USA wrestling rulebook Here is what USA Wrestling puts out regarding freestyle and greco rules. There is also a link at the end of the Table of Contents to download the rule book. I highlighted criteria for determining a winner at the end of a bout since there has been some confusion on it. Maybe we can all study up so any future freestyle discussions are more , shall I say, informed
I have included some highlights for us all:
If the point total is equal at the end of a match, the following criteria will determine the winner, in this order:
- Highest value scoring actions (most 5 point actions, most 4 point actions, most 2 point actions)
- Least number of accrued cautions
- Last point scored
- TAKEDOWN: awarded to the wrestler who takes his opponent to the mat with control and the defensive wrestler hit 3 points of contact (head, hands, elbows, and knees). All takedowns are worth two points. To achieve a takedown the offensive wrestler must:
- Pass behind their opponent from a par terre position.
- Take their opponent down to the mat from a standing position and pass behind their opponent's hips.
- Gain control of one or both legs of his or her opponent while that wrestler is on his or her hip or in a sitting position on his or her backside while the plane of the defensive wrestler’s back is less than 90 degrees towards the mat all while the defensive wrestler plants their hand or elbow on the mat.
- Lock up a cradle position while the defensive wrestler does not actively hold the leg of the offensive wrestler. In this case, it is not necessary to pass behind the hips of the defensive wrestler.
- Examples that are not takedowns - if the offensive wrestler spins behind his or her opponent and the defensive wrestler attains a quadpod position, it is not considered a takedown until the defensive wrestler’s head, elbow or knee contact the mat. The “Merkle” position, where one wrestler has his/her leg encircled inside the leg of his or her opponent while in par terre and have the head and arm of their opponent locked at the same time is not considered a takedown in international wrestling because the offensive wrestler has not passed behind the defensive wrestler. The hips of the defensive athlete must be covered for the offensive wrestler to achieve a takedown.
- FLEEING THE MAT: where either wrestler goes out-of-bounds voluntarily and makes no effort to stay in the center wrestling area. This can occur in either standing or par terre wrestling. This is penalized by a caution to the wrestler at fault and one point (F/S) or two points (G/R) to the opponent, assuming the defensive wrestler in not in danger. Restarts following a fleeing the mat call shall start in the position in which the infraction occurred. Video
- SPECIAL SITUATION: IF THE DEFENSIVE WRESTLER FLEES THE MAT WHILE IN THE DANGER POSITION, THE WRESTLER AT FAULT SHALL RECEIVE A CAUTION AND THE OPPONENT SHALL RECEIVE TWO POINTS IN BOTH F/S AND G/R. WRESTLERS SHOULD RESTART IN THE PAR TERRE POSITION.
- FLEEING THE HOLD: where either wrestler is avoiding contact with their opponent to prevent being scored upon. This can occur in either standing or par terre wrestling at any point in a match, but most often occurs when time is running out. Restarts following a fleeing the hold call shall start in the position in which the infraction occurred. Video Recommended Procedure: If the officiating team recognizes fleeing the hold while the athletes are in a standing position, they should stop and give an “attention” to the wrestler at fault assuming there is adequate time left in the period. If the same wrestler continues to flee the hold, then the referee should stop and ask for a caution and 1 point (F/S)
- STEP-OUT: if the attacking wrestler steps out first while in the process of an action, the following situations may occur:
- If the action is completed, the points will be scored as appropriate
- If the action is not completed, the opponent will score one point because the offensive wrestler stepped out-of-bounds first
- If the offensive wrestler has lifted the defensive wrestler and steps out with both feet, the bout shall be stopped and no points will be awarded. If the offensive wrestler has the defensive wrestler lifted off the mat and only steps out with one foot but is in the process of completing the throw, the action should be allowed to continue and scored appropriately. All in all, if the offensive wrestler has the defensive wrestler lifted off the mat and either steps out with both feet or steps out with one foot and is not able to complete their throw or is not doing anything to try to score, the bout shall be stopped, no points shall be awarded and wrestling will restart in the standing position.
Visible pushouts in either style will not be scored. If a wrestler visibly pushes out their opponent (for e.g.-straight arm push-out), they will be given an “attention”. Any subsequent pushouts will not be scored for either athlete. The “pushing” wrestler will NOT be penalized with a caution and points for his or her opponent.
Video - pushing out no points
Passivity
Passivity is a tool that the officiating crew can use to stimulate action from a wrestler who is not actively attempting to score. Passivity can be observed as:
- Evading attacks without counterattacks
- Attacking without direct contact with the opponent
- Faked attacks
- Not able to control center
- Grabbing wrists without starting an attack
- Regaining initial position after beginning an attack
- Evading into and maintaining position within the passivity zone
- Fixing one’s opponent within the passivity zone
- Defensive wrestling
- Wrestling on one’s knees while not in contact with the opponent
- In G/R wrestling, not attempting to “hook” his opponent despite good position
The referee should attempt to stimulate action using proper UWW vocabulary—“open,” “action,” “contact”, “head up,” prior to officially asking for passivity confirmation. See below for style specific passivity guidelines:
Video - FS,
Video - GR
Freestyle Passivity Procedure-FOR ALL AGE GROUPS
1st passivity violation
•Referee signals passivity with an open hand and an outstretched arm and gets confirmation from the mat chairman. To indicate confirmation is received, the referee raises the hand indicating the color of the passive wrestler.
•Stop the match for verbal warning: “Red or blue, attention”. Using one hand in a circular motion, indicate to the passive wrestler to be more active as well as clarify why the wrestler is being passive.
2nd passivity violation
•Stop the match once confirmation from the mat chairman is given and there is no imminent scoring action in progress
•Indicate the 30-second activity period to the passive wrestler using both hands in a circular motion. It is not necessary to give any gestures or verbalize to the coaches that the activity time is started. The referee shall wait until the activity time is clearly indicated on the scoreboard prior to restarting the match.
•If neither wrestler scores at the end of the :30 activity period, one point will be awarded to the active wrestler.
The match shall not be stopped to award this point. No caution will be given for not scoring in the activity period.
•If either wrestler scores, no cautions or additional points are rewarded. The :30 activity clock is ignored and wrestling shall continue without stoppage.
Further passivity violations
•Further activity time periods can be initiated directly—no additional warnings are given after the first verbal warning. The first verbal warning does carry over between periods.
•No activity period shall be given after 2:30 (1:30 in 14U and younger) or 5:30 (3:30 in 14U and younger)
All passivity calls must be confirmed by the mat chairman. It is obligatory that the officiating crew stop the match around 2:00 (1:00 in 14U and younger) and prior to 2:30/1:30 (if a score is in progress at 2:00/1:00) if the score is 0-0, consult, and immediately put a wrestler into a 30-second activity period. The first period in every freestyle match must never end 0-0. The 1st passivity violation (verbal warning) should be denoted as “V” in the match paperwork; all subsequent passivity violations shall be denoted by “P.”
If a wrestler is put on activity time, they must score within the :30 time frame allotted. If he or she starts an action prior to the :30 time frame being completed, he or she will be allowed to finish their action, but if that action does not score by the end of :30, the opposing wrestler will be given one point. The match will not be stopped to award this point. A caution for not scoring in the :30 activity period no longer applies.
It is possible for acts that are deemed to be passive early on in a period, could be considered fleeing the hold if done later in a period, especially with short time on the clock (less than 30 seconds). If the referee wants to warn a wrestler for fleeing the hold, they should stop the match and offer a verbal “attention” to the wrestler at fault as well as to his or her coach. This way, the athletes, coaches, and fans will be able to differentiate when a wrestler is being called for passivity versus fleeing the hold.
If after restarting the match, the actions that lead to the “attention” persist, the referee should stop the bout, signal for a caution to the less active wrestler, and score one point to the opponent.
Greco Roman Passivity Procedure-FOR ALL AGE GROUPS
There are three scenarios in which the refereeing team needs to stimulate a match with a passivity call:
- The score is 0-0 and wrestlers have had adequate time to score in the standing position
- The score is tied and one wrestler is clearly more active.
- One wrestler has the lead and his opponent acts too defensively.
1st passivity violation in a match, regardless of wrestler (given after referee uses UWW vocabulary to stimulate “passive” wrestler):
• Referee signals passivity with an open hand and an outstretched arm and gets confirmation from the mat chairman. Upon confirmation, the referee stops the bout, the active wrestler is awarded one point and given the option to continue wrestling standing or on top in the par terre position.
2nd passivity violation, regardless of wrestler:
• Referee signals passivity with an open hand and an outstretched arm and gets confirmation from the mat chairman. Upon confirmation, the referee stops the bout, the active wrestler is awarded one point and given the option to continue wrestling standing or on top in the par terre position.
3rd and any subsequent passivity violation
• Referee signals passivity with an open hand and an outstretched arm and gets confirmation from the mat chairman. To indicate confirmation is received, the referee raises their hand indicating the passive wrestler and stops the match. The active wrestler is given the choice of resuming wrestling standing or on top in the par terre position. The active wrestler WILL NOT be awarded one point. If a third passivity is given, it should only be given in a lower scoring bout and sufficient time should be left in the second period to allow for enough time for a par terre sequence (approximately one minute left in six minute bout, for example).
If an athlete chooses to restart the match in the standing position after a passivity call against his opponent, this will count as one of the two allotted ordered "par terre" positions in the bout, even though the athletes are not restarting the match in this position. The restriction limiting to only one ordered par terre per period is no longer in effect. Time restrictions for offering passivity have been eliminated. Sufficient time should be offered to the top wrestler when in an ordered par terre position to allow for the development of scoring actions.
*NO FORMAL “VERBAL” WARNING IS GIVEN TO INSTITUTE THE G/R PASSIVITY PROTOCOL IN ANY AGE CATEGORY OTHER THAN THE REFEREE STIMULATING THE WRESTLERS DURING THE COURSE OF THE BOUT.
All passivities shall be denoted by a “P” on the match paperwork.
It is possible for acts that are deemed to be passive early on in a period, could be considered fleeing the hold or negative wrestling (see next section) if done later in a period, especially with short time on the clock (less than 30 seconds). If the referee wants to warn a wrestler for fleeing the hold or negative wrestling, they should stop the match and offer a verbal “attention” to the wrestler at fault. This way, the athletes, coaches, and fans will be able to differentiate when a wrestler is being called for passivity versus fleeing the hold/negative wrestling.
If after restarting the match, the actions that lead to the “attention” persist, the referee should stop the match and signal for a caution for the less active wrestler. Check for confirmation. A caution should be given to the less active wrestler and two points should be awarded to his opponent.
Negative Wrestling
Tactics employed by wrestlers whose only objective is to prevent scoring actions, avoid “open” wrestling or deliberately cause harm to their opponent are considered negative wrestling. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Interlocking fingers
- Blocking the opponent with one’s head, one or two hands to the face, or blocking at the opponent’s chest
- Fleeing the mat or fleeing the hold
- Brutality
Two approaches can be taken by the referee team to penalize a wrestler for negative wrestling:
- The referee stops the match and gives the wrestler an “Attention,” clarifying to them what they need to change. If the negative wrestling persists, the referee should stop the match, ask for a caution, and award one point (F/S) or two points (G/R) to the opponent. The mat chairman must confirm this call to be valid.
- If the negative wrestling prevents an active scoring action or is considered beyond fair play (i.e. brutality), the referee can ask for a caution and one point (F/S) or two points (G/R) immediately without a formal “Attention.” The mat chairman must confirm this call to be valid.
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