Since this is summer, I would like to discuss Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Most summer wrestling is Freestyle and Greco-Roman, which culminates with the Cadet and Junior Nationals (held in Fargo, North Dakota in July). Many wrestlers, not just in Kentucky, are hesitant to wrestle Freestyle and/or Greco because they are unfamiliar with it. If you look at national rankings throughout the high school season, the majority of the wrestlers ranked in the top 10 wrestle Freestyle and Greco. I would like to explain some of the differences between Folkstyle (High School) and Freestyle

FOLKSTYLE:

• Emphasis on Control
• 2 pts for gaining control (i.e. takedown/reversal)
• 1 pt. for a loss of control (i.e. escape)
• Attacking wrestler does not always score
• Once a takedown is earned, wrestlers will remain in that position until there is a change in position (i.e. escape or reversal)
• Supporting points (i.e. toes) must remain inbounds to score out-of-bounds
• Wrestler must expose his/her opponent’s back to the mat at a 45° or less to score near-fall points
• Wrestler receives a 2 pts. near-fall for exposing his/her opponent’s back from 2-4 seconds and a 3 pt. near-fall for exposing for 5 seconds
• Wrestler who takes his/her opponent from his/her feet to their back earns 2 pts. for a takedown (plus any possible near-fall pts)
• Shoulders and/or scapulae must be in contact with the mat for 2 seconds to earn a fall
• Wrestler wins the match by scoring more points than his/or her opponent
• Technical superiority is achieved when there is a 15 pt. differential
• Wrestlers are not penalized for stepping out-of-bounds
• Wrestlers are NOT allowed to execute a ‘high amplitude thow” from feet to back (i.e. belly to back suplay)
• Wrestlers are forbidden from locking their hands around their opponent’s body while on the mat

FREESTYLE

• Control is important, but not essential to score
• 1 pt. for gaining control (i.e. takedown/reversal)
• Attacking wrestler is rewarding for initiating action
• Once control (i.e. takedown) is earned, the top wrestler must make an attempt to turn his/her opponent. If the wrestler can not turn his/her opponent, the wrestlers are brought up to a neutral position
• If action is started in bounds, it may score out of bounds (without any supporting points)
• Wrestler gains 2 pts. for exposing his opponent’s back to the mat at a 90° or less
• Wrestler receives a “hold down” point for exposing his/her opponent’s back for 5 seconds
• Wrestler who takes his/her opponent from his/her feet to their back earns 3 pts. (plus a possible “hold down” pt.)
• Shoulders and/or scapulae must be in contact with the mat 1 second (for Cadets and above) or 2 seconds (for Schoolboys and below) to earn a fall
• Wrestler wins the match by winning 2 out of 3 periods
• Technical superiority is achieved where there is a 6 pt. differential (this wins a period)
• Wrestlers give up 1 pt. for stepping out-of bounds
• Wrestlers are allowed to execute a ‘high amplitude thow” from feet to back (i.e. belly to back suplay). This would be scored as a 5 pt. throw
• Wrestler’s are allowed to lock their hands around their opponent’s body while on the mat

This is just a basic list of differences. Greco-Roman rules are basically the same as Freestyle. The only difference is that grasping and/or the use of legs offensively and defensively are prohibited.

If anyone has any comments or questions, feel free to contact me (gpikul@hotmail.com) and let me know.
Thanks.