The disciplines
DRAFT 2026-11-04. Facts carry URLs. Level assignments, the ladder map, the class plan and the kids program are PROPOSALS for Anthony Pettis to rule.
Position, motion, control. Then the pin.
Wrestling is grappling without strikes. The international rulebook states the aim: to "'pin' the opponent or to win on points" (United World Wrestling, International Wrestling Rules, December 2025, https://cdn.uww.org/2025-12/wrestling_rules.pdf). It was contested at the ancient Olympic Games from 708 BC and was included in the first modern Games in Athens in 1896 (https://uww.org/about-uww/history-wrestling-uww). In the United States it is taught in three codes: folkstyle in schools and colleges, and freestyle and Greco-Roman, the two Olympic styles. USA Wrestling is the national governing body. Its published Level 1 curriculum starts every beginner on stance, motion, the penetration step and the back step before any takedown is taught (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
The disciplines
708 BC
Wrestling was the decisive event of the pentathlon at the ancient Olympic Games; the UWW history also traces the sport to the Sumerians about 5,000 years ago and to the Beni Hassan tomb drawings in Egypt.
uww.org393 AD
Emperor Theodosius I banned the pagan games, ending the ancient Olympics.
uww.org1896
Wrestling was included in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, with no weight categories.
uww.org1904
Freestyle wrestling was introduced at the St. Louis Games, contested only by American wrestlers; both styles were held at London 1908.
uww.org1905 and 1912
The first international federation for wrestling and weightlifting was created in Duisburg in 1905; the International Wrestlers' Union was created on the eve of the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.
uww.org1921, 1954, 1994
The International Amateur Wrestling Federation was created at the IOC congress in Lausanne in 1921; renamed FILA at the Tokyo congress in 1954; renamed the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles in 1994.
uww.orgJuly 31 to August 1, 1968
The United States Wrestling Federation held its organizational meeting at the O'Hare Inn in Chicago, born of discontent with AAU wrestling programs.
nwhof.orgNovember 1978
The Amateur Sports Act of 1978 was signed into law; the USOC still refused to seat the USWF as a Group A member and the dispute returned to court.
nwhof.orgAugust 20, 1982
Federal Judge Ann Aldrich ordered the AAU wrestling division to resign from and sever all ties with FILA.
nwhof.orgMarch 13 to 14, 1983
In Oklahoma City the new body was named the United States of America Wrestling Association, Inc., known as USA Wrestling, and set up as the national governing body and a Group A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USA Wrestling's own column: 'In the early 1980's, USA Wrestling became the National Governing Body for the sport').
nwhof.orgApril 25, 1984
USA Wrestling was seated as an official, voting member of the FILA Congress.
nwhof.orgNovember 7 to December 9, 1997
Three collegiate wrestlers in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Michigan died while cutting weight with food and fluid restriction, vapor-impermeable suits and exercise in hot rooms; the CDC said 'there are no established limits for safe weight loss.'
cdc.gov2004
Women's wrestling became an Olympic discipline at the Athens Games.
uww.orgFebruary 2013 and September 8, 2013
In February 2013 the IOC voted, on its Executive Board's recommendation, to remove wrestling from the 2020 core program; on September 8, 2013, at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, the full IOC membership voted wrestling back onto the 2020 and 2024 programs (UWW's own account; the February 12 day appears only in Wikipedia and press reports, see unconfirmed).
uww.orgJune 8, 2023
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved making all takedowns worth 3 points effective with the 2023-24 season, added a 3-point near fall and eliminated the hand-touch takedown.
ncaa.org2024-25 season
NFHS high school rules made a takedown worth three match points (Rule 9-1-2) 'To promote more scoring activity when wrestlers are in neutral position,' tied near-fall points to seconds held (2, 3 or 4) and ruled wrestlers inbounds with one point of contact.
nfhs.orgAugust 30, 2024
USA Wrestling awarded the Junior National Duals to Milwaukee's Baird Center for 2025 through 2028, with the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation as local organizing committee.
themat.comJanuary 15 to 17, 2025
The NCAA made women's wrestling its 91st championship sport (Division I voted on the Wednesday, Divisions II and III on the Friday); 93 NCAA schools signaled intent to sponsor it in 2024-25, up 41 from 2022-23.
nbcsports.com2026
The first NCAA women's wrestling championship was held at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, with 180 qualifiers in 10 weight classes; women's wrestling had joined the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program in 2020.
api.nwhof.orgNovember 28, 2026
RAF 15 (Real American Freestyle, 'the first unscripted pro wrestling league') at NOW Arena in Chicago lists 'Tsarukyan vs Pettis' as its main event: Anthony Pettis, originally booked to debut against Donald Cerrone, replaced Cerrone in the main event and challenges Arman Tsarukyan for the RAF middleweight crossover title (reported October 27, 2026).
realamericanfreestyle.comThe disciplines
The disciplines
27 of 27 techniques
The ready position: knees bent, hips low, head up, hands in front; the base for everything.
At APFC
USA Wrestling's Level 1 curriculum teaches both 'Staggered & Square'; the basic-skills syllabus covers hand and foot position for offense and defense with consistent language (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf; https://www.themat.com/news/2001/may/09/reviewing-the-basic-skills-of--10094).
Circling and moving in stance without crossing the feet.
At APFC
Motion drills with the cue 'When your hands move, your feet move' (https://www.themat.com/news/2001/may/09/reviewing-the-basic-skills-of--10094).
Dropping the hips to a lower stance without bending at the waist.
At APFC
'Change your elevation before penetration'; drilled as repeated drops in stance (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
The explosive step through the opponent's hips that starts a leg attack.
At APFC
Level 1 lists inside and outside penetration; the syllabus teaches the drop step, the outside step and the knee spin ('backside is best') plus the double-knee drop against pressure (https://www.themat.com/news/2001/may/09/reviewing-the-basic-skills-of--10094).
The footwork pivot that turns the hips in for throws (head-and-arm, arm spin).
At APFC
A Level 1 neutral-position skill, drilled without a partner first (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
Lifting the opponent from a lock and arching to score big points (4 and 5 point actions internationally).
At APFC
Lift with the legs; coaches bring wrestlers along 'slowly' on the back arch, drilled on crash pads (https://www.themat.com/news/2001/may/09/reviewing-the-basic-skills-of--10094). Proposal: lift at Level 3, arch at Level 4.
The contact positions used to set up attacks.
At APFC
Level 1 'Set-ups / control ties' are the wrist tie, head snap and 'pop & go'; the syllabus teaches entering each tie properly (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
Penetrate to both legs, drive and finish to the mat.
At APFC
The first takedown in the Level 1 curriculum, taught after the penetration step with the head up and hips under (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
Penetrate to one leg and finish by running the pipe, tripping or lifting.
At APFC
Level 1 takedown; beginners learn one finish before chaining (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
Snap the opponent's head down and spin behind for control.
At APFC
Level 1 'Snap & spin', drilled from the collar tie (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
Duck under the opponent's arm to get behind.
At APFC
Taught as a skills-based position rather than one move: 'over 2000 potential duck-unders' from different stances, ties and finishes (https://www.themat.com/news/2004/june/04/two-thousand-ducks).
Pull the opponent's arm across to reach the back or a leg.
At APFC
Proposal: taught from the wrist tie as a setup to the single leg; the wrist tie is a Level 1 control tie (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
Leg attacks off the underhook (high crotch) and the collar tie (ankle pick).
At APFC
Proposal: introduced once the double and single are reliable; built on the same penetration and tie skills (https://www.themat.com/news/2001/may/09/reviewing-the-basic-skills-of--10094).
Hip throws using the back step.
At APFC
Level 1 'Back step offense: Head & Arm' and 'Arm Spin', taught on a crash pad with the lift coming from the legs (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
Upper-body lock to throw, and the par terre turn by locking the waist.
At APFC
Taught after freestyle basics, because Greco forbids leg holds: 'strictly forbidden to grasp the opponent below the belt line' (https://cdn.uww.org/2025-12/wrestling_rules.pdf).
Throwing the hips back and down to stop a leg attack.
At APFC
Level 1 'Counter Offense: Lines of defense; Sprawl & spin; Stuff head'; the syllabus adds 'Circling to the bent-leg side' (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf; https://www.themat.com/news/2001/may/09/reviewing-the-basic-skills-of--10094).
The overhook counter and the head-and-arm control after a sprawl.
At APFC
Proposal: taught after the sprawl, with the rule that only 'the head and one arm' may be held (https://cdn.uww.org/2025-12/wrestling_rules.pdf).
Countering the head-and-arm and arm spin.
At APFC
Level 1 'Head & arm defense; Arm Spin Defense' (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
The folkstyle start on the mat, one wrestler on hands and knees, the other on top.
At APFC
Level 1 'Basic positioning / procedure' (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
Getting to the feet for an escape (1 point) and turning the top wrestler for a reversal (2 points).
At APFC
Level 1 'Stand up' and 'Switch' (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf; scoring https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling-men/article/2020-09-16/how-college-wrestling-match-scored).
Controlling the bottom wrestler and flattening him.
At APFC
Level 1 top skills 'Pop & chop', 'Ankle rides / Breakdowns', 'Spiral ride / Breakdowns', 'Returns to mat (Hip Dump)' (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_core_curriculum/1/download_pdf).
The arched neck-and-hips position used to avoid a pin.
At APFC
Drilled in warm-ups; the rules forbid lifting a bridging opponent and throwing him down, 'the bridge must be forced down' (https://cdn.uww.org/2025-12/wrestling_rules.pdf).
The arm threaded under the opponent's arm and behind the neck to turn him toward a pin.
At APFC
Level 1 top skill; the full nelson is illegal for U17 and younger and all women's age groups (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_rule_book).
Locking the head and a leg together to pin.
At APFC
Level 1 top skill; the cross-chest cradle is legal in all age categories (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_rule_book).
Turns using the opponent's arm as a lever.
At APFC
The 'double arm bar with sit-out' is legal in all USA Wrestling age categories; arm locks on the forearm and twisting an arm 'more than 90 degrees' are illegal (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_rule_book; https://cdn.uww.org/2025-12/wrestling_rules.pdf).
Hooking the opponent's legs to control and turn.
At APFC
Proposal: 16U and older only, since referees are told 'Every effort should be made to stop actions that become potentially dangerous' for 14U and younger (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_rule_book).
The same skills applied under MMA rules: takedowns off strikes, wrestling against the fence, getting back to the feet.
At APFC
Adults only for bouts: amateur MMA contestants must be at least 18 in Wisconsin (SPS 192.06(2)(a), 'Be at least 18 years of age', https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/SPS%20192.06) and Illinois (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/illinois/Ill-Admin-Code-tit-68-SS-1370.710); Wisconsin MMA contests 'shall be conducted under the Association of Boxing Commissions' uniform rules' of mixed martial arts except where the statute provides otherwise (Wis. Stat. 444.095(4), https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/444.095).
The disciplines
Three codes. International freestyle and Greco-Roman (UWW Article 22): 'For U15, U17 and veterans: the duration of a bout will be two periods of 2 minutes with a 30-second break. For U20, U23 and Seniors: the duration of a bout will be two periods of 3 minutes with a 30-second break'; age categories (Article 7) U15 14-15, U17 16-17, U20 18-20, U23 19-23, Seniors 20 and older, Veterans over 35. USA Wrestling kids freestyle and Greco: 8U through 16U wrestle 'Two two-minute periods with 30 second rest between periods', Junior 'Two three-minute periods'; kids folkstyle 8U and 10U '3 one-minute periods', 12U and 14U '1 one-minute and 2 1:30 periods', 16U and Junior '3 two-minute periods'. USA Wrestling senior and UWW age-group events 'will adhere to the UWW rules with some modifications'; kids folkstyle follows NFHS scoring with USA Wrestling modifications and a 15-minute minimum rest between matches. Victory (UWW Article 29) by fall, injury, three cautions, technical superiority, forfeit, disqualification or points. Illegal: throat holds, twisting arms more than 90 degrees, arm locks on the forearm, stretching the spine, chancery holds, two hands on the head, slamming a bridging opponent; all double nelsons banned in women's wrestling and the front and side double nelson for U15 and U17 'To protect the health of young wrestlers' (UWW Articles 47 and 50); USA Wrestling 18.1 bans the full nelson for U17 and younger and all women's age groups; NFHS 7-1-5n (2025-26) makes the leg block illegal when the wrestler leaves the feet. Amateur MMA is 18 and over in Wisconsin (SPS 192.06) and Illinois (68 IAC 1370.710): no youth cage bouts; wrestling falls outside Wisconsin's regulated 'unarmed combat sports' by inference, since the statute excludes 'any fighting in a contest for which the rules prohibit a contestant from striking an opponent's head' and does not name wrestling (Wis. Stat. 444.01(5)).
UWW: 'The singlet is the standard uniform which is used across all Olympic styles,' of 'smooth fabric without any rough edges'; ear protectors and shoes per the UWW Uniform Guideline; prohibited: 'any greasy or sticky substance,' unapproved taping, and 'any object that might cause injury to the opponent, such as rings, bracelets, prosthesis, piercing'; mat a 9 m circle with 1.5 m protection border, 7 m central surface and 1 m orange passivity zone. USA Wrestling: headgear 'recommended, but not required' in all age groups and styles; wrestling shoes 'with firm ankle support' required; mouthguards 'strongly recommended' for braces in folkstyle; skin screening before weigh-in. NFHS high school Rule 4-1-4: 'Wrestlers shall wear wrestling ear guards designed by the manufacturer for the sport of wrestling that are rigid and padded,' with 'an adjustable locking device.' Weight classes: UWW senior men's freestyle 57 to 125 kg (Olympic 57, 65, 74, 86, 97, 125), Greco-Roman 55 to 130 kg (Olympic 60, 67, 77, 87, 97, 130), women 50 to 76 kg (Olympic 50, 53, 57, 62, 68, 76); USA Wrestling 8U boys 40 to 85 lb, 10U 49 to 120, 12U 58 to 160, 14U 75 to 225, 16U 88 to 285, Junior 100 to 285, girls listed separately.
UWW Article 38: 1 point for a step-out ('one entire foot' in the protection zone), a reversal, or to the opponent of a passive wrestler who fails to score in the 30-second activity period; 2 points for a takedown by 'passing behind (three out of the seven possible points of contact must be touching the mat simultaneously)', a throw to the stomach or flank, or exposing the back 'at an angle of less than 90 degrees'; 4 points for a standing hold into the danger position 'in a continuous and dynamic manner' or a short-amplitude lift into danger; 5 points for 'All grand amplitude throws executed in a standing position which place the defending wrestler to a direct and immediate danger position'. Technical superiority (Article 43) at '8 points difference in Greco Roman style and 10 points difference in Freestyle'. Fall (Article 42): both shoulders on the mat long enough for the referee to confirm control. Folkstyle NFHS 2024-25: takedown 3 points; near fall 2, 3 or 4 points for 2, 3 or 4 seconds; technical fall at a 15-point advantage (Rule 5-11-4a, per the WIAA summary of the 2024-25 changes), concluded when near-fall criteria end. NCAA: 3-point takedown since 2023-24, 3-point near fall, hand-touch takedown eliminated; escape 1 point when 'the offensive wrestler loses control of the opponent'; reversal 2 points when 'the defensive wrestler comes from the defensive position and gains control'.
APFC's own rule
There are no youth cage bouts. Wisconsin licenses professional and amateur MMA contestants only at 18 or older (SPS 192.06(2)(a), https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/SPS%20192.06). Illinois registers amateur MMA contestants only at 18 or older (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1370.710(c), https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/068/068013700F07100R.html; https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/illinois/Ill-Admin-Code-tit-68-SS-1370.710). Members under 18 train and grade in every discipline and compete in the component arts under their own governing bodies.
The disciplines
Wrestling has no belt or rank system. Progression is measured three ways: (1) age divisions and weight classes, USA Wrestling 8U (born 2019-2020 on the 2027 chart), 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and Junior (grades 9-12), then UWW U15, U17, U20, U23 and Senior; (2) competition tiers, club, then the state series (Wisconsin: Kids Folkstyle State qualifiers and championships, a 'Beginner's Freestyle and Greco State', and the Freestyle and Greco-Roman State), then regional and national events, with membership required to compete in any sanctioned event; (3) coach certification, USA Wrestling Copper (four-hour online course, ages 12 and under) and Bronze (six-hour course, ages 13 and up), 'valid for life', issued only after a background check and SafeSport training.
PROPOSAL for Anthony Pettis to rule; not a governing-body standard
The Level 1 neutral and referee's position basics (stance, motion, level change, penetration step, sprawl, stand-up, switch, bridge), no live wrestling beyond coached situations, headgear issued.
The full USA Wrestling Level 1 curriculum (double, single, snap and spin, half nelson, cradle, rides), first folkstyle rules, live goes from set positions.
Freestyle and Greco-Roman introduction (step-outs, exposure, par terre, throws on the crash pad), full-length live wrestling at the age division's period lengths, milestone the Wisconsin Beginner's Freestyle and Greco State.
USA Wrestling membership, the state series and national qualifiers, weight management under the AAP and NFHS 1.5 percent-per-week rules, Bronze-certified coaching for 13 and up.
Wrestling for MMA (adults 18 and over only for bouts), chain wrestling against strikes and the fence, Greco upper-body control, scrambling.
The disciplines
PROPOSAL: a class plan for Anthony Pettis to rule; the round lengths and rules cited inside it are sourced
Jogging, tumbling, bridging, sprawls, stance-and-motion games (proposal; order follows the USA Wrestling Level 1 curriculum).
Shadow drills of the seven basic skills: position, motion, level change, penetration, back step, lift, arch (https://www.themat.com/news/2003/may/18/action-footage-and-drills-for--7687).
One position taught step by step (for example wrist tie to single leg), partner at half speed, the coach using the same names every time ('consistent teaching language', https://www.themat.com/news/2001/may/09/reviewing-the-basic-skills-of--10094).
The same position from different ties and stances, both sides ('skills, not moves', https://www.themat.com/news/2004/june/04/two-thousand-ducks).
30 to 60 second goes from neutral, top and bottom, rotated partners matched by size; period lengths scale with the age division (one-minute periods for 8U and 10U folkstyle, https://www.usawmembership.com/age_group_weight_chart).
Bridges, buddy carries, sprawl-and-shoot intervals.
Skin check reminder, shower-after-practice rule, recap of the day's cue (NFHS skin infection guidance, https://assets.nfhs.org/umbraco/media/1014740/sports_related_skin_infections_position_statement_and_guidelines_-final-april-2018.pdf).
The disciplines
below USA Wrestling's youngest division (8U is born 2019-2020 on the 2027 chart, so ages 6 to 8; https://www.usawmembership.com/age_group_weight_chart). Proposal: a 30-minute movement class (animal walks, bridges, sprawls, balance games, stance-and-motion tag), no live wrestling, no competition, a parent in the room; the federal guideline says preschoolers 'should be active throughout the day' (https://odphp.health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/physical-activity-guidelines/current-guidelines/top-10-things-know).
USA Wrestling 8U, 10U and 12U; folkstyle matches are three one-minute periods for 8U and 10U and 1:00, 1:30, 1:30 for 12U; freestyle and Greco are two two-minute periods (https://www.usawmembership.com/age_group_weight_chart). Headgear is 'recommended, but not required' by USA Wrestling (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_rule_book); the club should issue it, since headgear roughly halves the risk of ear hematoma (26 percent versus 52 percent, Schuller 1989, https://doi.org/10.1001/archotol.1989.01860300068019). The full nelson is illegal for U17 and younger, and referees stop 'potentially dangerous' actions for 14U and younger (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_rule_book). Coaches hold the Copper certification for ages 12 and under (https://www.themat.com/how-to-become-a-coach). A U12 wrestler without 'an official document to validate age' is ineligible (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_rule_book). No weight cutting: the AAP says weight change 'should be achieved gradually' (https://healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Nations-Pediatricians-Cautions-About-Rapid-Weight-Changes-in-Youth-Athletes.aspx).
14U, 16U and Junior with Bronze-certified coaches for 13 and up (https://www.themat.com/how-to-become-a-coach); high school wrestling (NFHS) requires ear guards (https://www.nmact.org/file/2019-20_NFHS_Wrestling_Rules_PowerPoint.pdf) and in Wisconsin a weight plan with 'an average weight loss limit of 1.5% of body weight ... per week' from a skinfold-certified minimum (https://www.wiaawi.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/PDF/Sports/Wrestling/WI-Weight-Management.pdf); WIAA allows five minutes of injury time for head, neck and cervical injuries 'when an appropriate health-care provider is present' (https://www.wiaawi.org/Sports/Winter/Boys-Wrestling/Rules-Regulations); athletes '18 years of age or turning 18 during the membership season' complete SafeSport (https://www.themat.com/membership/membership-levels).
no head contact of any kind, wrestling has no striking and international rules forbid kicking, head-butting, strangling and touching the face 'between the eyebrows and the line of the mouth' (https://cdn.uww.org/2025-12/wrestling_rules.pdf); headgear recommended by USA Wrestling and required in high school; supervision under the 2025 MAAPP, 'All one-on-one In-Program Contact between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must be observable and interruptible, except in emergency circumstances or with a documented exception,' with locker rooms observable and interruptible and no recording devices in changing areas (https://uscenterforsafesport.org/2025-maapp/), and every USA Wrestling Leader passing 'a mandatory background screening' and SafeSport (https://www.themat.com/membership/membership-levels); skin screening before weigh-in (https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_rule_book), with a first episode of herpes gladiatorum keeping a wrestler out 'for a minimum of 10 days' and ringworm needing 72 hours of antifungal treatment (NFHS, https://assets.nfhs.org/umbraco/media/1014740/sports_related_skin_infections_position_statement_and_guidelines_-final-april-2018.pdf).
amateur MMA contestants must be 18 in Wisconsin ('Be at least 18 years of age', SPS 192.06(2)(a), https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/SPS%20192.06) and Illinois ('A registrant must be at least 18 years of age', https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/illinois/Ill-Admin-Code-tit-68-SS-1370.710).
The disciplines
High school boys' wrestling injury rate 2.38 per 1,000 athlete-exposures (2005-06 through 2013-14) against 9.28 in college (2004-05 through 2013-14; rate ratio 3.89); the most injured body parts in high school were the head/face (19.9 percent of practice injuries, 21.4 percent in competition) and the shoulder/clavicle, in college the knee and head/face (Kroshus et al., Journal of Athletic Training 2018;53(12):1143-1155).
doi.orgIn 2005-06 high school wrestling had 2.33 and college 7.25 injuries per 1,000 athlete-exposures; matches carried a higher rate than practice (rate ratio 2.12 in high school, 5.07 in college); skin infections were 8.5 percent of high school events and 20.9 percent of college events (Yard et al., American Journal of Sports Medicine 2008;36(1):57-64).
doi.orgAmong 25 NCAA sports from 2009-10 to 2013-14, men's wrestling had the highest concussion rate, '10.92 per 10,000 AEs', against an overall 4.47 (Zuckerman et al., American Journal of Sports Medicine 2015).
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govSkin infections ran at 14.23 per 10,000 athlete-exposures in NCAA men's wrestling (112 infections in 87 athletes, 2009-10 to 2013-14); 22.3 percent were recurrent and 89.3 percent were identified in practice (Herzog et al., Journal of Athletic Training 2017;52(5):457-463).
doi.orgOf 537 NCAA Division I wrestlers surveyed, auricular hematoma occurred in 26 percent of headgear wearers versus 52 percent of non-wearers; 39 percent reported a permanent ear deformity (10.6 percent of injuries with headgear, 26.6 percent without); only 35.2 percent wore headgear all the time in practice (Schuller et al., Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 1989;115(6):714-717).
doi.orgThree collegiate wrestlers died between November 7 and December 9, 1997 cutting weight by food and fluid restriction, vapor-impermeable suits and exercise in hot rooms; the CDC recommended banning intentional dehydration and that a health professional 'should identify an appropriate competition weight.'
cdc.govThe AAP (2017) warns that cutting weight by 'fasting, restricting fluid intake and sweating' risks reduced strength and stamina, impaired cognition, 'Delayed physical maturation and impaired growth,' mood changes and eating disorders, and says weight change 'should be achieved gradually.'
healthychildren.orgWisconsin high school wrestlers follow 'an average weight loss limit of 1.5% of body weight at the time of initial Minimum Wrestling Weight per week' from a skinfold-certified minimum, tracked daily in a descent plan.
wiaawi.orgNFHS skin-infection guidance (revised April 2018): a first episode of herpes gladiatorum means no practice or competition 'for a minimum of 10 days'; ringworm needs 'a minimum of 72 hours' of antifungal treatment; MRSA cases are removed from practice and competition.
assets.nfhs.orgNFHS tightened the leg block or cut-back rule (7-1-5n) for 2025-26 'In an effort to minimize risk of injury in high school wrestling,' making it illegal when the wrestler leaves the feet.
nfhs.orgInternational rules ban the front and side double nelson for U15 and U17 'To protect the health of young wrestlers,' and ban throat holds, twisting arms more than 90 degrees, stretching the spine and throwing a bridging opponent down.
cdn.uww.orgUnder the 2025 MAAPP, all one-on-one in-program contact between an adult participant and a minor athlete 'must be observable and interruptible,' including in locker rooms and changing areas, where recording devices are banned.
uscenterforsafesport.orgThe disciplines
Youth sport participation is associated with improved self-esteem, more social interaction and fewer depressive symptoms (systematic review of 30 studies; most were cross-sectional, so causality is not established).
doi.orgFor adults, sport participation is associated with wellbeing and reduced distress and stress, and 'club-based or team-based sport seems to be associated with improved health outcomes.'
doi.orgAmong 1,793 elite athletes aged 11 to 20 measured by DEXA, male 'wrestlers had significantly more developed skeletomuscular robusticity and bone mineral density' than the age-group average.
doi.orgThe AAP policy on organized sports for children, preadolescents and adolescents reviews the benefits and risks of participation and says parental support focused on 'development and fun instead of winning' is a key factor in enjoyment.
doi.orgYouth ages 6 through 17 need 'at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity' daily plus 'activities that make their muscles and bones strong'; a wrestling practice supplies both.
odphp.health.govWrestling transfers to MMA: after Anthony Pettis won the UFC title, Bleacher Report wrote that 'working with Askren and Roufusport has obviously paid big dividends for Pettis' in his wrestling.
bleacherreport.comThe disciplines
Sourced: Pettis holds a third-degree black belt in taekwondo (https://www.ufc.com/athlete/anthony-pettis) and began taekwondo and boxing at age 5 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Pettis); he was the final WEC lightweight champion (December 16, 2010, WEC 53, unanimous decision over Benson Henderson) and UFC lightweight champion from August 31, 2013 (UFC 164, armbar over Henderson) to March 14, 2015 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Pettis; https://www.ufc.com/athlete/anthony-pettis). His link to wrestling is as a student of it. His UFC debut, the TUF 13 Finale on June 4, 2011, was a 30-27 unanimous-decision loss to Clay Guida, whose 'takedown attempts again proved to be unstoppable' and who 'took Pettis' back where he remained for the remainder of the bout' (https://www.ufc.com/news/tuf-13-finale-main-card-results-guida-shuts-down-showtime-ferguson-wins-tuf-13-crown); Guida 'was successful on five of eight take-down attempts' (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/723777-the-ultimate-fighter-13-finale-results-clay-guida-outwrestles-anthony-pettis). In April 2011 Ben Askren, 'a two-time national champion ... while at Missouri' and 'a 2008 U.S. Olympian in freestyle wrestling,' announced he would move to Milwaukee to train under Duke Roufus at Roufusport, Pettis's gym (https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bellator-Champ-Askren-MilwaukeeBound-Set-to-Join-Roufusport-Camp-31477), and after Pettis won the UFC title Bleacher Report wrote that 'working with Askren and Roufusport has obviously paid big dividends for Pettis' (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1757936-benson-henderson-vs-anthony-pettis-2-what-went-right-for-showtime). He co-owns the Roufusport MMA Academy with Roufus and Scott Joffe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Pettis). On November 28, 2026 he is scheduled to wrestle in the main event of RAF 15 at NOW Arena in Chicago, 'Tsarukyan vs Pettis,' for Real American Freestyle, 'the first unscripted pro wrestling league' (https://realamericanfreestyle.com/): he replaced Donald Cerrone, who withdrew, and challenges Arman Tsarukyan for the RAF middleweight crossover title (https://boxingnews.com/news/tsarukyan-pettis-raf-15-wrestling/, October 27, 2026; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Pettis). Not confirmed: any scholastic or college wrestling career (one secondary biography claims it; neither UFC.com nor Wikipedia mentions it).
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The disciplines