General Rules

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General rules are EGW standardised expectations that must be applied or adhered to across all styles of wrestling, for each event.  

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Weight Categories for competitors over the age of 18yrs:

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Flyweight                   55kg 

Bantamweight           59kg  

Featherweight           63kg 

Lightweight                68kg

Welterweight             74kg

Middleweight             82kg

Lightheavyweight      90kg

Heavyweight             100kg

Superheavyweight    100kg+

Openweight               All weights

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Categories for competitors under the age of 18yrs old (7 - 17yrs):

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Under 10yrs 

Under 12yrs

Under 15yrs

Under 18yrs

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Competitors in this category will be matched by age and weight, with a 3kg allowance on weight difference. Weight is measured on the day, and separate to the main categories listed above.

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Competitors who are 17yrs old and weigh a minimum of 55kg may compete in the Adult 18-39yrs categories.

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Catch competitors in this category cannot perform submissions, they can only win by pinning their opponent.

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Categories for competitors between the ages of 18 and 39yrs old:

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Adults - competitors in this category are between the ages of 18 and 39years old. These competitors will wrestle in a chosen weight category as per the above list.

 

Competitors in this category are also eligible to compete in the Openweight category, as well as their specific weight category. 

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Categories for competitors over 40yrs old:

 

This category is for those wrestlers who want to compete but are slowing down in life. Competitors in this category may also enter in to the 18-39yrs category.

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Competitors in this category are also eligible to enter in to all Openweight categories.

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Timescales:

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One style event - 20 minutes per Bout

Multi style event - 10 minutes per Bout

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A one style event is when the whole event is, for example, Catch Wrestling focused, whereas a multi style event is when it includes Backhold and Catch Wrestling bouts.

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A Bout is when two Wrestlers compete against each other in the Wrestling Arena. 

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Injury Time:

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The referee or medical representative has the right to call injury time whenever they feel appropriate.

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Dependant on the injury, this can lead to a decision to terminate the Bout. Such as with excessive bleeding that cannot be stopped within a reasonable time scale, the Bout would be terminated.

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A reasonable timescale is determined by the Bout officials. If after a few minutes, the wrestlers corner/coach or a medic cannot stop the bleeding, then to ensure the remainder of the event runs on time, the match would be terminated. This would be classed as a technical loss to the injured wrestler, and the win would be given to the their opponent.

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Referees Position:

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If either wrestler leaves the wrestling arena in a position of disadvantage, the referee will stop the Bout and bring both wrestlers to the centre of the arena. The Bout is restarted with the losing wrestler in either a kneeling position or a flat stomach position based on the positions of both wrestlers when the Bout was stopped. The dominant wrestler can cover their opponent until the Bout is restarted. 

 

If neither wrestler was in a clear dominant position when the Bout was stopped, both wrestlers are brought to the centre of the arena and restarted in a standing position. 

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Officials:

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1. EGW Event Manager

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The event manager is responsible fro the risk assessment of the venue. They ensure that the wrestling arena is free and clear of obstructions and that there is nothing on the ground that could endanger or injure the wrestlers.

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They are also responsible for the weigh-in and matching of competitors, as well as ensuring that the wrestlers are correctly dressed, not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and cannot injure their opponent in anyway other than by performing permitted wrestling techniques.

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2. Referees

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(i) Each Bout must have a referee.The Bout referee has overall say before, during and after the Bout. From the outset it is their responsibility to inspect the wrestlers skin to ensure that it is dry of oil and grease and is substance free. 

It is the Bout referees responsibility that Bout rules are applied and there is no foul play, through use of illegal techniques.

The Bout referee is responsible for ensuring that the wrestlers safety is paramount at all times.

It is the Bout referees responsibility to ensure that the Bout is stopped quickly, in the event of a pin/fall or submision.

Should the Bout run the full time, the referee decides and declares a winner based on overall dominance of either wrestler.

The referee must also be aware of their surroundings. If a member of the public or an animal walks into the Wrestling Arena, they must stop the Bout until the area is clear and safe.

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Note. Bouts are not determined through points, only a pin/fall or submission, which is dependant on the style being refereed. A Backhold Bout is determined over 3 falls, injury, forfeit, or referees decision. A forfeit is where a wrestler or there corner call a halt to the Bout and signal to the referee that they/the wrestler cannot carryon, in this case the win will be given to their opponent, or the wrestler fails to show up at the edge of the Arena within 2 mins of being called for their Bout.

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(ii) Peripheral Referee (ringside referee). Each Bout must have a Peripheral Refere. It is the responsibility of the peripheral referee to support the Bout referee and advise in case of a query by a wrestler or their corner. They do not have overall say but will support and work with the Bout referee to aid decision making.

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It is vital that referees have intensive concentration during a Bout, to ensure safety of the wrestlers and that decisions can be made quickly. Intervals must be given with a rotation system in place to allow adequate rest periods.

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No referee must officiate more than 2 consecutive Bouts without a break.

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3. Time Keeper

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Each Bout must have an official to keep time. This must be a separate role to the referees.

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The Timekeeper is responsible for ensuring that the clock is accurately managed. If the Bout Referee calls injury time or a halt to the Bout, then the clock should also be paused at the same time.

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4. Medical Team

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Each event must have a suitable Medical Team available to carryout care on wrestlers.

Medics must be appropriately trained and equipped to respond to all types of injuries and critical care that may occur during a Bout of wrestling.

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Medics will work with Bout Referees to advise on Bout continuation in the event of injury.

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Medics will attend to wrestlers after a bout who have suffered injuries, or feel unwell. 

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5. Coaches

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Wrestlers can have up to 2 Coaches/Corner persons during a bout.

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Coaches/Corner persons can call out to their wrestlers during the Bout, however, Wrestlers cannot talk back to them.

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Coachers/Corner Persons must not walk on to the wrestling arena during the Bout. They must stay in their designated areas.

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Wrestlers must not talk to themselves, their opponent, their corner, or any other person during a bout, apart from shouting 'TAP' if they are being submitted or forefeiting the Bout.

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If a Corner Person wants to forefeit the Bout they must clearly signal this intention to the referee by shouting TAP.

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Only Coaches in the corner can speak to their Wrestlers. A Wrestlers Coach must be in the designated corner during the bout, they must not walk around the arena speaking to their Wrestler.

 

A Referee will give Coaches/Corners One warning per Bout. After this, the Referee will ask the Coach/Corner Person to leave the arena. Failure to follow the requests of the Referee may result in the Wrestler also being disqualified.

 

If a wrestler continues to break rules, and/or fail to respond to the Referees requests, they will be disqualified. It is up to the Coach/Corner Persons to ensure their Wrestler maintains rules and discipline throughout their participation in the event.

 

Wrestlers Apparel:

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For all Wrestling styles, Wrestlers are permitted to wear anything that is not going to cause them or their opponent an injury or infringement. 

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Therefore the following items are prohibited from all Bouts:

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• Jewellery (including but not limited to - rings, piercings, necklaces, bracelets)

• Clothing with buttons, press studs or zips.

• Shoes and boots

• Clothing with pockets, hoods or anything that could get fingers or limbs caught in them, or which could cover a wrestlers face

• Oils, grease, lubricants, heat sprays and anything that could cause an opponent to disadvantage, or become unwell.

• Baggy items (all clothing must be tight fitting)

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If the referee feels a wrestler is wearing something that could become a disadvantage to an opponent, or injure them, they will ask the wrestler to remove such item. If this is refused or it is not able to remove such item, then the wrestler may be disqualified. Referees decision is final!

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The Wrestling Arena:

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The area where wrestlers compete in a Bout of Wrestling, under English Grass Wrestling (EGW) is called the Wrestling Arena. 

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The size of the Wrestling Arena is determined by the area of grass at the venue, which must allow adequate safe space for officials and wrestlers tents/gazebos, and spectators. 

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The area must be marked out clearly using, rope or safe fencing and must be marked periodically by orange tape to allow spectators andd members of the public to see it. Floor rope and saw dust can also be used as a safe option.

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The size of the Wrestling Arena must allow adequate space for wrestlers to wrestle safely, while having enough space to move around to perform their techniques without being retricted.

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It is advised that the radius of the Wrestling Arena is a minimum of 20 feet/6.1mtrs.

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Catch Wrestling

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Aim and Objectives:

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The aim of Catch Wrestling is to gain control over your opponent.

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The object of the sport of wrestling is: 

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1. Put your opponent on their back - to pin them.

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A pin (or fall) is when you put your opponent on their back with any part of both shoulders or both should blades in contact with the floor/grass for two seconds. When you pin your opponent, the match is over and you are the winner.

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2. To force your opponent to submit. A submission is when force is used through legitimate technique in a controlled way, causing enough pain that the opponent wishes to concede.

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It is for the wrestler to shout 'Tap' and the match will immediately stop.

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Gentlemans Rules - Unacceptable Techniques:

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• Punching or slapping

• Headbutting-grinding

• Kicking

• Biting

• Eye gouging

• Choking, strangling - no direct contact with the neck. See variations that are allowed in the acceptable techniques section.

• Fish hooks

• Hair grabbing

• Individual finger locks (minimum of 3 fingers). Fingers must not be bent backwards at anytime

• Grabbing of clothing/garments

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Gentlemans Rules - Acceptable Techniques:

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• Foundation techniques

• Submissions (over 18yrs only)

• Ankle locks

• Knee locks

• Hip locks

• Spine locks

• Neck locks

• Shoulder locks

• Elbow locks

• Wrist locks

• Hand locks

• Indirect chokes/strangles, e.g., Inside arm (arm triangles), front face lock (grovit) 

• Cranks

• Turnovers and cradles

• Throws, takedowns (shoots)

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On signal from the referee to confirm pin or submission, the wrestlers must immediately release the hold. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

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Any serious breach of these rules will result in disqualification.

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Wrestlers must stop wrestling immediately when the referee slaps the mat, blows their whistle, or verbally asks the wrestlers to stop wrestling.

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For a successful pin/fall, or submission, the referee will blow their whistle or slap the mat to signal the end of the Bout. If a wrestler is attempting a pin/fall and it is unclear as to whether the shoulders are in the correct position, the referee will use one of their hands to swipe under the pinned wrestler to confirm if their is any gap. The referee will then inform the wrestlers if the pin is not on.

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If a wrestler is being submitted, the submitted wrestler must shout, clearly and loud enough for the referee to hear them. It is not up to the wrestler performing the submission to release the technique until the referee slaps the mat, blows their whistle, or verbally asks the wrestlers to stop wrestling.

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Permitted Clothing:

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The following may be worn by wrestlers during a Bout.

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• Skin tight long or short armed rashguards/top

• Skin tight long or short legged spats or leggings

• Trunks or Vale Tudo shorts

• Bare skin upper torso

• Gum shield

• Groin guard (referees discretion)

• Finger tape

• Bare feet, socks, or catch/freestyle wrestling boots

• Wrestlers ear/headguard (referees discretion)

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Backhold Wrestling

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Aim and Objectives:

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The aim of Backhold Wrestling is to gain control over your opponent and throw them to the floor.

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The object of the sport is to: 

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Throw your opponent so that anything other than the soles of their feet are touching the ground.

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When you throw your opponent and another part of their body, other than the soles of their feet touch the ground the match is over and you are the winner.

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If you throw your opponent and it is deemed that you touched the floor with anything other than the soles of your feet, your opponent wins the Bout.

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Unacceptable Techniques:

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• Any technique that requires a wrestler to break the over-under hold

• Groin strikes

• Headbutting-grinding

• Foot stamping

• Biting

• Spitting

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Acceptable Techniques:

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• Over-under hold (wrestlers must start and maintain throughout the Bout an over-under hold. This hold is locked in with both hands clasped together across the middle back of their opponent. Each wrestler must rest their chin on their opponents shoulder and then step back slightly to create an angle. The match starts when the referee is happy with both wrestlers positions).

• All throws using feet, legs, back, arms, while maintaining the over-under hold.

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On signal from the referee to confirm the win or time limit has been reached, the wrestlers must immediately release the hold. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

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Any serious breach of these rules will result in disqualification.

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Permitted Clothing:

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The following may be worn by wrestlers during a Bout.

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• Traditional Backhold Wrestling clothing (Cumberland and Westmorland, Scottish, International)

• Skin tight long or short armed rashguards/top

• Skin tight long or short legged spats or leggings

• Trunks or Vale Tudo shorts

• Bare skin upper torso

• Gum shield

• Groin guard (referees discretion)

• Bare feet or socks

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Vist the Cumerland and Westmorland Wrestling Association (CWWA) for further details on their rules set. https://www.cwwa.org.uk/

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All rules are subject to change based on direction from key organisations and advancement of Wrestling, for the benefit of fair and safe competition, and to maintain an exciting spectator sport.