🏆 Tournament Types at a Glance
Double Elimination Brackets
The most common format in American wrestling. Every wrestler gets at least two matches (unless they win the whole thing). After two losses, you're eliminated.
How It Works
All wrestlers start here. Win and advance toward the finals.
First loss drops you here. You can still place, but you're fighting for 3rd-8th.
Second loss and you're done. Thanks for competing!
Placing in Double Elimination
| Place | How to Earn | Team Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Win the finals | 16 |
| 2nd | Lose the finals | 12 |
| 3rd | Win consolation finals | 9 |
| 4th | Lose consolation finals | 7 |
| 5th | Win 5th place match | 5 |
| 6th | Lose 5th place match | 3 |
*Team points vary by tournament
💡 Pro Tip: The "Pigtail"
When bracket sizes don't fit perfectly (e.g., 9 wrestlers in a 16-man bracket), some wrestlers have "pigtail" matches—extra first-round bouts. The winner moves into the main bracket.
Round Robin Format
Every wrestler in the bracket wrestles every other wrestler. Most matches guaranteed, but can take a long time with larger groups.
✅ Pros
- • Maximum mat time for all wrestlers
- • No "bad draw" — you face everyone
- • Great for development
- • Head-to-head determines tiebreakers
❌ Cons
- • Takes much longer
- • Only works with small groups (4-6)
- • Can feel anticlimactic
- • Tiebreaker rules can be confusing
Matches in Round Robin
Pool Play to Bracket
A hybrid format common in large youth tournaments. Wrestlers are divided into small pools (round robin), then the top finishers advance to a championship bracket.
Typical Structure
Groups of 4-5 wrestlers. Round robin within your pool. Everyone gets 3-4 matches.
Pool winners and runners-up seed into championship bracket. Third place may go to consolation bracket or be eliminated.
Single or double elimination bracket to determine final placements.
⚠️ Note: Pool play means you might face the same opponent twice—once in pools and once in brackets. This is normal and can be advantageous if you learned from the first match!
Dual Meets
Team vs team competition. One match at each weight class. Team with the most combined points wins.
Team Scoring in Duals
| Result | Team Points |
|---|---|
| Pin (Fall) | 6 points |
| Technical Fall (15+ point lead) | 5 points |
| Major Decision (8-14 point margin) | 4 points |
| Decision (1-7 point margin) | 3 points |
| Forfeit / Default / DQ | 6 points |
Dual Meet Strategy
Coaches think strategically about match order and lineup:
- • Build momentum — Start with strong wrestlers
- • Protect leads — Avoid giving up pins when ahead
- • Fill weights — Empty weights = 6 free points for opponent
- • Bonus points matter — Pins and techs swing duals
How Seeding Works
Seeds determine bracket placement. Higher seeds get favorable positions (avoiding each other until later rounds).
Common Seeding Methods
- #1Record-based: Win-loss record and placement at qualifying tournaments
- #2Ranking-based: State or regional rankings (like MatMetrics Elo!)
- #3Coaches' vote: Coaches submit rankings, committee decides
- #4Random draw: No seeding — everyone has equal bracket position
📊 Seed Placement in 16-Man Bracket
Seeds are placed to keep top wrestlers apart until later rounds:
State Championship Format
State tournaments typically use modified double elimination with specific rules about wrestlebacks and placing.