The aim of the sport 

Two players are pitted against each other in a timed contest.   Each attempts to make scores by throwing their opponent onto his back and/or holding their opponent down on his back for a certain amount of time.   In competitions which involve adults and older juveniles, scores may also be made by attempting strangle holds and armlocks.   The players are roughly matched in weight and, in junior contests, also by age and experience.

As players progress in the sport, learning new techniques and developing their skills, they progress through a series of grades which are denoted by the colour of the belt worn by the player.