the mat, this is known as the "bottom" position. The other wrestler is in the "top" position behind him with both of his hands placed on the "bottom" wrestler's back.

    Pin

    • During the match, the goal of each wrestler is to pin his opponent. A pin is awarded when one wrestler has positioned his opponent so that both shoulders or shoulder blades are touching the mat for two or more seconds. The pinning wrestler wins the match.

    Points

    • If a pin does not determine the match, the winner is the wrestler who has the most points when time expires. Performing a takedown, or bringing your opponent to the mat and gaining control, is worth two points, escaping from a takedown and returning to the neutral position is worth one point. Reversing a takedown and gaining control of your opponent is worth two points. Performing a near fall in which your opponent's shoulders are held within four inches of the mat, on shoulder is on the mat and the other is within a 45 degree angle of the mat or when both elbows are on the mat is worth between two and three points depending on how long the near fall lasts. A near fall for two seconds is worth two points, a near fall for five seconds is worth three points.

    Penalties

    • Violating a rule during the match results in one or two points awarded to your opponent, depending on how many rules you have broken. If you break the rules once or twice, your opponent receives one point for each infraction. Breaking the rules three times gives your opponent two points. A fourth infraction results in an automatic disqualification. Moves that are penalized include illegal holds, technical violations such as grabbing headgear or leaving the mat, unsportsmanlike conduct, unnecessary roughness and stalling. Being cited for flagrant misconduct, which can be the result of biting, punching or kicking your opponent, results in immediate disqualification.