A regulation-length high school wrestling match could last up to six minutes, with the match divided into three two-minute rounds, or it could end at any moment in just a matter of seconds, and no lead of fewer than 15 points is ever safe. Because a wrestling match could be decided on the mat as well as by the scorecards, wrestlers must stay on their guard and fans always can hang onto a sliver of hope until the final buzzer sounds.
Ending a Match on the Mat
A wrestler can decide his own fate and make sure the match is not decided by final point totals with two means: the pin fall and the technical fall. The pin fall might be the most well-known and glorified ending in wrestling, but also might be the most understood. To secure a pin, a wrestler must force both of his opponent's shoulders to touch flat against the mat, for a period of two seconds in a scholastic match or one second in a collegiate match. The referee will count the seconds and signify the end of the match by slapping the mat. A wrestler also can win by technical fall when he gains a lead of 15 points or more, scoring those points by takedowns, reversals, escapes, near falls or penalty points. In a dual meet, a wrestler wins his team 6 points for a pin fall, while a technical fall is worth 5.
Winning on the Scoreboard
If the match has not been decided by a pin fall or technical fall after the full three rounds, the winner is decided by point totals. A wrestler wins a decision when he leads his opponent by a margin of between 1 and 7 points. When a wrestler wins his match by between 8 and 14 points, he is awarded a major decision. This small distinction can make a crucial difference in dual-meet scoring, as a decision win awards a team 3 points and a major decision is worth 4.
Winning in Overtime
If a match remains tied at the end of three rounds, a one-minute sudden-death overtime period is contested to determine a winner. Both wrestlers begin from the standing, or "neutral," position, which typically forces wrestlers to score the decisive points via a takedown. However, if the match still is tied after one overtime, two 30-second overtime periods will be contested in their entirety, regardless of who scores first. In scholastic wrestling, matches still tied after the second round of overtime advance to an ultimate tiebreaker, which features one 30-second period. Even if no points are scored during this period, a wrestler can win the ultimate tiebreaker by remaining in the top position. In collegiate matches, a tiebreaker is awarded to the wrestler with the greater "time advantage," or net time spent in a position of control.
Winning Without Contesting a Match
A wrestler can win a match and 6 points for his team simply by walking onto the mat if his opponent forfeits, defaults or is disqualified. A forfeit could be awarded when a wrestler is unable to compete, perhaps due to academic ineligibility, failing to meet weight requirements or not appearing at the time of competition. A default occurs when a wrestler or his coach elects not to continue competition, such as in the case of an injury or illness. In the event of a forfeit or default, the competing wrestler must simply walk onto the mat in uniform to be declared the winner. A referee may disqualify a wrestler on his fourth offense for unnecessary roughness, his fifth offense for technical violations such as stalling, or on his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
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