How to Make a Wrestling Ring

Wrestling can be as theatrical as it is athletic. Underneath all of that theater, however, is the wrestling ring that withstands hours of muscle-bound abuse on a regular basis. But for those enthusiasts who want to bring the joy of wrestling off the screen and into their own backyards, there are some specific rules and regulations that they would be well-advised to follow.

Instructions

    • 1

      Measure out the size of your ring. Most wrestling rings measure from 14 to 18 feet square. Ensure that you have enough room for the ropes: the ring should extend a foot beyond the ropes on all sides. Lay your stage, out of wooden planks, and on an elevated platform. This elevation allows the floor to provide some give during the match, in conjunction with a coil spring system often located beneath the ring.

    • 2

      Set your ring posts, at each corner of the ring. The ring posts should be strong enough--typically made of steel and at least 3 inches in width--to maintain the tension of the ropes. The posts extend to the floor for increased stability. Hang the "apron," the flap which conceals the space and equipment that sits underneath the ring, in-between the posts.

    • 3

      String the ropes, three of them (as opposed to four, in boxing), evenly spaced for the height of the 3-foot ring posts. Don't tie the ropes into the posts, but rather into turnbuckles that stand at least 18 inches away from the post when fully taut. Cover the turnbuckles with a pad at least 6-inches wide. The ropes should be at least 1 inch in diameter, and wrapped in clean, soft material.

    • 4

      Pad the floor with an inch-thick layer (or more) of foam padding. Over that, stretch a length of vinyl or canvas that covers the entire ring and over the edge. Clean the floor regularly of any grit and dirt, and quickly dry off any moisture. Modern wrestling rings are also built with a flexibeam system, which provides more bounce than the old-fashioned coil spring (also known as the "breakdown style").

    • 5

      Protect the spectators. Position first-row seats at least 6 feet away from the edge of the ring. Erect barricades between the spectators and the ring, and either provide dedicated entry lanes for the wrestlers, or escort them into the ring directly.