Goliath wrestling matches start in a 20-foot-radius circle marked on flat ground, the center of which is clearly marked to indicate where matches will begin. To win a match, a wrestler must pin their opponent, then drag the pinned foe outside the circle while still maintaining the pin.

Matches last for an indeterminate number of 1-minute rounds, with a referee counting out loud so the wrestlers know when their time is up. At the end of each round, the wrestlers break their clinch and have a few moments to rest before returning to the center of the circle.

Goliath wrestling matches follow normal grappling rules, except that making an attack of opportunity against an opponent who's trying to start a grapple is considered cheating.

Damaging an opponent in a wrestling match is considered cheating unless both wrestlers agree before the match begins to allow nonlethal attacks.