Rules & Procedures

Eligibility at Kids Nationals:

• Each athlete must meet the age group requirements (see Divisions tab) and have the proper USA Wrestling membership (see below). 
• The 2025-2026 Membership Year is September 1, 2025 -August 31, 2026.

8U, 10, 12U, & 14U Criteria: 

There is no seeding for this event, draw numbers are assigned randomly by the computer. However, this event will be separated by the PIN for 8U, 10U, 12U, & 14U divisions.   

Brackets with Four (4) or less will use a round robin system. Brackets with Five (5) or more will use line bracketing.

USA Wrestling Performance Index (PIN): Separation used for all brackets. Click here for more information about PIN 

*The number of separated spots will be based on registered numbers and decided upon by tournament director and head operations official

ABOUT THE USA WRESTLING PIN

• The USA Wrestling Performance Index (PIN) measures consistency over time and rates the probability of a person winning against an opponent based on their bodies of work.
• A person with a higher PIN is considered more likely to beat someone with a lower PIN and the closer the PINs are between athletes, the closer the probability gets to 50/50 chances.
• This does not reward the one-time win or head-to-head over an opponent. What it does is reward an athlete’s consistency over time. If you consistently beat people with higher PINs, you will gain PIN points to surpass them in the index, given that you do not lose to lesser competition along the way.
• The more you wrestle, the more opportunity you have to change your PIN
• The baseline number for a person’s PIN is 1,000 points. The more points your PIN has above 1,000 reflects positive success against your opponents.

Tie-Breaker Criteria:

In the event of a tie between two or more participants in a round-robin, the
following criteria shall be used to break the tie:
1. If two participants are tied, the head-to-head outcome will determine
highest placer.
2. Cumulative activity points (2 pts: Fall, Inj. Default, Forfeit, WBD; 1.5 pts: Technical Fall; 1 pt: Major decision).
3. Most pins.
4. Most technical falls.
5. Fastest time of falls (cumulative).
6. Fastest time of technical falls (cumulative).
7. Most match points.
8. Lowest contestant weight.

BRACKET CHANGES WILL BE MADE UP UNTIL 1 HOUR PRIOR TO THE START OF THE WRESTLING SESSION. Please contact the tournament director with any issues (ie: wrestler missing from bracket or incorrect weight) by email at least 2 HOURS PRIOR to the start of the wrestling session or please come to the headtable.  

RULES

In effect immediately, USA Wrestling events will follow the 2022 UWW Rule changes for Freestyle and Greco-Roman. All Regional/National events will follow these rules and policies.
 

Regional/National Rules Modifications

1. If an athlete flees the mat during an attack and the offensive wrestler finishes his/her takedown or other scoring maneuver, the offensive wrestler will score the takedown/scoring maneuver (2, 4, or 5 points)  PLUS caution to his/her opponent and one more point (2, 4, 5 + 1).  Match will restart in PAR TERRE.  This rule applies to all styles.

2. If an athlete flees the mat during an attack and the offensive wrestler is unable to finish his/her attack, the offensive wrestler will score the step out (1 point) PLUS caution to his/her opponent and one more point (1 + 1).  Match will restart STANDING.  This rule applies to all styles.

3. If an athlete flees the mat in par terre, caution to the defensive wrestler and his/her opponent receives one point.  Athletes will restart in par terre. -- If an athlete flees in danger, caution to the defensive wrestler plus two points to the offensive wrestler, restart par terre (no change from previous rules).

4. Par Terre Starting Position:  Match will start once the offensive athlete places hands on any part of the back.

5. If an athlete is put on activity time and does not score, the active wrestler will get one point on top of any points he/she scores in activity time.  The passive athlete on activity time must score in that 30 seconds or their opponent will receive one point.  The point will be awarded without stopping the match.

6. In the 14U and younger, U15, 16U, U17 and Veteran age categories, no verbal warning for inactivity will be given due to the shortened periods.  The first stoppage in the match for passivity will go directly to activity time. 

7. All Masters age categories will wrestle 2-minute periods.

8. In a fall situation where the defensive athlete nearly has his/her shoulders to the mat and screams to simulate an injury and a reason for this potential injury is not observed, the refereeing team is obligated to call a fall, with mat chairman approval.

9. Headgear is not required for wrestlers 14U and younger. A distinguishable shade of red or blue is acceptable for singlest.

10. Double arm bar with sit-out, three quarter nelson w/leg hook and west point ride (iron cross/cross chest cradle) maneuvers are now LEGAL in all age divisions.

11. Technical superiority in GR will now be 8 points across ALL age divisions.

12. Kickbacks are legal in FS, assuming the offensive wrestler does not use undue force against the defensive wrestler’s knee.  This has always been legal.

13. In Greco the offensive wrestler DOES NOT have to accompany his opponent to the mat during a throw or action in order to score points.

14. Mouth guards are not required for wrestlers (even wrestlers with braces) but recommended

15. Rest time in between matches is a minimum of 15 minutes

16. A match can be started when a wrestler does not have a coach

USA Wrestling rules governing ages, weights and match time will take precedence where applicable. USA Wrestling Protest Procedures will govern all challenges, and where available video review will be used to aid in the decision making process.  

RULE BOOK: https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_rule_book

USA Wrestling Code of Conduct for Event Attendees

USA Wrestling is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive environment for all participants, including athletes, coaches, officials, and fans. All individuals attending or participating in USA Wrestling events are expected to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, integrity, and respect.

The following standards apply to all coaches, spectators and athletes at USA Wrestling events:

• Coaches, spectators and athletes are entitled to enjoy the wrestling experience free from disruptive or inconsiderate behaviors or unruly actions.
• Coaches and spectators may not interfere with the event and/or athletes in any manner.
• Coaches, spectators and athletes shall refrain from using abusive language or obscene gestures.
• Coaches, spectators and athletes may not engage in fighting, throwing objects, or other behavior deemed detrimental to the experience of others. Individuals engaging in such actions will be immediately ejected from the event.
• Coaches, spectators and athletes are encouraged to report inappropriate behavior to event or venue staff.
• Coaches, spectators and athletes shall comply with requests from venue staff and USAW event staff regarding venue operational and emergency procedures.
• Violation of this Code of Conduct may result in ejection from the venue without refund and may include further disciplinary action.

USA Wrestling thanks you for adhering to the provisions of the Code of Conduct.