• A wrestling match consists of three periods, each lasting 2 minutes.
• Matches typically have no rest periods or timeouts, unless there is an injury, blood time, or an official stoppage.
• Matches take place on a wrestling mat featuring a 28-foot circle where all action must stay in bounds.
• Wrestlers wear:
  • Wrestling shoes for traction and safety
  • Protective headgear to protect the ears
  • A singlet, which is the standard competition uniform; some exceptions are allowed
• Each match has at least one referee. For special matches, such as championships or tournaments, two referees may be used.
• Each wrestler is assigned a color—red or green—to help officials track scoring. Wrestlers wear a colored ankle band matching their assigned color.
• One or two coaches per wrestler are positioned in the corner of the mat and may actively coach their wrestler during the match.
• A scoring table is typically located at the top of the mat and includes a scoreboard that displays the match timer and current scores.

There are 4 ways to win/end a match in High School Folkstyle Wrestling:

1. Fall (aka Pin) – This occurs when a wrestler holds both of the opponents shoulders blades on the mat simultaneously for two seconds. The pinning wrestler must be in control and have their opponent in a near fall position. A fall ends the match immediately, regardless of the score or time remaining.
   
   
2. Technical Superiority (aka Tech Fall, Tech) – This occurs when a wrestler leads their opponent by 15 points or more at any point during the match. Once this happens, the match ends immediately, regardless of the remaining time.
   
   
3. Decision – This occurs after match time has elapsed and the wrestler with the most points wins. If a wrestler is 8 or more points ahead, this can be referred to as a Major Decision.
   
   
4. Injury/Disqualification/Forfeit/Withdrawal – A wrestler can win if their opponent is unable to continue due to too many rule violations, forfeiture, injury, withdrawal, etc.
   
   

There are no ties/draws in a wrestling match, there is always a winner. If the score is tied at the end of the 3 periods, a 1-minute overtime period will start that is sudden-victory, meaning the first to score the next point wins. If the match is still tied, there are two 30-second overtime periods with each wrestler alternating between top/bottom position. It is uncommon for a tie after this point but there are additional overtime rules in the event of a further tie.

In Folkstyle wrestling, a wrestler’s position on the mat determines how points are scored. There are three main positions:

1. Neutral

• Both wrestlers are standing and neither has control.
• Wrestlers attempt takedowns to gain control and score points. A takedown is typically forcing one wrestler to the mat while maintaining control of that wrestler. Control is key.
• A successful takedown awards the wrestler 4 points.
• After a takedown, the wrestlers are now in the top/bottom positions described below.

2. Offense (Top)

• One wrestler is controlling the opponent on the mat. The controlling wrestler is considered “on top”. The other wrestler is in the defensive “on bottom” position (described below).
• The goal for the top wrestler is to turn and hold the bottom wrestler on their back to earn near-fall points. These are the only points the top wrestler can score in this position.
• Near-Fall Points (aka Back Points) can earn 2 to 4 points depending how long the top wrestler holds the bottom wrestler on their back, between 2 to 4 seconds.
• The top wrestler can also pin the bottom wrestler in this position, immediately winning the match.

3. Defense (Bottom)

• When one wrestler is in control and “on top” (described above), the other wrestler is always considered on defense or “on bottom”.
• The bottom wrestler can only score points by escaping or reversing.
• To escape, the bottom wrestler simply gets out of control of the top wrestler and breaks free, typically by standing up. Escapes earn 1 point. Once an escape occurs, the wrestlers return to a neutral position. The top wrestler will sometimes intentionally let the bottom wrestler up giving them an escape point, however, this is strategic and allows the top wrestler to attempt another takedown for 4 points.
• To reverse, the bottom wrestler takes control of the top wrestler without first escaping. Reversals earn 2 points. Once a reversal occurs, the wrestlers have switched top and bottom positions.

Notes

• The first period in a match is started in the neutral position.
• At the start of the second period, the referee flips a coin to determine which wrestler will decide the starting position of the second period. The wrestler can choose neutral, top, bottom, or defer the choice to the other wrestler.
• The third period gives the other wrestler the opportunity to choose the starting position.
• There are many strategic reasons on what position to choose or to defer.
• When starting or restarting in the down position, wrestlers use what’s call the Referee’s Position.
• Penalties for technical violations are 1 point awarded to the other wrestler.
  

While there are many technical rules in high school wrestling, there are some general concepts that are important to know:

• Matches take place on a 28-foot circle; if wrestlers step outside the circle, the referee stops the match and restarts in the center.
• Wrestlers must keep headgear on.
• Wrestlers cannot leave the mat without permission.

Legal Moves

• Takedowns – Bringing an opponent to the mat and gaining control.
• Escapes – Getting out from underneath an opponent.
• Reversals – Turning from a defensive to an offensive position.
• Turns / Near-Falls – Exposing an opponent’s back to the mat.
  

Illegal Moves

• Dangerous Holds – Moves that can injure the neck, spine, or joints, such as: Full nelsons, Chokeholds, any pressure that twists or locks the neck in a dangerous way.
• Slams and Throws – Intentionally slamming an opponent on their head, neck, or back. Throwing an opponent dangerously from a standing position onto the mat.
• Striking, Punching, or Kicking – Punching, kicking, or hitting the opponent in any way. Elbowing, scratching, or clawing.
• Grabbing Illegal Areas – Clothing, fingers, toes, hair, or headgear.
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct – Taunting or arguing with the referee, refusing to wrestle, stalling, or intentionally avoiding action.
• Referees prioritize safety over competition and referees may penalize or disqualify a wrestler for illegal moves.
  

• What – Dual meets are team vs team competitions in which Rocky Hill will face another school. Tri and Quad meets are less common but are the same format and will include 1 or 2 additional schools respectively were each school’s team will face each team one at a time.
  
  
• When – These typically occur during the week, mostly on Wednesdays. The types of meets are the shortest.
  
  
• Number of Wrestlers – Each team will put up only 14 wrestlers, one from each weight class. That’s it!
  
  After the meet is complete and all 14 matches are done, there may some JV matches to give experience to wrestlers who did not compete in the dual.
  
  
• Format/Winning – To win a dual meet, the team with the most team points win. A team earns 3-6 points for each of the 14 matches depending how each match is won. Only the team that wins a match is awarded team points. The amount of team points earned per match is:
  
  
  • Fall (aka Pin) – 6 Team Points
  • Forfeit – 6 Team Points
  • Technical Fall (match won 15+ points) – 5 Team Points
  • Major Decision (match won by 8-14 points) – 4 Team Points
  • Minor Decision (match won by fewer than 8 points) – 3 Team Points

Having a full roster of wrestlers in every weight class is important for winning dual meets. Teams will forfeit any weight class that is not filled, giving the other team an automatic 6 points. This is why it is important that wrestlers stay healthy, attend all practices, and maintain good grades so they compete in the meets.

• What – Tournaments are individual events that give each wrestler an opportunity to put their skills to the test. Tournaments will include many schools but typically no more than a dozen or so.
  
  
• When – These are typically the competitions that occur during the weekend, mostly on Saturdays and will last most of the day. Some tournaments can even last multiple days.
  
  
• Number of Wrestlers – All wrestlers are typically able to compete if they make their weight class. This is different from a Dual/Tri/Quad meet which only allows one wrestler per weight class per team.
  
  
• Format/Winning – Tournaments brackets can vary but they are almost always a double-elimination bracket. What do the brackets look like?
  
  
  • Championship Bracket
    • Each weight class in a tournament has a bracket usually with 16–32 wrestlers (sometimes more or less).
    • Wrestlers compete in rounds, and the winner of each match advances to the next round.
    • This main bracket is usually called the Winners Bracket or Championship Bracket.
    • The bracket continues until 1st and 2nd place are determined.
      
      
  • Consolation Bracket
    • If a wrestler loses a match in the Winner’s Bracket, they move to the Consolation Bracket (often called “Consi” or Losers Bracket).
    • The Consolation Bracket continues until 3rd place (and sometimes 4th or 5th place) is determined.
    • This ensures that each wrestler gets to wrestle at least twice, as a wrestler must lose twice to be eliminated from the tournament entirely.

High School wrestling in Connecticut is governed by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) who determines weight classes and the rules. The CIAC currently uses the 14 weight classes set by the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations):

A wrestler cannot generally exceed the weight listed in the class. For example, a wrestler weighing 146 lbs would wrestle in the 150 lb weight class.

It’s important to note that wrestlers are typically given weight allowances of 1-2 lbs during the season for natural growth and during multi-day tournaments. The coaching staff will let the wrestlers know where they stand in regards to weight class and weight allowances allowed.

• Weigh-Ins – Wrestlers will weigh in before every tournament or match, typically on the morning of the competition, to ensure they are under or at their weight class max weight. There are no exceptions to this and wrestlers who do not meet weight will not compete. Quick note, the scales used for weigh-ins are much more accurate and consistent than most home scales. We have found our home scale to be several pounds off from these scales at times.
  
  
• Weight Certification – At the start of the season, all wrestlers will conduct a weight certification that tests body fat and hydration to determine the lowest allowed weight class they can wrestle in for the season. This is a very rigid system in CT that is designed for athlete safety. The certification is conducted by the school’s trainer (not coaches) and any allowable exceptions require physician approval. This certification CANNOT be changed for the season.
  
  
• Determining Weight Class – The coaches will work with wrestlers based on a combination of skill, experience, team needs, and weight (obviously) on which weight class a wrestler will compete in.
  
  Even if a wrestler meets their target weight class, coaches may choose not to allow a wrestler to compete in a specific match if safety is a concern, for example, an inexperienced freshman wrestling an older senior with 3+ years of experience.
  
  Coaches may allow more experienced or skilled wrestlers to compete in a heavier weight class, if safe. Competing in a heavier weight class is typically a disadvantage for a wrestler so this is a limited occurrence.
  
  Wrestler safety is always paramount in every decision. Coaches, trainers, and refs monitor matches closely to prevent and stop any potentially dangerous wrestling that could lead to injury.
  
  
• Weight Loss – Wrestlers are allowed to lose weight throughout the season but are limited to 1.5% of body weight loss per week down to their allowed certified minimum weight set at the beginning of the season. However, this must be done in conjunction with the coaches to effectively manage the team roster and help ensure athlete safety. Do not attempt any sort of drastic weight loss during the season. Not only could this be dangerous, you may not be able to wrestle due to the strict weight rules.

Currently in CT, girls do not have a distinct division during the normal wrestling season. Therefore, high school wrestling in CT is co-ed where boys and girls compete together in the same weight classes.

However, there are several opportunities throughout the season for the girls to participate in girls-only tournaments including our very own tournament hosted at Rocky Hill called “Queen of the Hill”. Our 2025 tournament had a fantastic turnout with over 150 girls from 42 different schools!

The girl’s tournaments will often have augmented weight classes that can differ from the co-ed weight classes above.

The CT State Open Tournament and the New England Championships have separate girls’ tournaments at the end of the season.