The 2010 High School Wrestling Championships are upon us! It is an exciting time for all the Iowa wrestlers to face off and battle for the title of State Champion.

Never watched wrestling or not sure what is going on? Well here are the basics to make it easier for you to cheer your champion to the title.

Wrestling is broken up into three periods each being two minutes in length. The match begins with each wrestler in the neutral position. The neutral position has the two wrestlers standing opposite each other on their feet. The match commences with each wrestler attempting to take down and ultimately pin their opponent.

If the match is not ended by a wrestler pinning their opponent they begin the second period. One wrestler will have the choice of starting position in the second period. The referee will toss a colored disk, with a green-colored side and a red-colored side and the winner of that disk toss will have the choice of position. The toss-winning wrestler could choose between the neutral position or to begin in what is called the referee's position on the mat. The referee's position has one wrestler at the center of the mat on the bottom. The other wrestler is on the top and kneels beside him with one arm wrapped around their opponent's waist and the other hand on or over the back of the opponent's near elbow. The toss-winning wrestler could also choose the bottom position, where he would have the opportunity to score points for a reversal or an escape and a subsequent takedown. The toss-winning wrestler could also defer his choice to the beginning of the third period.

If the match is not ended by a wrestler pinning their opponent they begin the third period. The wrestler who did not choose the starting position for the second period now chooses the starting position.

During the match, points are awarded to each wrestler based on their actions towards their opponent. Points can determine a winner if neither wrestler pins their opponent.

Takedown (2 points): A wrestler is awarded two points for a takedown when, from the neutral position, they take the other wrestler down to the mat.

Escape (1 point): A wrestler who is on the bottom is awarded one point for an escape when they gain neutral position and their opponent loses control of them.

Reversal (2 points): A wrestler on the bottom is awarded two points for a reversal when they come from the bottom and gain control of the opponent either on the mat or in a rear standing position.

Near Fall (2 or 3 points): Near fall points, also known as “back points,” are received when: (1) a wrestler holds their opponent in a high bridge or on both elbows; (2) a wrestler holds any part of both his opponent's shoulders within four inches of the mat; or (3) a wrestler controls their opponent in such a way that one of their shoulders or the head, is touching the mat and the other shoulder is held at an angle of 45 degrees or less to the mat. When a near fall has been met, the referee will begin counting how many seconds the wrestler is in the near fall position. Two points are given when a near fall is met for two to four seconds. Three points are given when a near fall is met for five seconds or more. After five seconds, the referee awards three points and stops counting.

Now with all the points awarded, how do we know who wins? Well the obvious win is by pinning your opponent, or Win By Fall, but if no wrestler pins their opponent then the points determine the winner. Let me explain each victory.

Win By Fall: The object of the entire wrestling match is to pin your opponent. A pin occurs when one wrestler holds any part of both of his opponent's shoulders in continuous contact with the mat for two seconds. Pinning your opponent ends the match immediately and you are declared the winner.

Win By Technical Fall: If neither wrestler pins their opponent, a wrestler can win a match by having an advantage of 15 points over an opponent.

Win By Major Decision: If no fall or technical fall occurs and a wrestler has a margin of eight or more points over their opponent, the wrestler Wins By Major Decision.

Win By Decision: If the match concludes and a wrestler has less than eight points over their opponent the wrestler with the most points Wins By Decision.

So now you know all the rules. Now you know all of the points that can scored by a wrestler. Now you can cheer your favorite wrestler on to their State Championship Title with ease!