The Rocket

Issue date: 12/2/05 Section: Sports Extra

Media Credit: SUBMITTED PHOTO David Pienaar tangles with Edinboro's Jay Morrison in an 11-0 loss.

When it comes to the sport of wrestling, not many people understand how it works. I hear students complain that it's boring and, judging by attendance at Slippery Rock University home meets, not many like to go either.

But when you start to understand the rules of the sport, it becomes the most exciting and intense seven minutes of your life.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) supervises collegiate wrestling. This style of wrestling, also known as Folk-Style, is the type used only in the United States. The style consists of a variety of holds and moves used to score points against an opponent. Two contestants compete against each other in order to bring their opponent's shoulder blades to the mat. If it is done successfully, it's considered a fall, or more commonly known as, a "pin." If this is not done successfully, the contestant earns points for a near fall. Individuals compete against each other in order to earn points for their team. Scoring for the team goes something like this:

Pin-6 points

Technical fall-5 points (winning by 15 points or more)

Major Decision-4 points (winning between 8 and 14 points)

Regular Decisions-3 points

A regular wrestling match is seven minutes long and consists of one three minute period and two two minute periods. If the match is tied after seven minutes, an overtime period is added. The overtime period is called a "ride out," which means: If one opponent can keep the other from escaping, the contestant holding them down will win the match.

In matches, points are scored using moves and holds. There are four ways you can score during a match.

A takedown is awarded two points. Takedowns occur when one wrester brings another to the mat from the standing position.

Reversals are scored when one opponent loses control and the other gains control, reversing the situation. These are awarded one point.

Back points are awarded when an opponent's shoulder blades are almost touching the mat. The wrestler must hold his/her opponent in that position for a certain amount of time in order to receive points. Less than three seconds is awarded two points, but anything between three and five seconds is awarded three points.

Escapes are awarded when an opponent regains control from another, and moves into the standing position. An escape is awarded one point.

This was just a small overview of how the point system in wrestling works. Hopefully this will have given you a general knowledge and understanding of the sport. Now go out and enjoy! If this has caught your attention and you want to learn more about this sport, go to: www.wrestlingreport.com.

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