Wrestling rules for beginners

The goal of a match

Two wrestlers of similar size compete one-on-one on a mat. Many states and programs now offer girls' and women's wrestling as well, and whether girls wrestle in separate divisions or alongside boys varies by program. A wrestler wins by pinning the opponent, by scoring more points by the end of the match, or by one of a few other results such as a forfeit, a disqualification or an injury default. Team scoring is built from the individual results of each bout, so your child's match matters to the team even though wrestling feels like an individual sport.

Folkstyle and other styles

Wrestling has several styles. Folkstyle is the style used in most American high school and college wrestling and in many youth programs (some youth clubs also teach freestyle or Greco-Roman). Freestyle and Greco-Roman are the styles used in international competition and the Olympics, and they score differently. This guide focuses on folkstyle, and details can vary by league, age group and state association, so check the rules your program follows.

How a match is organized

• A match is divided into periods. Standard scholastic matches have three periods, but the number and length of periods varies by league and age group, and many youth programs use shorter ones.
• The first period starts with both wrestlers standing in the neutral position.
• Later periods usually begin in the referee's position, where one wrestler is on top (offense) and the other is on the bottom (defense). The wrestlers are often given a choice of position, so the choice is a small strategy decision.
• Learn more about these starting positions in weight classes and positions explained.

How points are scored

Pins and other ways to win

A pin, also called a fall, happens when a wrestler holds both of the opponent's shoulders to the mat for the required amount of time as judged by the referee. The match ends right away and the pinning wrestler wins. Other ways a match can end early include a technical fall, which happens when one wrestler builds a large enough point lead (the margin depends on the rules in use), and a forfeit or injury default. If the match goes the distance, the wrestler with more points wins. If it is tied, the rules provide for overtime periods to decide it.

Rules of conduct

• Staying in bounds: the action is stopped when wrestlers leave the circle on the mat, and they restart in a safe position.
• Stalling: a wrestler who avoids contact or does not try to wrestle can be warned and eventually penalized.
• Illegal moves: moves that could injure an opponent, such as certain twisting holds, slams or chokes, are not allowed. Coaches teach these early, and referees stop the match when a move is illegal. For more, see penalties and illegal moves explained.
• Sportsmanship: wrestlers shake hands before and after, and the referee raises the winner's hand.

What changes in youth wrestling

Youth programs often adjust rules to keep matches safe and fun. Common differences include shorter periods, restrictions on certain holds, and grouping wrestlers by age and experience. Many beginner events focus on learning rather than the final score. Ask your club or league for its rulebook and, if you can, watch a practice before the first meet. For vocabulary, see wrestling terms for new parents.