Introduction to Freestyle Wrestling Rules

What is Wrestling?

Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in human history, with roots stretching back to ancient civilizations. Across tribes, villages, and cities worldwide, wrestling has been a symbol of strength, skill, and perseverance.

Since humanity's earliest days, wrestling has been a natural form of physical contest, whether as a recreational activity or a skill for survival in combat. Over time, it evolved into formal styles, with freestyle wrestling emerging as one of the most prominent.

In freestyle wrestling, as in catch wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling, the primary goal is to pin the opponent’s shoulders to the mat, resulting in an instant victory (technical fall). Unlike Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle allows leg attacks and the use of one's legs for both offense and defense.

Match Duration in Freestyle Wrestling

According to international regulations:

• Adults, U23, and Juniors: Matches last 5 minutes.

• Cadets (Teenagers): Matches last 4 minutes.

If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, the match proceeds to a 3-minute overtime period, and the winner is determined based on FILA rules.

Traditional Wrestling Styles Around the World

Many countries have their own traditional wrestling styles. Some notable examples include:

• Glíma (Iceland)

• Schwingen (Switzerland)

• Gourash (Central Asia)

• Sumo and Jiu-Jitsu (Japan)

• Sambo (Russia)

Globally, most countries have adopted the two Olympic styles of wrestling—freestyle and Greco-Roman.

• In Greco-Roman wrestling, grappling below the waist and the use of legs are prohibited.

• In freestyle wrestling, these techniques are allowed.

Both styles are governed by the International Wrestling Federation (FILA).

Freestyle Wrestling Rules and Regulations

Permitted and Prohibited Actions:

• Permitted: Safe holds, controlled throws, and takedowns.

• Prohibited: Moves that endanger the opponent's health, such as choking, kicking, punching, headbutting, or grabbing the singlet.

Violations result in a warning. Accumulating three warnings leads to disqualification. Severe infractions may result in immediate expulsion from the match.

Wrestling Mat Requirements:

Matches must take place on a wrestling mat with a minimum diameter of 9 meters.

Victory Conditions:

1. Technical Victory:

   • A wrestler executing a 5-point move or two 3-point moves within a 2-minute period wins automatically, regardless of the opponent's score.

2. Score Difference:

   • If a wrestler achieves a 6-point lead, the referee may stop the match.

   Note: In the finals, wrestlers will not be asked whether they wish to continue.

3. Technical Fall:

   • If a wrestler successfully pins their opponent’s shoulders to the mat, they win immediately.

4. Tied Score:

   • In case of a tie (1-1, 2-2, 4-4, or 6-6), the wrestler with fewer warnings wins.

   • If warnings are also tied, the wrestler who scored the last point wins.

Fouls and Penalties:

• Escaping the Mat Intentionally: Results in 1 penalty point and a warning.

• Stalling or Avoiding Engagement: Wrestlers showing passivity will first receive a verbal warning. Continued passivity results in 1 penalty point and a warning.

• Feigning Injury: Pretending to be injured incurs 1 penalty point and a warning.

  • Note: Legitimate injuries involving bleeding are treated with appropriate medical rest time without penalties.

• Ignoring Referee Instructions:

  • Ignoring the referee’s orders twice results in 1 penalty point and a warning.

Continuation After Fouls:

• If a wrestler commits a foul while on the ground, the match resumes in the ground position after issuing penalties.

• In all other cases, matches resume in a standing position at the center of the mat.

Time Between Matches:

The rest period between matches has been reduced from 30 minutes to 15 minutes.

Risky Techniques Near the Mat Edge:

• If a wrestler attempts a move near the edge and ends up on the ground outside the mat boundary, they will lose 1 point.

• If the defending wrestler leaves the mat intentionally, they will also lose 1 point.

Winning Scenarios:

1. Pin (Technical Fall): Instant victory.

2. Score Difference: A 6-point lead ends the match.

3. Warnings: Accumulating three warnings results in a loss, regardless of the score.

4. Absence or Injury: The opponent is awarded 5 points, while the absent wrestler gets 0 points.

Final Notes on Techniques:

• Wrestlers can repeatedly use techniques like gut wrench and leg lace throughout the match.

• If a wrestler risks a move and ends up grounded without scoring, they lose no points.

• However, if they risk a move and get grounded outside the mat boundary, they lose 1 point.

• In a ground position, if a defending wrestler escapes the mat without external pressure, they lose 1 point, and the match resumes in a standing position at the center.

Freestyle wrestling is a sport that combines strength, agility, and strategy, with clear rules ensuring fairness, safety, and exciting competition for both athletes and spectators.