by Roger Moore

Created on: May 07, 2009   Last Updated: May 15, 2009

It's not as easy or complicated as it looks. But scoring a wrestling match can sometimes be confusing depending on what part of the country you reside.

However, the written rules, although sometimes interpreted differently by officials, are the same from California to New York. Olympic style wrestling uses a different scoring standard, but from Division III to Division I colleges the scoring is the same.

The most common way to score during a match is the takedown, worth two points. Wrestlers start in a neutral, standing position in the center of a circular mat. When one opponent takes the other to the mat, thus gaining control, he is awarded two points.

If the taken down wrestler gets away, or escapes, he or she is awarded one point.

The goal or ultimate end to any wrestling match is the pin. It occurs when both shoulder blades of a wrestler are pinned to the mat. Some officials need a split second of both shoulders touching simultaneously to end the match while others will wait two or three seconds before ending the match due to pin.

In the process of trying to score a pin, often the opponent will be able to get off his or her back. Wrestlers can earn near-fall points during this process. Once both shoulder blades are exposed at least 90-degrees the official will begin a count. Once 90-degrees is crossed, if that is maintained for two seconds, the wrestler in the position of advantage is awarded two points; if the count reaches three then three near-fall points are awarded.

Points may also be awarded for a reversal. This is the easiest to describe as a reversal occurs when the wrestler that has been taken down or starts in the defensive position simply reverses positions with his opponent. He is awarded two points.

Points may sometimes be earned simply by being more aggressive than your opponent. The official can warn a wrestler for non-activity or for not trying to score from any position on the mat. A second warning for non-activity results in a point for the opponent; a third also equals a point with a fourth being two points. If a wrestler is warned a fifth time immediate disqualification occurs and the match is ended.

Stalling or non-activity is sometimes interpreted differently depending on the official working a particular match. Interpretation is also a part of fleeing the hold. When an attacking wrestler is near a takedown near the edge of the wrestling mat and his opponent flees the hold by diving off the mat, the official can award a point to the aggressor.

Again, this is often called in a different manner from match to match, thus making the scoring of amateur wrestling sometimes confusing to the average fan.

Unsportsmanlike conduct can also result in points and sometimes disqualification. But the basics of scoring a wrestling match, although changing from time to time, remain somewhat consistent:

Takedown = 2 points

Reversal = 2 points.

2-point near-fall = 2 points

3-point near-fall = 3 points

Escape = 1 point.

Warnings for non-activity = 0 for first; 1 for second; 1 for third; 2 for fourth; DQ for fifth

Fleeing the hold = 1 point

Unsportsmanlike conduct = 1 points or possible DQ

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