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II. Scoring & Situational Definitions
Control (The Core Concept)
Control is established when a wrestler exercises restraining power over an opponent. It is the basis for Takedowns, Reversals, and Escapes (loss of control).
Knowledge Check
What is "control" in wrestling?
Answer (flip to read):
Control is when a wrestler exercises restraining power over an opponent. It's the basis for scoring takedowns, reversals, and escapes.
New Rule (2024-25): One Point of Contact
You only need one point of contact (hand, knee, foot) inside the boundary line to be considered "inbounds" and capable of scoring or maintaining control.
Scenario: Wrestler A has Wrestler B in a single leg. They are near the edge. Wrestler A lifts Wrestler B. As long as ONE of Wrestler A's feet (or knees) remains in the circle (or on the line), wrestling continues.
Scenario: Edge-of-Mat Takedown
Green wrestler shoots a double leg near the boundary. As they complete the takedown, Green's left foot is completely out of bounds, but their right knee is touching the boundary line. Red wrestler's back hits the mat with both wrestlers' torsos outside the circle.
Call: Takedown - 3 points Green! Under the new one-point-of-contact rule, Green's right knee on the line is sufficient. The attacking wrestler only needs one supporting point in bounds to score. Wrestling continues from the center in referee's position.
Knowledge Check
Under the 2024-25 rules, how many points of contact must be in bounds to score or maintain control?
Answer (flip to read):
Only ONE point of contact (hand, knee, or foot) inside the boundary line (or on the line).
Scoring Situations
3 Points Takedown NEW (Increased from 2)
Awarded when a wrestler, from a neutral position, gains control of the opponent on the mat. The increase rewards offensive action and risk-taking.
- Criteria: Control must be established beyond reaction time. The supporting points of either wrestler must be in bounds.
Scenario: Is This a Takedown?
Green shoots a single leg and elevates Red's leg high. Red is hopping on one foot, off-balance. Green is working to finish but Red hasn't touched the mat yet. Red reaches down and grabs Green's ankle, and both wrestlers tumble to the mat at the same time in a scramble.
Analysis: For a takedown, you need control "on the mat" beyond reaction time. If they hit the mat simultaneously in a scramble with no clear control, this is likely neutral - no score. Let them wrestle. If Green clearly controlled Red as they went down, award 3 points. The key is: who had restraining power when they hit the mat?
What Would You Call?
From neutral, Green executes a perfect fireman's carry. Red hits the mat and Green immediately transitions to a half nelson, putting Red directly on their back. Green's shoulders are 2 inches from the mat for about 1.5 seconds before Red bridges out.
Answer (flip to read):
3 points for the takedown only. The near fall criteria requires 2 full seconds - 1.5 seconds is not enough for back points. Continue wrestling.
2 Points Reversal
Established when the defensive wrestler comes from underneath and gains control of the opponent, either on the mat or standing.
Scenario: Bottom wrestler hits a switch, hips over, and ends up on top of the opponent, controlling their hips.
Scenario: Reversal vs. Escape + Takedown
Red is on bottom in referee's position. Red executes a stand-up, and Green loses their grip around Red's waist. Red turns to face Green, and as they turn, Red immediately shoots a single leg and takes Green to the mat, establishing control.
Call: This is Escape (1 point) + Takedown (3 points) = 4 points Red. It's NOT a reversal because Red achieved a neutral position (facing opponent, Green lost control) before gaining control of Green. A reversal requires going directly from bottom to control without achieving neutral first.
Knowledge Check
What's the difference between a reversal and an escape followed by a takedown?
Answer (flip to read):
Reversal (2 pts): Bottom wrestler goes directly to control without achieving neutral. Escape + Takedown (1+3=4 pts): Bottom wrestler first achieves neutral (faces opponent, opponent loses control), THEN gains control.
1 Point Escape
Awarded when the defensive wrestler gains a neutral position and the opponent loses control.
- Facing: The wrestler must face the opponent to establish neutrality.
- Reaction Time: The opponent must have the opportunity to react to the loss of control.
What Would You Call?
Red is on bottom. Red stands up, Green is still locked around Red's waist from behind. Red breaks Green's grip and immediately spins to face Green. The moment Red faces Green, Red shoots and takes Green down. This all happens in about 2 seconds.
Answer (flip to read):
Escape (1 pt) + Takedown (3 pts) = 4 points Red. Even though it happened quickly, Red achieved neutral (faced opponent after breaking grip) before shooting. Green had "reaction time" even if brief.
Near Fall (Back Points)
The defensive wrestler must be held with back exposed at an angle of 45 degrees or less, or both shoulders held within 4 inches of the mat.
- 2 Points: Criteria held for 2 seconds. (Visual count: One-thousand-one, One-thousand-two).
- 3 Points: Criteria held for 3 seconds.
- 4 Points: Criteria held for 4 seconds.
Knowledge Check
What are the two criteria for near fall position?
Answer (flip to read):
1) Back exposed at 45 degrees or less to the mat, OR 2) Both shoulders within 4 inches of the mat.
Scenario: Counting Near Fall
Green has Red in a half nelson and is working a turn. Red's shoulders come within near fall criteria. You start counting: "One-thousand-one, one-thousand-two" - Red bridges and gets one shoulder up. Green cranks harder and Red goes back into criteria. You count: "One-thousand-three" - then Red escapes completely.
Call: 3-point near fall! The count is cumulative within the same sequence. You had 2 seconds in the first sequence, Red broke criteria briefly, then 1 more second = 3 total seconds. Award 3 near fall points. Note: If Red had completely escaped Green's control and then Green regained a new near fall position, that would start a NEW count.
Knowledge Check
How many seconds in near fall criteria earns 4 points? Is the count cumulative?
Answer (flip to read):
4 seconds = 4 points. Yes, the count IS cumulative within the same near fall sequence (brief breaks don't restart the count, but a complete loss of the near fall position does).
Note on 5 Points: If a 4-point Near Fall criterion is met AND the match is stopped due to injury (blood or injury by defensive wrestler), 5 points are awarded (4 for the near fall + 1 for the stoppage/injury benefit).
What Would You Call?
Green has Red in a tight cradle. Red's shoulders are clearly within 4 inches of the mat. You're counting: "One-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three, one-thousand-four..." At 4.5 seconds, Red's nose starts bleeding significantly. You stop the match for blood time.
Answer (flip to read):
5 points to Green! 4 points for the near fall (held 4+ seconds) plus 1 point for the injury/blood stoppage while in near fall criteria. This is the maximum near fall award.
Technical Fall (Tech Fall)
- Score: 15-point differential (e.g., 15-0, 17-2).
- When to call: The match ends immediately when the 15-point margin is reached.
- Exception: If the scoring action that creates the 15-point lead creates an immediate pinning situation, allow the offensive wrestler to work for the pin. If the pin is not imminent or the criteria is broken, stop the match.
Scenario: Tech Fall with Pin Opportunity
Score is 12-0 Green. Green executes a takedown (3 points, now 15-0) and as they finish, they drive Red directly to their back in one continuous motion. Red's shoulders are down and Green is working for the pin.
Call: Let them wrestle! The takedown created an immediate pinning situation in one continuous motion. Give Green the opportunity to finish the pin. If Red bridges out or the pin attempt breaks down, THEN stop the match for tech fall. If the takedown had not created an immediate pin opportunity, you would stop the match at 15-0.
Knowledge Check
When does a technical fall end the match, and what is the exception?
Answer (flip to read):
Tech fall ends the match immediately at a 15-point differential. Exception: If the scoring action that creates the 15-point lead also creates an immediate pinning situation, allow the wrestler to work for the pin.
What Would You Call?
Score is 14-2 Green. Red is on bottom in referee's position. Green executes a tight waist tilt that puts Red on their back. After 2 seconds in near fall criteria, you award 2 points (now 16-2, 14-point margin). You continue counting. At 4 total seconds, you're about to award 2 more points for the 4-point near fall. What happens?
Answer (flip to read):
Stop the match - Tech Fall! At 2 seconds you awarded 2 NF points (16-2). At 3 seconds you award 1 more point (17-2, now 15+ margin). The match ends immediately at the 15-point differential. Green wins by technical fall 17-2.