At what age can girls start wrestling?

Many youth clubs allow children to begin wrestling as early as five or six. Early exposure to stance, balance, and movement builds a foundation for long-term success, and sessions at this age emphasize fun and safe skill-building.

Do girls wrestle against boys?

At the youth and early middle school levels, girls often compete against boys where numbers are limited. As participation grows, more states now offer all-girls divisions and sanctioned state championships.

Is wrestling safe for girls?

Yes—when proper guidelines are followed. With protective gear, clean mats, and trained coaches, wrestling has comparatively low injury rates. Modern programs emphasize hydration, nutrition, and avoiding dangerous weight-cutting.

What gear do female wrestlers need?

Core items include wrestling shoes, headgear (optional internationally but recommended in U.S. youth programs), a fitted singlet or compression set, and knee pads. Hygiene gear such as personal water bottles and antibacterial wipes is also encouraged.

Are there college opportunities for women wrestlers?

Yes. Women’s wrestling is an NCAA Emerging Sport and is fully sanctioned in the NAIA. Hundreds of programs now exist, with scholarship pathways for qualified athletes.

Amateur Wrestling: The Complete Guide for Parents, Athletes, and Coaches

Amateur wrestling is one of the oldest and most respected sports in the world. Practiced in schools, colleges, clubs, and Olympic arenas, it combines strength, speed, discipline, and mental toughness. For new parents, first-time wrestlers, and coaches building programs, understanding the basics of amateur wrestling is essential.

This guide explains the fundamentals of the sport, its rules and styles, the benefits of wrestling for youth development, and best practices for safe training.

What Is Amateur Wrestling?

Man in maroon shirt passionately gestures with 2 hand, shouting on a wrestling mat. Blurred crowd in background adds intensity to the scene.

Amateur wrestling refers to competitive, regulated wrestling styles where the goal is to outscore or pin your opponent. Unlike professional wrestling entertainment, amateur wrestling is based on athletic competition and standardized rules.

The two internationally recognized Olympic styles are:

Freestyle wrestling – Athletes can use both their upper and lower body in offense and defense.
Greco-Roman wrestling – Athletes can only attack above the waist, focusing on throws, lifts, and upper-body control.

In the United States, two additional formats are practiced:

Scholastic wrestling (folkstyle) – Used in middle school and high school competitions, governed by the NFHS.
Collegiate wrestling – Practiced at the college level, emphasizing control, riding time, and escapes.

Key Rules and Scoring

Matches are wrestled on a circular mat with a boundary line. Points are awarded for:

Takedowns – Bringing an opponent to the mat (worth 2–3 points depending on rule set).
Escapes – Getting away from an opponent’s control (1 point).
Reversals – Switching from a bottom position to a top position (2 points).
Near falls / exposures – Holding an opponent’s shoulders near the mat (2–4 points).
Penalty points – Given for illegal moves, stalling, or misconduct.

A pin (fall) ends the match immediately, regardless of the score.

Benefits of Wrestling for Youth

Two kids wrestling in sandy outdoors; one in a gray shirt and red shorts, tightly gripping the other. Determined expressions.

Parents often wonder why wrestling is so popular at the youth and high school level. Research and decades of coaching experience highlight the benefits:

Physical development – Builds strength, balance, agility, and cardiovascular endurance.
Mental resilience – Teaches discipline, problem-solving, and emotional control under pressure.
Confidence – Wrestlers learn to face challenges one-on-one, with accountability for outcomes.
Life skills – The sport develops work ethic, goal-setting, and respect for others.

Safety and Injury Prevention

When practiced correctly, wrestling is one of the safest contact sports. Best practices include:

Clean mats and gear – Prevent skin infections like ringworm and impetigo.
Proper technique – Reduces risk of head, neck, and joint injuries.
Matching partners appropriately – Keeps younger wrestlers safe during drilling.
Balanced training – Avoids overtraining and burnout, especially in youth athletes.

Weight management is a major concern in wrestling. Healthy eating, hydration, and gradual conditioning are strongly recommended over extreme weight-cutting practices.

Training Essentials

Core Wrestling Drills

Every wrestler should practice these fundamentals daily:

Stance and motion drills
Shot entries (single-leg, double-leg)
Escape series from the bottom
Reversal techniques
Pinning combinations (half nelson, cradle, arm bar)
Conditioning circuits

Live Wrestling vs. Drilling

Drilling builds muscle memory.
Live wrestling applies techniques under real pressure.
- A balanced practice combines both, ensuring athletes improve consistently.

A woman in a denim shirt excitedly cheers at a wrestling match between two kids, one in red and one in blue, in a gym with wooden bleachers.

Wrestling at the Next Level

For athletes who want to advance, opportunities include:

High school teams leading to state championships.
College wrestling in NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA programs.
USA Wrestling events offering youth, junior, and senior national competitions.
International competition through freestyle or Greco-Roman.

Frequently Asked Questions About Amateur Wrestling

Q1: What is the difference between amateur and professional wrestling?

Amateur wrestling is a competitive sport based on skill, rules, and scoring. Professional wrestling is entertainment, with choreographed matches and storylines.

Q2: What are the main styles of amateur wrestling?

The two Olympic styles are freestyle (attacks allowed with arms and legs) and Greco-Roman (upper body only). In the U.S., you’ll also find scholastic (folkstyle) in schools and collegiate wrestling at the college level.

Q3: How do you score points in wrestling?

Points are awarded for takedowns, escapes, reversals, and near falls. A pin (holding both shoulders on the mat) ends the match immediately.

Q4: Is wrestling safe for kids?

Yes—when practiced correctly. Safety comes from clean mats, proper gear, good partner matching, and coaches who teach correct technique.

Q5: What age can kids start wrestling?

Many clubs introduce kids as young as 5–6 years old, focusing on fun, movement, and basic coordination before competition.

Q6: How long is a wrestling match?

At the high school level, matches are typically three periods of 2 minutes each. College and international formats vary slightly but follow similar time structures.

Q7: What gear do wrestlers need?

Essential gear includes:

Wrestling shoes (mat-only use)
Headgear (to prevent cauliflower ear)
Singlet or competition uniform
Optional gear: knee pads and mouthguards.

Q8: What are the health benefits of wrestling?

Wrestling develops strength, balance, agility, and cardiovascular endurance. It also teaches discipline, mental toughness, and confidence.

Q9: How do wrestlers manage weight safely?

Healthy weight management includes balanced meals, hydration, and gradual conditioning. Extreme weight-cutting practices are discouraged.

Q10: Can girls wrestle too?

Absolutely. Women’s wrestling is one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, with opportunities at youth, high school, college, and Olympic levels.

References

United World Wrestling (UWW). Wrestling Rules & Regulations. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://uww.org
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Wrestling Rules Book 2024–25. NFHS Publications.
Johnson, W. (2004). The Wrestling Drill Book. Human Kinetics.
Simon, C. (1950). A High School Wrestling Manual. Charles C. Thomas.
Rothert, H. & Tepper, E. (1988). Manual of Basic Holds in Wrestling for Children. Youth Sport Press.
Keep Kids Wrestling. Essential Wrestling Drills Every Wrestler Should Practice. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.keepkidswrestling.com/post/essential-wrestling-drills-every-wrestler-should-practice
USA Wrestling. Youth Development & Safe Sport Guidelines. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.usawrestling.org
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Sports Medicine Handbook: Wrestling Section. NCAA Publications.