Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Match Duration
A standard senior match consists of 2 periods of 3 minutes each, with a 30-second rest period between them. The clock runs continuously during each period and is stopped only by the referee for injuries, equipment issues, blood time, or official consultations. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, the criteria system (see Section 6) determines the winner without overtime.
5.2 Starting Positions
Each period begins with both wrestlers in the standing (neutral) position, facing each other at the center of the mat. The referee blows the whistle to start and restart action. After an out-of-bounds or scoring sequence, wrestlers return to the center and resume from the standing position unless a par terre order has been issued.
5.3 Fall (Pin)
The fall is the highest achievement in wrestling and results in an immediate victory regardless of the score. A fall is awarded when both of the opponent's shoulder blades are held in continuous contact with the mat long enough for the referee to observe and confirm the pin. The referee must see control and complete shoulder contact, then slap the mat to signal the fall. The match ends instantly. Scoring a fall is equivalent to the knockout in boxing or the submission in judo — the ultimate decisive finish.
5.4 Technical Superiority
If at any point during the match one wrestler establishes a lead of 10 points or more, the match is stopped and that wrestler is declared the winner by technical superiority (also called technical fall). This rule prevents unnecessarily one-sided contests and protects the trailing wrestler from prolonged dominance. The 10-point differential applies to both Freestyle and Greco-Roman at the senior level.
5.5 Freestyle-Specific Rules
In Freestyle wrestling, athletes may use their entire body for offensive and defensive techniques. Key characteristics include:
- Leg attacks: Single-leg and double-leg takedowns are core techniques, targeting the opponent's legs to bring them to the mat.
- Leg lace (ankle lace): A turning technique from the par terre position where the attacker threads the opponent's legs to expose the back to the mat.
- Leg defense: Sprawling, hip switches, and re-attacks using the legs are all permitted.
- Full body engagement: Trips, sweeps, and attacks from any body level are legal.
5.6 Greco-Roman-Specific Rules
Greco-Roman wrestling restricts all holds and attacks to the upper body only (above the waist). This creates a uniquely powerful and explosive style. Key characteristics include:
- No leg attacks: Single-leg takedowns, double-leg shots, leg trips, leg hooks, and any hold below the waist are strictly prohibited. Violations result in a caution and points to the opponent.
- No leg defense: Wrestlers may not use their legs to block, hook, or trip the opponent, even defensively.
- Clinch wrestling: Greco-Roman places heavy emphasis on tie-ups, underhooks, overhooks, and body locks in the standing position.
- Throws and suplexes: High-amplitude throws, including the suplex (lifting and arching the opponent overhead onto their back), are the hallmark techniques of Greco-Roman. These are among the most spectacular moves in all of wrestling.
- Par terre (ground position): In Greco-Roman, the par terre position is critically important. The attacking wrestler starts behind and above the defensive wrestler, who is on hands and knees. From here, the attacker executes gut wrenches (rolling the opponent repeatedly to expose the back), lifts (picking the opponent up from the ground to throw them), and other upper-body turning techniques.
- Ordered par terre: Following a passivity call in Greco-Roman, the active wrestler is awarded par terre position with the passive wrestler on the bottom, creating significant scoring opportunities.
5.7 Passivity Rule
UWW actively penalizes passive wrestling. If a wrestler is not initiating attacks or attempting to score, the following sequence occurs:
- The referee issues a verbal warning ("Red/Blue, attack!") to encourage activity.
- If passivity continues, the referee calls passivity, awarding the active wrestler 1 point and, in Greco-Roman, the choice of par terre position (top).
- In Freestyle, the passive wrestler receives a passivity mark but the active wrestler receives 1 point and the bout continues in the standing position.
The passivity system replaced the former shot clock system and is designed to ensure continuous, engaging wrestling action throughout the match.
5.8 Out of Bounds
When wrestlers move into the protection area (outside the competition surface), the referee stops the action. If a wrestler is pushed out while their opponent maintains position inside, the wrestler who forced the action out may receive 1 point (stepping out). If both wrestlers go out simultaneously, action is restarted at the center with no points awarded. A wrestler who repeatedly flees the mat to avoid engagement is penalized with a caution and 1 point to the opponent.
5.9 Challenge System
Each wrestler (or their corner coach) is entitled to one challenge per match. A challenge requests a video review of a specific call by a review jury. If the challenge is successful and the call is overturned, the wrestler retains the challenge for possible later use. If the challenge fails, the wrestler loses the challenge and 1 point is awarded to the opponent. The challenge system was introduced to improve officiating accuracy at major competitions and is available at all UWW-sanctioned events with video replay capability.