The Sport of Wresting

Wrestling has existed as a sport since before the beginning of civilization. Every culture on earth has developed some form of wrestling and has done so without knowledge or influence from neighbouring cultures. Many countries today still maintain their own folk style of wrestling. However, all countries compete under a set of common rules set by the United World Wrestling (UWW).

Currently, UWW governs Free Style Wrestling and Greco-Roman Style. Both Free Style and Greco-Roman Wrestling are held at the Olympic Games. High school students compete in Free Style Wrestling only.

Free Style Wrestling is enjoyed by boys and girls as young as eight years of age through to college or university and beyond. Many students learn to wrestle at their schools in their physical education classes or at their school wrestling team. It is our hope that boys and girls in your school will take advantage of this programme and learn to enjoy this sport.

Basic Rules of Wrestling

A wrestling match under the UWW rules will consist of a maximum of 2 three-minute rounds. However, in high school, a wrestling match consists of a maximum of 2 two-minute rounds. During the match, each wrestler will try to win the match by either pinning his or her opponent's shoulders to the mat or by out scoring his or her opponent. There are no submission holds permitted in wrestling. A wrestler cannot apply a hold that can cause pain or injury.

Scoring Points in a Match

A wrestler can score points by taking control of his or her opponent.

Takedown, 2 point
When a wrestler takes his or her opponent down to the mat with control the wrestler will score two points. This is called a takedown.

Takedown to Danger Position, 4 points
A wrestler can also score four points by taking his or her opponent down to the mat directly into a position of danger or by throwing his or her opponent into a position of danger.

Reversal, 1 point
If a wrestler has been taken down and is able to fight from the bottom position to a controlling position on top, then that wrestler will score one point. This is called a reversal.

A wrestler can also score points by exposing his or her opponent's back to the mat.

Danger Position, 2 points
If a wrestler is turned so that his or her back is exposed to the mat, then the aggressive wrestler will score two points. This is called a danger position.

Other Methods of Scoring

Out of Bounds
A wrestler can score a point by driving his or her opponent out of bounds. This can only be done if the wrestlers are on their feet and not down on their knees on the mat also called par terre. The wrestler cannot carry or push with straight arms his or her opponent out of bounds.

Cautions
In addition to technical scoring, a wrestler can be awarded points as a result of cautions. A caution is assigned to a wrestler if that wrestler commits a violation by performing an illegal hold or by avoiding activity. If you are wrestling, you cannot defend a lead by fleeing your opponent. If a wrestler is assigned a caution, then the opponent will receive a point.

If a round is scoreless with one minute remaining in the first round, the referee will determine which wrestler was less aggressive. This wrestler will be warned and will be required to score in the remaining 30 seconds. If the wrestler who was warned does not score in that time, or if the opponent does not score, then the wrestler who was warned will receive a caution and the opponent will receive one point.

Winning a Wrestling Match

Win by Pin
The ultimate goal of wrestling is to pin your opponent's shoulders to the mat. If a wrestler secures his or her opponent's shoulders (the scapulas or shoulder blades) to the mat with control, then that wrestler will win the match. In this case, it does not matter what the score was. This can at times occur in the first few seconds of the first round.

Win by Decision
If no wrestler is pinned during the match then the wrestler who scores the most points over two rounds wins the match.

Win by Technical Superiority
A wrestler can also win a match by technical superiority.
If a wrestler has a ten or more point advantage over his or her opponent then the wrestler will win the match on technical superiority.

Win by Disqualification
If three cautions are assigned against a wrestler during a match, then the opponent will win the match by disqualification.

Weight Classes for Ontario High Schools

There are 16 weight classes for boys:
38kg 41kg 44kg 47.5kg 51kg 54kg 57.5kg 61kg 64kg 67.5kg 72kg 77kg 83kg 89kg 95kg 130kg

There are 16 weight classes for girls:
38kg 41kg 44kg 47.5kg 51kg 54kg 57.5kg 61kg 64kg 67.5kg 72kg 77kg 83kg 89kg 95kg 115kg

To convert pounds to kilograms divide your weight in pounds by 2.2.