Wrestling, like all other sports, obeys Rules which constitute the "Rules of the Game" and define its practice, the aim of which is to "pin" the opponent or to win on points.

These regulations apply to all the styles recognised by modern wrestling controlled by the FILA.

The Greco-Roman Style and the Free Style basically differ as follows:

In Greco-Roman Wrestling, it is strictly forbidden to grasp the opponent below the belt line, or to trip him or to use the legs actively to perform any action.

In Free Style wrestling, however, it is permissible to grasp the legs of the opponent, to trip him and to use the legs actively to perform any action.

Double Nelsons are strictly forbidden in women's wrestling.

Beach wrestling is dealt with by a specific rule.

Traditional wrestling, as practised world wide, are subject to specific rules.

Frequently modified and always subject to further modification, the Rules set forth herein must be known and accepted by all wrestlers, coaches, referees and leaders.

They call upon those who practise the sport to fight totally and universally, with complete honesty and fair play for the pleasure of the spectators.

Weigh-in

The weigh-in for each category always takes place on the day before the beginning of the competition concerned and lasts 30 minutes.

No wrestler may be accepted at the weigh-in if he has not undergone medical examination within the period set up in the competition regulations. Medical examinations are always carried out one (1) hour before the weigh-in.

Wrestlers must turn up at the Medical examination and the weigh-in with their licence and passport.

The contestants will be weighed with only their singlet, after having been examined by qualified physicians who are obliged to eliminate any wrestler who presents any danger of contagious disease.

The judge

The judge is responsible for all the duties stipulated in the general Rules of wrestling.

He must follow the course of the bout very closely without allowing himself to be distracted in any way; he must award points for each action, and mark them on his score sheet, in agreement with the referee or mat chairman. He must give his opinion in all situations.

Following each action, and on the basis of the referee's indications (which he compares with his own evaluation) or, failing this, on the basis of the mat chairman's indications, he records the number of points awarded to the action in question, and enters the results on a scoreboard placed beside him. This scoreboard must be visible to both the spectators and wrestlers.

The judge verifies and signals the fall (TOUCHE) to the referee。

If, during the bout, the judge notices something that he feels he should bring to the referee's attention because the latter was not able to see it or did not notice it (a fall, illegal hold, passive position, etc.), the judge is obliged to do so by raising the bat of the same colour as the singlet of the wrestler in question, even if the referee has not asked for his opinion.

In all circumstances, the judge must call the referee's attention to anything that seems to him abnormal or irregular in the course of the bout or in the conduct of the wrestlers.

For all the competitions on the score/time boards, the timing will start from 0 to 2 minutes. A light of the same colour as the wrestler concerned must indicate the winner of each period, and the result of each period must remain indicated.

The duration of the bouts is set as follows:

For schoolboys, cadets, juniors and seniors : three periods of two minutes.

At the end of each period, a wrestler is declared the winner. The wrestler winning two periods, is declared the match winner. If the victory can be proclaimed after two periods, the third period is withdrawn.

The fall stops automatically the match whatever the period. In the exceptional case where the period ends 0-0 in Free Style, an ordered hold will be applied at the end of the regular time. The ordered hold lasts maximum 30 seconds.

Types of victories

A bout may be won by:

a) a "fall"

b) by injury, withdrawal, default, disqualification of the opponent.

c) by technical superiority

d) by points (winning two periods by 1 to 5 points difference)

If the wrestler executes a «grande amplitude» 5 points hold, he will be declared the winner of the period whatever the score.

If the wrestler executes 2 holds of 3 points in the period, he will be declared the winner of the period whatever the score.

The fall

When the defensive wrestler is held by his opponent with his two shoulders against the mat for a sufficient time to allow the referee to observe the total control of the fall, the resulting manoeuvre is considered to be a fall. For a fall at the edge of the mat to be recognised, the opponent's shoulders must be completely in the red zone and the head must not touch the protection area.

A fall in the protection area is not valid.

If the wrestler is pinned on both shoulders as a consequence of a rule infringement or an illegal hold for which he is responsible, the fall will be considered valid for his opponent.

The fall observed by the referee will be valid if the judge or mat chairman indicates his agreement. If the referee does not indicate the fall, and if the fall is valid, it may be announced with the consent of the judge and mat chairman.

Consequently, to be observed and recognised, the fall must be clearly maintained. The two shoulders of the wrestler in question must be simultaneously touching the mat during the short period of stoppage specified in the first paragraph, even in the case of a standing rear body lock and lift. In all cases, the referee will strike the mat only after he has obtained confirmation from the judge or, failing this, from the mat chairman. The referee will then blow his whistle in order to end the bout.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

If at the end of the 1st minute, a wrestler is placed in a danger fall position, the referee will not stop the match; and the two 30 second mandatory par terre position will be eliminated.

If at the end of the 1 min. and 30 sec., a wrestler is placed in a danger fall position, the referee will not stop the match and the 2nd mandatory 30 second par terre position will also be eliminated.

If the top wrestler refuses to apply the ordered hold, the referee will strongly warn him first by using the word attention. If the wrestler doesn't obey the referee, 1 point will be awarded to his opponent. He will then lose the right to place his opponent in the ordered hold par terre position and wrestling will continue in a standing position for the last 30 seconds.

(BOCOG)