How long is a wrestling bout?
B · Beginner · The bout · 6 of 6A senior bout is two periods of three minutes with a 30-second break, six minutes in all. The clock counts down from 6:00 and the points of both periods are added together. Under-17, under-15 and veteran wrestlers have two periods of two minutes. There is no extra period.
How it works
| Age group | Bout |
|---|---|
| Seniors, under-23 and under-20 | 2 periods of 3 minutes, 30-second break |
| Under-17, under-15 and veterans | 2 periods of 2 minutes, 30-second break |
- One wrestler is in red and the other in blue. Before the start the referee checks their dress, that nothing greasy or sticky is on the skin, that they are not sweating and that their hands are bare. They shake hands, and the whistle starts the bout.
- The bout ends early on a fall, technical superiority, an injury or a disqualification.
- A gong ends each period. An action begun as the gong sounds does not count, and nothing done between the gong and the referee's whistle counts.
- In the break the coach may give the wrestler water and must wipe them with a dry towel.
- A wrestler cannot be called for a new bout until 20 minutes after the end of the last one.
- A wrestler is called three times, 30 seconds apart. One who does not come forward after the third call loses by forfeit and is out of the competition.
Tricky cases
Do the points start again in the second period?
No. The winner is found "by the addition of the points in both periods".
A wrestler started a throw as the gong sounded. Does it count?
No. A hold must be completed before time runs out, and an action begun at the gong is not valid.
What happens if the scores are level after six minutes?
The bout is decided on criteria, without extra time.
Why the rule exists
Six minutes at full effort is a long time in a sport with no rest inside the periods. The short bout keeps the pace high, and the single score across both periods means an early lead has to be defended to the end.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UWW rules, seniors, under-23 and under-20 | 2 periods of 3 minutes | W 22 |
| UWW rules, under-17, under-15 and veterans | 2 periods of 2 minutes | W 22 |
From the rule book
United World Wrestling International Wrestling Rules, Articles 22, 23, 25, 27 and 30. Edition dated January 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: UWW International Wrestling Rules (PDF).