Olympic wrestling matches consist of two periods each lasting three minutes. In between the two periods is a 30-second break. All points earned during those two periods are cumulative, and unless the match ends early (by pin, technical superiority, disqualification, or injury), the wrestler with the most points at the end of the match will be declared the winner.

In Olympic wrestling matches, technical points are awarded as follows. Note that penalty points are added to the opposing wrestler's score, rather than subtracted from the offending wrestler's total.

1 point:

• To the wrestler whose opponent steps out into the protection zone with one entire foot (in standing position) without executing a hold
• All the stops of bout by injury without bleeding or any visible injury are penalized by 1 point to the opponent
• To the wrestler whose opponent requested a challenge if initial decision is confirmed
• To the opponent of a wrestler designated as passive who fails to score points during a 30-second activity period (in freestyle)
• Reversal (counterattack by dominated wrestler in par terre position and passing behind)
• To the attacking wrestler whose opponent commits illegal actions or acts of brutality (in freestyle)
• To the attacking wrestler whose opponent flees the hold and the mat
• To the attacking wrestler whose opponent commits an illegal hold during the execution of an engaged hold (in freestyle)
• To the wrestler whose opponent commits an offensive foul, after the first warning
• To the top wrestler whose opponent refuses correct “par terre” position, after the first verbal warning (in freestyle)
• To the wrestler who finally succeeds in completing the hold even if his opponent is doing an irregular hold (in freestyle)
• To the wrestler whose opponent is called for a first or second passivity (in Greco-Roman)

2 points:

• To the wrestler who overcomes and then controls his opponent by passing behind (three points of contact: two arms and one knee or two knees and one arm or head or elbow)
• To the wrestler who applies a correct and complete throw that brings his opponent into a prone position or lateral position or a position with three points of contact; the defensive wrestler must lose control during the throw
• To the wrestler who executes a hold that places his opponent's back at an angle of less than 90 degrees, including when his opponent is on one or two outstretched arms
• To the attacking wrestler whose opponent rolls onto his shoulders
• To the wrestler who blocks his opponent in the execution of a hold from the standing position, in a position of danger
• To the attacking wrestler whose opponent commits any illegal actions or acts of brutality (in Greco-Roman)
• To the attacking wrestler whose opponent commits an illegal hold during the execution of an engaged hold (in Greco-Roman)
• To the top wrestler whose opponent refuses correct “par terre” position, after the first verbal warning (in Greco-Roman)
• To the wrestler whose opponent flees the mat in a danger position
• To the attacking wrestler whose opponent commits a foul in a danger position

4 points:

• To the wrestler performing a hold in a standing position, which brings his opponent into a danger position in a continuous and fluid manner
• For any hold executed by raising a wrestler from the ground and bringing his opponent into a danger position, over a short amplitude, even if one or both of the attacking wrestler’s knees are on the ground.
• To the wrestler who executes a grand amplitude hold which does not place the opponent in a direct and immediate danger position
• For any throw executed from standing or par terre where the opponent is completely lifted from the ground and lands on chest or one/two outstretched arms; the defensive wrestler must rotate (any direction) over a short amplitude

5 points:

• All grand amplitude throws executed in a standing position which bring the defending wrestler to a direct and immediate danger position
• The hold executed by a wrestler in the "par terre" position who completely lifts his opponent off the ground with the execution of a high amplitude throw which projects the opponent into a direct and immediate danger position

A wrestler can win by technical fall by demonstrating superiority before time runs out. The threshold for a victory by technical fall is a 10-point lead in freestyle wrestling and an 8-point lead in Greco-Roman wrestling.