How to Learn the Rules of Wrestling

Dating back to 708 B.C. Greece, wrestling is the oldest competitive sport. Today it's followed by millions of fans worldwide. Professional wrestling doesn't have hard-and-fast rules, as many matches are rehearsed and the goal is entertainment. But amateur wrestling is truly competitive. Of its five styles--Folkstyle, Sombo, Judo, Freestyle and Greco-Roman--the last three are included in the Olympic Games and are supervised by the International Wrestling Federation (FILA).

Things You'll Need

  • Book on amateur wrestling, such as "The Ultimate Amateur Wrestling Guide" by Edward A. Moore.
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Instructions

    • 1

      Learn the fundamental rules of all styles of amateur wrestling. A competition involves two contestants, each trying to defeat the opponent by forcing his shoulders to touch the floor. All competitions are performed on wrestling mats. A wrestling mat is a circular area of 9 square meters, defined by a boundary about 1 1/2 meters high. International competitions involve three supervisors who monitor the game competition: the chairman, the judge and the referee.

    • 2

      Memorize the scoring rules that apply to amateur wrestling. A contestant can gain points in five ways. A takedown involves gaining control from a neutral position; for a reversal, you gain control from a defensive position. Escape means escaping from the opponent's control. In exposure, you force the opponent's back to the mat, and for lifting, you lift the opponent and expose his back while in defensive position.

    • 3

      Understand the rules by which an amateur wrestling match can be won. A contestant wins by default when both of the opponent's shoulders are pinned on the mat. A win by technical fall happens when a contestant has a 10-point lead over the opponent. A win by decision is necessary when neither opponent achieves a win; the one with the most points is declared as the winner. It's a win by major decision if the scores differ by three points or less. A contestant wins by technical knock when the opponent is knocked out and can't compete.

    • 4

      Distinguish the Olympic style rules. A match consists of a five-minute period. It's completed when a contestant wins, scores a win, achieves a win or scores the most points (see the rules in Step 3). If both wrestlers have no more than three points, they enter a 3-minute overtime period. If neither achieves more than three points, the officials choose the winner.

    • 5

      Realize that there are some special rules for Freestyle wrestling. In this style, a wrestler can carry out attacks to the entire body of his opponent.

    • 6

      Know the rules specific to Greco-Roman wrestling. Wrestlers can only hold the opponent above the waist. Any use of the legs for defense or scoring is forbidden. Using the legs to hold the opponent down is prohibited, as is tripping. Any attempt by Greco-Roman wrestlers to defeat the opponent must be done with the hands.