Purpose

The purpose of this tournament is to create and promote a competition in which fighters practice historical, non-lethal, techniques found in early 13th through 16th century manuscripts on wrestling. These rules have been written and rewritten with the safety of the fighters, historical accuracy, and practice of such techniques in mind.

This tournament aims to put to use practical applications of historical wrestling techniques in a modern fighter's context and usage. As such, the use of certain modern wrestling techniques have been prohibited. (see Forbidden Techniques)

Though there is historical context of jacketed wrestling, many manuals have done without, as such, this will be a non-jacketed event. This will disallow certain techniques but lower the barrier of entry.

This event is meant to be full contact and high intensity; however, fighters will be expected to conduct themselves in a safe and respectful manner. Fighters will be expected to be able to: fall without injury, be in reasonably good health, and have a moderate level of experience in grappling at intensity with a resisting opponent.

Weight Limits and/or Divisions will be announced closer to the event date.

Format

This wrestling tournament will consist of 1 day of events in 2 phases. These phases will be a set of double elimination rounds followed by the phase of final rounds

Phase 1: Elimination rounds will consist of matches fought continuously under a 3 minute time limit, or until either fighter lands 2 throws. These throws will pause the time clock leading to a reset to neutral position. If no throws are landed in the 3 minute round, a second 2 minute round will take place where the first throw will decide the match. If neither fighter can land a successful throw in these 2 rounds both fighters will be moved to the lower bracket.

Phase 2: Final rounds will consist of matches fought continuously under a 5 minute time limit. The first fighter to land 3 successful throws will win the match. All successful throws will pause the time clock, reset the fighters into neutral, then proceed. If no fighter successfully lands 3 successful throws, the time clock will reset to 3 minutes and the first successful throw will win the match. If neither fighter manages to land a successful throw within the 3 minutes, the time clock will be reset to 2 minutes and the first fighter to force their opponent to 3 points of contact with the mat will win the match.

Fighters will be paired by random draw for both elimination and final rounds.

Equipment and Hygiene Requirements

Mandatory Requirements

Athletic attire for the lower body
No footwear is to be worn
Upper athletic attire that does not obstruct movement or impede opponent (such as excessively loose or baggy clothing.)
Athletic supporter (optional for women)
All metal jewelry and piercings must be removed
Finger and toenails must be trimmed
Hair beyond the shoulders must be secured
Fighters must be free of all skin, nail, or other infectious diseases
Fighters must be clean and bathed prior to the competition

Optional Requirements

Mouthguard
Soft protection for joints
Head and ear protection

Conditions and Competitive area

Mat layout will consist of a 38’x38’ padded area with a 28’ circle being the competitive area and the outside space being the ring out area, a fighter on either side of the circle. 2 referees will be beside the mat, stopping, starting, and scoring the bouts, with the time keeper and points recorder being sat at a table adjacent to the mats.

Each match will consist of two fighters on the mats and no more than one supporting member outside of the competitive area.

Conduct of Matches

Head referee will announce fighters to approach the mats for the match.
Each fighter will approach the mat in a timely matter and be checked for safety
Fighters will introduce themselves and shake hands before retreating to the assigned corner of the mat.
Referee will call the match to start and begin the timeclock.
Match will proceed as planned until the referee calls a halt due to a successful throw, illegal action, equipment or safety failure, or if a fighter is injured.
Match will end, fighters will shake hands, return to their corners to receive final scoring.

In case of a ring out, the referee will call a halt and reset fighters back to the center in a neutral position before restarting the match.

Scoring Criteria

Victory conditions consist of successfully completing throws in which the fighter maintains complete control in the time allotted. In the case of one fighter scoring more than zero but less than the total number of throws required to win the match, the fighter with the most successful throws wins the match. In the case of Zero successful throws please see the Format section.

A successful throw is determined as any technique which forces the opponent to the ground while maintaining full control, any technique that lifts and drops an opponent to their back or side, or any technique that causes an opponent to fall, trip, or flip against their will. A throw will be immediately scored if the fighter's back lands flat on the mat, their feet goes above their head against their own will, or a fighter is forced prone against their own will. A throw will also be scored by a fighter that is forced to four points of contact and held to all four points for 15 seconds.

A fighter may touch one knee to the ground intentionally to achieve a dominant position before a throw, gain control and leverage before a throw, or attempt any technique that results in a controlled throw.

Additional victory conditions include sacrifice throws and reversals, whereas the fighter intentionally forces themselves to the ground with their opponent or forces opponent's momentum from a disadvantageous position, as long as the fighter ends in a dominant position and shows complete control while fulfilling the above conditions, otherwise this scores for the opponent.

A dominant position allows techniques where you use your body to subdue and control an opponent's movement and attempts to attack.

A dominant position in wrestling is when one wrestler has a clear advantage over their opponent, restricting their mobility and ability to attack. The wrestler on top is usually considered to be in control, while the opponent is in an inferior position.

Penalties and Safety warnings

Any fighter or spectator may be disqualified and expelled from the tournament for violations of safety or conduct.

Any fighter may be ejected from a match and given a loss by misconduct or violation of safety rules by any member of the safety team or referee.

All fighters and supporting members will be subject to a three warning safety system. Any fighter subject to two safety warnings will automatically lose the match. Any fighter to receive three safety warnings will be disqualified and asked to leave the tournament, these will be cumulative over the course of the event and will be tracked by the judges at the scoring table. Warnings are to be issued by referees and any member of the safety team assigned to the event.

Forbidden Techniques

Strangling / front chokes
Striking of any kind (sweeps and reaps of the legs are allowed*)
Biting, scratching, or poking
Gouging of the eyes or sensitive areas
Small joint manipulation
Intentionally throwing opponent in an unsafe manner as in on the head or neck
Any technique designed intentionally to deliberately injure or debilitate your opponent.
Grabbing and use of clothing in throws
“Flying” techniques
Techniques that target major joints that could cause significant damage (such as manipulation of a hinge joint the opposite way)

*A sweep or a reap of the leg is defined as any forceful movement of the opponent's leg with your own in a sweeping motion as in like a kick but with minimal force and no impact.

Minor Violations

Stalling
Ring outs to avoid be thrown
Covering your opponents nose or mouth to prevent breathing
Intentional cause of equipment failure

Conduct Violations

Poor sportsmanship
Abusive language
Inappropriate touching

Fighters must act in a prudent and reasonable manner at all times to avoid injury to themselves, opponents, staff, and spectators. Any fighter who acts in an unsafe or malicious manner will be disqualified from participation at the organizers discretion.

Injuries

No fighter, staff, or spectator will enter the competitive area to assist with an injury unless they are a qualified medical staff or asked to help by a medical professional.

An injured fighter will be allowed a 3 minute period to decide if they are well enough to continue. If a fighter is not well enough to continue, the match is forfeited. A warning will be issued to the opposing fighter if the injury was a result of a reckless, but not intentional illegal or malicious manner.

In all cases of injury, the referees and tournament organizers will determine if the injury is a result of malicious intent. Any fighter who is found to have intentionally hurt their opponent will be immediately disqualified.

Any intentional injury inflicted on any other party will result in automatic disqualification and removal from the tournament.

Addendum - Summary of Changes

Updated the throw conditions section
Updated restriction and penalty section
Updated points of contact requirements
Updated amount of referees
Updated mat size