The passivity zone that is orange coloured, is provided for the purpose of detecting the passive wrestler; it is also intended to help eliminate systematic wrestling on the edge of the mat and any departures from the wrestling area.

Any hold or action begun on the central wrestling area and ending within that zone are valid including position of danger, counterattack and fall.

Any hold or counter attack begun in the standing position on the central wrestling area of the mat (apart from the passivity zone) is good, regardless of the place where it finishes (wrestling area, passivity zone or protection area). However, if it ends in the protection area, the bout is stopped and the wrestlers are returned to the centre of the mat. In the standing position, points will be awarded according to the value of the hold.

A fall in the protection area is not valid. The bout must be interrupted and the wrestlers returned in standing position to the centre of the mat because the hold ended off the mat.

An action, which is not evaluated with points in the wrestling area, can also not be evaluated with points in the protection area. Only 1 point for going out of bound will be given to one of the wrestlers.

As a general rule for going-out-of-bounds without executing a successful hold, the wrestler who stepped out first will lose 1 point (meaning that his opponent will be awarded with 1 point). If both wrestlers go out of bounds together, the referee will have to determine which wrestler touched to protection area first and award his opponent with one point.

In case a wrestler executes a hold with no success and finds himself underneath in the protection area and in neutral position controlled by his opponent (his opponent doesn't do any move to reach that position), he will lose 1 point because going out of bound from standing position first. In the case he lands on his back on the protection area with a control from his opponent, he will lose 2 points.

In the execution of their started holds and actions, and which have begun on the central surface of the mat, the wrestlers can enter the passivity zone with three or four feet and continue their actions or holds in all directions, provided that nothing interrupt the execution of their hold (pushing, blocking, pulling).

An action or a hold may not be commenced in a standing position in the passivity zone, except under the strict condition that the wrestlers engaged in the hold have only two feet in the zone. In this case, the referee will tolerate the situation for a limited period of time, waiting for the hold to be developed.

If the wrestlers interrupt their action in the passivity zone and stay there or if without any action they place two, three or four feet there, the referee interrupts the bout and brings the wrestlers back to the centre, the bout resumes in standing position.

In all cases, in standing position, if one of the attacking wrestler's foot is in the protection area, which is outside the passivity zone, the referee will not interrupt the bout and will wait for action to be completed.

When the defending wrestler's foot is in the protection area, but the attacking wrestler carries out a hold without interruption, the hold is good. If the attacking wrestler does not carry out the hold, the referee interrupts the bout.

When the defending wrestler places one of his foot in the passivity zone, the referee must call 'ZONE' in a loud voice. Upon hearing this word, the wrestlers must endeavour to return towards the centre of the mat without interrupting their action.

In wrestling in "parterre" position, any action, hold or counterattack executed from or in the passivity zone is good, even if it ends in the protection area.

The referee and judge will award points for all actions initiated in "parterre" position in the passivity zone and executed in the protection area. However, the bout will be interrupted and the wrestlers returned to the centre in a standing position.

In wrestling in "parterre" position, the attacking wrestler may continue his action if he moves out of the zone while executing the hold, provided that the shoulders and head of his opponent are within the zone. In this case, even four legs may be off the mat.