When many people think of wrestling there are some specific images that come to mind. If you were born in the 80s, these might include Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. And they might involve being hit over the head with a chair and flashy, shiny costumes. But this is a long way from the worlds of NFHS and NCAA wrestling, which have a complex system of rules and regulations. None of which allow for jumping on your opponent's head. Let’s have a closer look at what the rulebooks say.
What real wrestling looks like
Wresting 101: Basic Rules and Objectives
One of the most noticeable differences between professional and high school/college wrestling is the ring, or lack thereof. There are no ropes to use as the jumping point for a flying dive onto your opponent’s torso. Instead, matches take place on a circular mat. Two wrestlers start on their feet in neutral positions, with no control over their opponents. From hereon in, the aim is to gain control and put your opponent in a vulnerable position on the mat. Every move a wrestler makes is in an effort to score points or prevent their opponent from doing so. So how exactly are points scored?
A wrestling mat
How Do You Score in High School and College Wrestling?
Unlike professional wrestling, where the goal is primarily entertainment, high school matches are all about technical proficiency and point accumulation. And following some changes to the scoring rules, as of the 2024/25 season, the scoring systems are the same for high school and collegiate wrestling. Let's dive into the specifics. Starting with the neutral and referee positions.
What is the Difference between the Neutral Position and the Referee Position?
The neutral position, as mentioned earlier, is where both wrestlers are standing. When one wrestler takes down their opponent and establishes control on the mat, the referee awards a nearfall or takedown (depending on the situation), and the match moves to the referee position, with one wrestler on hands and knees and the other in a controlling position. From here, wrestlers battle for control and reversal opportunities in this position, with scoring continuing until the referee restarts the match from a neutral position.
How are Points Earned?
Wrestling scoring follows a hierarchy, with point values increasing as moves become more dominant. Here's a breakdown, starting with the most basic actions:
Takedown
A takedown is when one opponent takes the other opponent from a neutral position down to the mat with at least one knee or two hands on the mat. The takedown scoring has changed the 2024/25 season. Now, taking your opponent down earns 3 points instead of just 2 points.
Nearfall
The scoring for the 2024/25 season has changed for nearfalls as well. The number of points awarded is contingent on the number of seconds the opponent is held in the vulnerable position on their back.
- 2-Point Nearfall: Maintaining control for two seconds earns 2 points.
- 3-Point Nearfall: Maintaining control for three seconds earns 3 points.
- 4-Point Nearfall: Maintaining control for four seconds earns 4 points.
Escapes
When the bottom wrestler in a nearfall situation escapes the opponent’s control, this earns 1 point.
Reversals
When the bottom wrestler in a nearfall situation reverses the position to gain control on top, this earns 2 points.
How are Points Lost?
You can have great skills as a wrestler, but still lose. How? There are a number of violations for which 1 point might be deducted. So remember, this isn’t the WWF! Play fair. Here’s what not to do to avoid penalty points:
Stalling
Remaining passive or intentionally avoiding action can lead to a penalty point.
False start/illegal starting position
Inconsistent starting positions can lead to a caution, which will be followed by a point deduction for repeat offenses.
Clasping hands behind opponent
This maneuver is illegal and results in a point deduction.
Illegal holds
Techniques that put an opponent in danger or violate specific rules.
Technical violations
Minor rule infractions, like stepping out of bounds, can lead to a point deduction.
More serious violations, like flagrant misconduct, can result in disqualification. In this case, the match is awarded to the opponent.
Referee hand signals for wrestling
How Does Team Scoring Work?
If you’re on a wrestling team, then you most likely compete against other teams. However, the individual points you earn also score you team points. Here’s how it works:
Decision
Winning by a margin of 1 to 7 points earns your team 3 points.
Major decision
Winning with a point margin between 8 and 14 points earns your team 4 points.
Technical fall
Winning while maintaining a lead of 15 points or more throughout the match leads to a technical fall and earns your team 5 points.
Fall/pin
The ultimate dominance – pinning your opponent's shoulders flat on the mat for a continuous count of one second – earns your team 6 points.
Forfeit
If a wrestler fails to appear for the match or cannot continue due to injury or disqualification, their opponent is awarded a forfeit victory and their team receives 6 points.
Injury default or disqualification
Similar to a forfeit, if a wrestler is injured or disqualified during the match, their opponent is awarded 6 points.
What Happens in Overtime?
If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, an overtime period with specific rules is used to determine the winner. The first wrestler to score any points during overtime wins the match.
What Information is on a wrestling scoreboard?
As we’ve seen, there’s a lot of information to keep track of on wrestling. Thankfully it’s not all on the scoreboard. Here’s what you can expect to see:
- Individual wrestler scores: The current point total for each wrestler in the match.
- Team Scores: The cumulative points earned by each team throughout all the individual matches.
- Match Time: The remaining time in the current period and any overtime periods.
How Can You Use KeepTheScore for Wrestling?
KeepTheScore is working on bringing you more scoreboard for all your sporting needs! Although we do not currently offer an official wrestling scoreboard, here’s a workaround can using to create our multisport scoreboard.
- Create a multisport scoreboard by clicking above 👆
- Under Home team and Away team, add the name of your wrestlers.
- Scroll down to Labels and click Timeout.
- Rename the Timeout label to Team. When you scroll back up, you will see an option to add points to Team underneath each player’s name.
- Scroll down further and select Add timer. You can change the duration of your timer here and have it count down or up.
- Make the table your own by adding team logos and colors!
- Take to the mat!
A wrestling scoreboard created on Keepthescore.com
Wrestling scoring is complicated enough. Keeping track of points doesn’t have to be!
Do you have any questions or insights? Share them with us in the comments section! And if you want regular inspiration on how to use KeepTheScore, sign up for our newsletter.
Test Your Knowledge
Are you ready for your next match? Let’s see how well you understood this article! Here are some questions to test your knowledge of what you learned!
Scenario 1. Takedown Technique
A wrestler takes their opponent from a neutral position to the mat, with both hands and one knee touching the mat. What happens next?
Scenario 2. Nearfall Drama
A wrestler holds their opponent in a vulnerable position on their back for three seconds. How many points does the wrestler earn?
Scenario 3. Escape Excellence
The bottom wrestler manages to break free from their opponent's control during a nearfall situation. What happens next?
Scenario 4. Team Match Dominance
Your teammate wins their match by a margin of 12 points. How many points does your team earn?
Scenario 5. Overtime Rules
Two wrestlers are tied at the end of regulation time. In overtime, one wrestler scores an escape. What happens next?
FAQs
What is the difference between the neutral and referee positions in wrestling?
In the neutral position, both wrestlers start on their feet without control over each other. A successful takedown transitions the match into the referee position, where one wrestler is on their hands or at least one knee ( defensive position), and the other is on top, maintaining control (offensive position).
How are points awarded for a nearfall?
The points depend on the duration the opponent is held in a vulnerable position:
- 2 points for holding for 2 seconds.
- 3 points for holding for 3 seconds.
- 4 points for holding for 4 seconds.
What is considered stalling in wrestling?
Stalling refers to intentionally avoiding action or being passive during the match. Wrestlers who stall may receive a warning, followed by penalty points for repeated offenses.
What is a technical fall, and how does it impact team scoring?
A technical fall occurs when a wrestler gains a lead of 15 points or more during the match. It immediately ends the match and earns their team 5 points.
What happens if a wrestling match ends in a tie?
If the score is tied at the end of regulation, the match goes into overtime. The first wrestler to score any points during overtime is declared the winner.
