Wrestling rules vary by style. Folkstyle (US high school and college) rewards control, with points for takedowns, escapes, reversals and near falls. Freestyle and Greco-Roman (international and Olympic) reward takedowns, exposure and throws, and Greco-Roman bans attacks below the waist. In every style, a pin ends the match.
Rules by style
| Rule | Folkstyle / Freestyle / Greco |
|---|---|
| Where | US school and college / worldwide and Olympics / worldwide and Olympics |
| Match length | 6 to 7 min / 2 x 3 min / 2 x 3 min |
| Leg attacks | Allowed / allowed / not allowed |
| Escape points | Yes / no / no |
| Technical win | 15-point lead / 10-point lead / 8-point lead |
Illegal holds and penalties
- Full nelson, slams and twisting holds that endanger joints.
- Striking, biting, hair pulling and other unsportsmanlike acts.
- Stalling or passivity leads to warnings and penalty points.
- Potentially dangerous holds stop the match.
- Repeated fouls can lead to disqualification.
Rules reference: NFHS Wrestling Rules Book (US high school), NCAA Wrestling Rules (US college) and United World Wrestling rules (freestyle and Greco-Roman). Scoring values differ between these codes.
Frequently asked questions
How many weight classes are there?
It depends on the level; high school typically uses 14, college 10, and international senior events 10 per style.
What is stalling?
Avoiding wrestling or failing to attack, which is penalised.
What is a potentially dangerous hold?
A hold that could injure the opponent if continued; the referee stops the match.
