by Michael Capuano

A high school wrestling match is divided into three periods oftwo minutes each. After the six minutes are up, the winner is determined by the wrestler who has earned the most points during the match. A match is automatically stopped, however, when a wrestler is pinned or one man is ahead by 15 points or more during any part of the time. After each match, depending on the manner in which the wrestler has won, his team is awarded a certain number of points. The team points are added, and the winner is determined. Here is a list of the individual points that can be awarded to a wrestler during his match:

• Takedown: 2 points
• Escape: 1 point
• Reversal: 2 points
• 2 Point Near Fall: both shoulders within 4 inches of the mat for 2-4 seconds OR one shoulder touching the mat and the other shoulder at a 45-degree angle for 2-4 seconds
• 3 Point Near Fall: same as 2 Point Near Fall, only for 5 or more seconds.
• Stalling. Minus 1 point (warning for first call)
• Illegal Hold or Throw: Minus 1 point

• Pin (Fall): both shoulders on the mat for 2 seconds - 6 team points
• Decision: win by 7 points or less - 3 team points
• Major Decision: win by 8-14 points - 4 team points
• Technical Fall: 5 team points Draw: 2 points for each team
• Forfeit, Disqualification, or Default: ended by injury or wrestler quits - 6 team points