Wrestling - The Rules
In wrestling, a pin (or a fall) is when you bring down your opponent on his/her back with any part of both shoulders or both shoulder blades. Your opponent’s back or any body part said above should stay in contact with the mat for at least two seconds.
If nobody gets pinned, the wrestler who scored the most points during the match is declared as a winner. Let us see the rules regarding points and illegal actions on the mat −
Wrestling – Weightage of Points
There are multiple ways you can score points of the following weightage in a wrestling match legally −
Wrestling Rules Regarding Illegal Holds
The referee can penalize you for −
Grabbing the singlet, the mat, or the headgear.
Locked or overlapped hands: If you are down on the mat in control of your opponent, you cannot lock or overlap your hands, fingers or arms around your opponent's body or both legs unless −
You have fulfilled the criteria for a near pin of your opponent.
Your opponent stands up and has all his/her weight on two feet.
You have lifted the opponent off the mat.
Wrestling Rules Regarding Technical Violations
The referee can penalize on the violation of the following rules −
Going off the mat or forcing your opponent off the mat to avoid wrestling.
Leaving the mat during the match without the referee's permission.
Reporting to the mat not properly equipped or not ready to wrestle, or with the illegal equipment at the time of starting the match.
Bringing roughness in the game unnecessarily.
Conducting oneself indecently or unsportsmanlike.
Incorrect starting position or false start
The first and second time you are penalized, your opponent is awarded one point. The third time you are penalized, your opponent is awarded two points. The fourth time you are penalized, you are disqualified.
The rules for various wrestling styles in the Olympics and international championships are different.
