In order to encourage risk-taking during bouts, when a wrestler tries unsuccessfully to execute a hold and finds himself underneath in a "parterre" position without a move by his opponent, the wrestler above will not be awarded a technical point and both wrestlers will be brought back to their feet immediately. However, if, during a hold, the defending wrestler executes a counterattack and is able to bring his opponent to the ground, he will be awarded the point(s) that correspond to the action.

If the attacking wrestler executes a hold on his own bridge, holds this position for a certain amount of time, and then completes his action by placing his opponent in the bridge position as well, he will not be penalised. Only the attacking wrestler will be awarded the points, as he will have completed the action in a hold that involved risks. However, if the offensive wrestler is blocked under control in the bridge position or by a counteraction by his opponent, it is clear that points will be awarded to the latter wrestler.

The same hold executed in standing position has always more value as if executed in parterre position. The value of a hold is always determined by the position of the attacked wrestler. If the attacked wrestler has at least one knee on the mat, his position will be assumed to be a "parterre" wrestling position. The position of the attacking wrestler is not be relevant when evaluating a hold.

Furthermore, the wrestler on whom a hold was initiated may only be awarded points if, by his own action, he has:

a) Brought the offensive wrestler to the ground.

b) Conducted the action on a continuous basis.

c) Succeeded in controlling the offensive wrestler by blocking him in a bridge position, that is, in a position considered completed.

d) The referee must wait for the end of each situation prior to awarding the point values earned by each wrestler.

e) In cases where the wrestlers' actions lead them to change from one position to another, the points for all the actions are awarded according to their value.

f) The instantaneous fall, "both shoulders of the wrestler touching simultaneously and instantaneously the mat", is not considered as a fall (totally controlled by the opponent) (article 44). If the wrestler falls instantly from a standing position following a move by his opponent, the attacker receives four points provided he demonstrates control and his opponent shall not be awarded by 1 point for instantaneous fall.

g) Rolling from one shoulder to the other using the elbows in the bridge position, and vice-versa, is considered to be only one action.

h) A hold must not be considered to be a new action until the competitors return to the initial position.

i) The referee will indicate the points. If the judge agrees, he will raise the bat bearing the colour and value in question (1, 2, 4 (or 5 points in GR). In the event of any disagreement between the referee and the judge, the mat chairman must make a decision in favour of one or the other of the wrestlers; he is not allowed to give a different opinion, except if he calls for a consultation and obtains majority.

j) In the event of a fall that occurs at the end of regulation time, only the sound of the gong (and not the referee's whistle) is valid.

k) At the end of a period, any hold is valid if it was completed before the gong sounded. In no event may a hold finished after the sound of the gong be counted.