The five (5) match rule is a National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rule. In order for all states to be in compliance with the National Federation competition rules, they must follow the five (5) match rule. The out of state tournements in which Saint James Academy participated are all compliant members and do follow the five (5) match rule. The key to obtaining more matches is to attend several two day tournaments which provide pool competition with five (5) matches on Friday and an additional five (5) matches on Saturday, or in the alternative, a pool tournament on Saturday which allows for all participants the potential to wrestle five (5) matches.

The actual rule is:
Rule 1, Section 2, Article 2 (page 6)
No wrestler shall represent the school in more than one weight class in any meet or compete in more than five matches (championship or consolation), including forfeits in any one day.