FOLK STYLE WRESTLING RULES
The objective of the sport of wrestling to force your opponent onto his back, to pin your opponent. A pin, also called a fall, occurs when any part of both shoulders or both shoulder blades (scapula) of either wrestler are in contact with mat for two (2) continuous seconds. A pin ends the match immediately. However, if neither wrestlers is pinned, the winner is the wrestler with the most points at the end of the match.

There are five ways to score points in a folk style wrestling match: Takedown, Escape, Reversal, Near-Fall, and Penalty


 

MATCH SCORING
Move Points Description
Takedown 2 Points From a neutral position (both standing with neither wrestler having control) a wrestler gains control over his opponent down on the mat while the supporting parts of either wrestler are inbounds.
Escape 1 Point  When a defensive (bottom) wrestler gains a neutral position and his opponent has lost control while at least one wrestler is inbounds.
Reversal 2 Points  When the defensive wrestler comes from the bottom position and gains control of his opponent, either on the mat or in a rear standing position, while the supporting points of either wrestler are inbounds. 
Near Fall 2 or 3 Points  When near fall criteria is met for 2 seconds. Near fall criteria is:
  • when any part of both shoulders or scapula of the defensive wrestler are held for a least 2 seconds within four inches of the mat; 
  • or when one shoulder or scapula is touching the mat with the other shoulder or scapula held at an angle of 45 degrees or less.

If near fall criteria is met for two continuous seconds, 2 points are awarded when the defensive wrestler is out of the predicament. If near fall criteria is met for five continuous seconds a 3 point near fall is awarded when the defensive wrestler is out of the near fall situation.
Penalty 1 Point
typically,
See Chart 		 A wrestler is awarded point(s) for technical violations or infractions of the rules committed by his opponent. These points are awarded according to the penalty chart.


 

PENALTY CHART
Infraction  Warning  First  Second  Third Fourth
Illegal Holds No  1pt  1pt  2pt  Disqualify
Unnecessary Roughness  No  1pt  1pt  2pt  Disqualify
Un-sportsman-like conduct No  1pt  1pt  2pt  Disqualify
Stalling  Yes  1pt  1pt  2pt  Disqualify
Technical Violations  No  1pt  1pt  2pt  Disqualify 
Technical violations include avoiding wrestling by leaving the mat, grabbing clothing or headgear, incorrect starting position, locked hands.

Technical violations for false start or incorrect starting position are 1 point penalty for each infraction following two cautions. This infraction does not count toward disqualification. 

Un-sportsman-like conduct conduct- No warning, deduct 1 team point for first offense. On 2nd penalty deduct 1 team point, disqualify, and remove from premises. Includes coaches and non-participants.

Flagrant Misconduct- No Warning. Disqualify and deduct 2 team points. Remove from premises. Includes contestants, coaches, and non-participants.


 

Team Scoring
The table below shows the team points scored for an individual match in both dual meet (two teams wrestling each other) and tournament competition.