scoring

Match Scoring
Wrestlers are awarded points for takedowns, escapes, reversals and near falls. The referee may also award points to a wrestler when an illegal hold has been used by his opponent or when his opponent is stalling. A wrestler wins a match by finishing the match with more points than his opponent or by pinning his opponent, also called a "fall." When a wrestler gains a fifteen point advantage over his opponent the referee stops the match and the winner earns a "technical fall."

Fall or Pin - A fall or pin is awarded when a wrestler holds any part of both of his opponents shoulders (or scapulas) to the mat for two continuous seconds.

Takedown (2 points) - Takedown points are awarded when either wrestler, starting from the neutral (standing) position, gains control of his opponent on the mat.

Escape (1 point) - An escape point is awarded when the defensive wrestler, usually the one on the bottom, moves to a neural position.

Reversal (2 points) - The defensive wrestler is awarded reversal points when he gains control of his opponent without making an escape.

Near Fall (2 or 3 points) - Near fall poins are awarded when one wrestler has control of his opponent in a near pinning position. This occurs when the defensive wrestler's shoulders are held within four inches of the mat or when one shoulder is touching the mat and the other is held at a forty-five degree angle to the mat. If the near fall is held for two consecutive seconds, a two pint near fall is earned; if the near fall is held for five continuous seconds, a three piont near fall is earned.

Overtime - If the match ends in a tie, a one minute overtime period is wrestled. The wrestlers start in the neutral position and the wrestler who scores first wins the match. If neither wrestler scores, a 30 second tiebreaker period is wrestled. In the tiebreaker, whomever scored the first point determines which wrestler starts up and which starts in the down position. If no points have been scored, then a coin is tossed. If the bottom wrestler escapes or reverses his opponent, he wins. If the top wrestler keeps control of his opponent for the thirty seconds, he wins.

Team Scoring
Dual Meets:
Decision (victory by less than eight points)....3 points
Major Decision (victory by 8 - 14 points).......4 points
Technical Fall (fifteen point victory)..............5 points
Fall.........................................................................6 points
6 points are awarded for a forfeit, default or disqualification

Tournament Scoring
Decision...............1/2 point
Major Decision.....1 point
Technical Fall.......1 1/2 points
Fall......................2 points
Additional points are awarded for placements