Each team consists of 25 or fewer wrestlers with team names derived from the high schools where they practice.

A match is composed of three one-minute periods. There are no ties in wrestling.  Overtime periods continue until there is a winner.

Before their match, the two opposing wrestlers check in at the score table where they are assigned either a red or a green anklet. Then they meet in the center of the mat where they shake hands.

The referee wears a green band on one wrist and a red one on the other, holding up the appropriate hand to signal to the score table when points are awarded.  Points are awarded for a take down, reverse, escape, or near pin (see the chart below) to determine the winner of each match if there is no pin.  A pin is a win no matter what the score is up to that point and the match is over.

The sound of the referee’s whistle starts the match and stops it at the end of each period, if the wrestlers move out of bounds, or if there is a dangerous or illegal move.

The first period always starts with both wrestlers on their feet.  This is called the neutral position.

For the second and third periods, each wrestler gets a chance to pick whether to start in the neutral position or on top or bottom on the mat in what is called the referee’s position.

Each wrestler attempts to pin his or her opponent by holding both shoulder blades on the mat for two seconds.

When the match is over, the wrestlers again meet at the center to shake hands. The referee raises the arm of the winner.

Points are awarded to each team based on the outcome of the individual matches.