Wrestling 101
A Guide for Newcomers to the World's Oldest and Grandest Sport
Wrestling is one of the most challenging and demanding sports offered at Houston High. As a result of those challenges and demands, it is also the most rewarding. Wrestling teaches discipline and sportsmanship while developing endurance and stamina. With the division of wrestlers into weight classes, any size athlete can compete with someone his own weight. The weight classes provide maximum opportunities to compete. Practices are designed to provide the ideal circumstances for physical development and self-reliance.
Team and weight classes: A varsity team consists of 14 wrestlers, while a freshman team consists of 13. The wrestlers are arranged according to their weight. The different weight classes for varsity are 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 220 and 275 pounds. The different weight classes for freshman are 87, 95, 103, 112, 120, 127, 135, 143, 153, 163, 175, 200 and 250.
Dual meets: A dual meet involves two teams. A meet is when each school's varsity or freshman team wrestles the other. The individual wrestlers compete in a match based on their weight discussed above. If both teams have a wrestler in each weight class then there will be 14 or 13 matches. If one team has a wrestler in a particular weight class and the other doesn't, then the team represented wins that match by forfeit. The matches take place on a cushioned mat with a wrestling area (circle) at least 28 feet in diameter.
Tournaments: A tournament involves numerous teams. In tournaments, each individual wrestler competes in his own weight bracket, while scoring points for his team. Individual wrestlers are competing for individual medals and glory. All of the varsity tournaments that Houston High attends award first through sixth place medals, except the Region Tournament that awards first through fourth place. The bracket is drawn so that the known superior wrestlers are seeded and separated from competing against each other in the opening rounds. This is in an effort to set the best possible final match. A bye occurs when the number of wrestlers in the bracket is not a power of 2, i.e. 4, 8, 16, 32 wrestlers. A bye is randomly drawn into the bracket. A bye should only occur in the first round of championship and the first round of consolations. The wrestlers advance in the bracket as long as they continue to win. If a wrestler loses, the format of the tournament determines whether or not he will wrestle in the consolation bracket. For example, the Black Horse Invitational is double elimination, where all wrestlers are guaranteed at least two matches. The State Tournament is a carry format, where the person that defeats you must reach the semi-finals to carry you into the consolation bracket.
Matches: Wrestling matches consist of three two-minute periods. In tournament consolation brackets, the first period is one minute. The first period begins with the wrestlers in the neutral position, upright standing and facing each other. At the beginning of the second period, one wrestler is given a choice of position. In a dual meet format, this choice is determined by a coin toss at the beginning of the meet. In a tournament, this choice is determined by a coin toss at the beginning of the second period. The wrestler with the choice may choose neutral, top, bottom or defer his choice to the third period. The other wrestler gets the choice at the beginning of the third period, unless the choice was deferred. The bottom position is one where the wrestler gets on his hands and knees. The top position is where the wrestler takes an advantage position at his opponents side and rear, puts one arm around his opponent's waist and with the other places it on the bottom wrestler's elbow. The combination of the top and bottom positions is known as the referee's position. The wrestlers may also start in the referee's position after going out of bounds.
Pins and scoring individual match points: A wrestling match is a test of strength and skill between the two opponents. Each wrestler tries to win the match by pinning his opponent (holding his shoulders to the mat for two seconds). If neither wrestler is able to pin his opponent then a match will be won by the one awarded the most points, which they receive for skillfully executing various holds and maneuvers. A referee watches for a pin, awards points for those skillful maneuvers, and penalizes wrestlers for illegal holds or tactics. If one wrestler gets ahead by 15 points, then he would be awarded a tech-fall and the match would be terminated short of the 6-minute time limit. If no pin or tech-fall occurs, then the match will go the entire 6 minutes. At the end of 6 minutes, the wrestler with the most points wins. A takedown occurs from the neutral position. It is when one wrestler takes the other other wrestler to the mat, gets behind him, and gains control of him. A reversal occurs when the wrestler on bottoms executes a maneuver and ends up being the top wrestler. An escape occurs when the wrestler on the bottom stands up, gets away from his opponent, and faces his opponent in the neutral position. A near fall occurs when the top wrestler turns his opponents shoulders to within 45 degrees of the mat and holds them there for a minimum of two seconds. A penalty point is awarded for illegal situations and holds. Certain holds are illegal in an effort to ensure the safety of the wrestlers or to prevent an unfair advantage.
Individual Match Points
Near Fall/Back Points - 2 points (two second exposure)
Near Fall/Back Points - 3 points (five second exposure)
Takedown - 2 points
Reversal - 2 points
Escape - 1 point
Third Caution - 1 point
1st penalty - 1 point
2nd penalty - 1 point
3rd penalty - 2 points
4th penalty - Disqualification
Team score: The team score is determined by the individual match results. Dual meet team points are fairly simple to figure out, where as tournament team points require the calculating powers of a NASA scientist.
Dual meet team points are as follows:
Dual Meet Team Points
Fall/Pin 6 points
Forfeit 6 points
Injury Default 6 points
Disqualification 6 points
Technical 5 points
Decision (By 8-11 pts) 4 points
Decision (By less than 8 pts) 3 points
Tournament team points require the addition of Bonus Points, Advancement Points, Bye Points and Placement Points. Tournament team points are as follows:
Tournament Team Points
Bonus Points (How a wrestler wins the match)
Fall/Pin 2 points
Foirfeit 2 points
Default 2 points
Disqualification 2 points
Technical fall 1.5 points
Decision (By 8-11 pts) 1 point
Decision (By less than 8 pts) 0 points
Advancement Points (Winning a match other than a final medal place match)
Championship bracket 2 points
Consolation bracket 1 point
Bye Points (Winning the match after having a bye in the previous round)
Championship bracket 2 points
Consolation bracket 1 point
Placement Points
(In a tournament that awards six medals)
1st place 16 points
2nd place 12 points
3rd place 9 points
4th place 7 points
5th place 5 points
6th place 3 points
(In a tournament that awards four medals)
1st place 14 points
2nd place 10 points
3rd place 7 points
4th place 5 points
Houston Wrestling Program
The Houston Wrestling program has three teams: Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshman. The varsity squad consists of the school's best wrestlers in each of the 14 weight classes discussed above. The starting line up, for the varsity and freshman squads, is determined by a wrestle-off. All Houston wrestlers in the same weight class compete against each other. The winner is the starter in that weight class. The junior varsity squad is made up of those wrestlers that did not make the varsity squad, but could at anytime be wrestling varsity if the varsity wrestler is unable to compete. A junior varsity wrestler will compete at the varsity meets if there is a junior varsity wrestler from the other team in his weight class. The freshman squad is made up of 9th graders. Freshmen are eligible to wrestle in freshman, junior varsity and varsity meets and tournaments.
Practices
The practice schedule is planned to optimize the time we have in the practice room. Wrestlers should wear shorts and a t-shirt. Wrestling shoes and head-gear are a requirement. With the various specialized skills and maneuvers involved in wrestling, all wrestlers are highly encouraged and required to attend all practices. Missing any practice time will only place a wrestler at a disadvantage when vying for a starting position against his teammates.
Letter Jacket Information
Most wrestlers look forward to the day when they earn a letter and can purchase a jacket. A wrestler qualifies for a letter if he wrestles in three varsity matches. A wrestler could also qualify for a letter if he has shown his dedication to the team's efforts late in the season. Wrestlers must order their jackets when one of the other major sports orders theirs. Usually that means ordering when football season is over. An announcement is made at school for those interested to come after school to place an order. The salesman only comes once. After the jacket arrives, you must then have the letter and the small wrestlers sewn onto the jacket.
At the end of the season, we have our annual wrestling banquet. There is dinner, a highlight video, and the presentation of awards. Typical awards given are outlined below:
Best Freshman Wrestler
Most Improved Wrestler
Senior Leadership Award
ETHIKS Award
Sportsmanship Award
Most Outstanding Wrestler
We hope you would accept the challenge of this most rewarding sport for your son, and would participate as a spectator, supporter, or cheerleader. Without a solid booster club, this team could would be at a great disadvantage against the competition. There will be many opportunities to show your support for your son's team.
Most importantly, we are interested in developing student-athletes and helping them realize their potential in school, athletics and life in general.
Houston Wrestling Coaching Staff