The objective of the sport of wrestling is 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 shoulderblades (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 folkstlye wrestling match:

• Takedown
• Escape
• Reversal
• Near-Fall
• 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 at least 2 seconds within four inches of the mat; When one shoulder or scapula is touching the mat with the other shoulder or scapula held at an angle of 45 degrees of less. If near fall criteria is met for two continous seconds, 2 points are awarded when the defensive wrestelr 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 of 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
Unsportsmanlike 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. Unsportsmanlike 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 nonparticipants. 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 competiotion.

Team Scoring
Won By	Dual Match	Tournament Match
Pin	6 Points	2 Points
Forfeit, Default, or Disqualification	6 Points	2 Points
Technical Fall won by 15 or more	5 Points	1.5 Points
Major Decision won by 8-14 points	4 Points	1 Point
Decision won by less than 8 points	3 Points	0 Points
In tournament competition, each time a wrestler advances in the Championship bracket he scores an additional 2 team points, each time a wrestler advances in the consolation bracket he scores an additional team point. Also, a wrestler scores team points for placing in the tournament as follows: First Place - 14 Points Second Place - 10 Points Third Place - 7 Points Fourth Place - 4 Points