THE BASICS OF THE SPORT...
Folkstyle Basics
Objective
The primary objective in folkstyle wrestling is
to gain control of your opponent and to ultimately pin your opponent by holding
your opponent with their back (both shoulder blades simultaneously) on the mat
for a period of at least two seconds.
Match Basics
Wrestling matches consist of three periods. Periods
can vary in length from one minute in duration for younger age groups, to as
long as three minutes for college wrestling. Either wrestler can win the match
at any time if they are able to pin their opponent or develop a lead of more
than 14 points. Otherwise, the wrestler that can accumulate the most points by
the end of the third period (or after overtime in the case of a tie) wins the
match.
There are only two positions from which referees
start, or continue a match. The first is neutral position, with both
wrestlers standing and facing each other. The other is the referee’s
position, where one wrestler starts on his hands and knees down on the mat,
and the other starts on top, behind and in control. The first period always
begins in the neutral position. Each wrestler has their choice in one of the
remaining periods, to choose to start from top or bottom referee’s position, or
in the neutral position. If the action must be stopped before the end of a
period, the referee restarts the wrestlers in the starting position that best
reflects the position the wrestlers were in when the action was stopped.
Scoring
The scoring system is rather simple. Takedowns
(when from a neutral position one wrestler is able to bring the other to the
mat and gain control) are worth two points. Escapes (when the bottom
wrestler is able to break free from the top wrestler and revert back to a
neutral position) are worth one point. Reversals, (when a wrestler on
the bottom is able to reverse the control so that the opponent is on the
bottom) are worth two points.
Back points (also called near fall) are awarded when one wrestler comes
close to pinning the other (i.e. exposing the other wrestler’s back) and are
worth two or three points depending on the length of time that the opponent’s
back is exposed. In addition, penalty points can be awarded when the
opposing wrestler performs illegal moves or is penalized for excessive
stalling.
Sportsmanship
Competition is conducted in a manner as to
promote and require good sportsmanship. Competitors are expected to show
respect to opponents, officials and coaches regardless of the outcome of their
match. Both wrestlers are required to shake hands before and after the match.
It is also common practice for each wrestler to shake the hand of their
opponent’s coach after the match.
Officials
Officiating is more objective than subjective in
that it does not require judging, as with sports such as gymnastics or figure
skating. However, situations can and do occur that are subject to interpretation.
Those situations most often involve out of bounds calls, determination of
when/if control is sufficient to award points, and determination of when/if
stalling or penalties apply.
Equipment
Basic wrestling equipment includes a headgear,
wrestling shoes, and a singlet. Wrestling shoes offer more ankle support than
the traditional shoe and are designed lightweight and tight to the foot to
promote freedom of movement. Headgear can prevent outer ear injuries and
bruises during practice and competition. The standard wrestling uniform, known
as a singlet, is designed to fit snug to the body so that it does not restrict
the movement of either wrestler. Kneepads are sometimes worn by choice.
Freestyle & Greco-Roman Basics
Objective
The primary objective in freestyle and
Greco-Roman wrestling is much the same as with folkstyle, except that other
factors are taken into account such as the skill with which moves are executed,
and the type of holds that is used.
Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling matches are
condensed into one or two periods, depending on the age group. Younger groups
typically wrestle two ninety-second periods. Older groups wrestle one
continuous five-minute period, although FILA has changed this recently. Periods
always begin with both wrestlers in the neutral position.
As with folkstyle wrestling, the match can be
stopped short of the time limit if either wrestler scores a pin or achieves
technical superiority, which in folkstyle and Greco-Roman wrestling is a lead
of ten or more points.
After a takedown situation in which both
wrestlers continue to wrestle down on the mat, known as the “par-tarre”
position, the bottom wrestler is not obligated to work for an escape or reverse
as with folkstyle wrestling. Instead, it is the responsibility of the top
wrestler to work diligently to execute a hold that will expose their opponent’s
back. If the top wrestler is not immediately (officials allow about fifteen
seconds) successful in doing this, the official will stop the match and
re-start the wrestlers on their feet in a neutral position.
Scoring
Control of one’s opponent is less of a concern in
freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Back points are awarded more freely in
that it is only necessary to turn your opponent’s back within 90 degrees of the
mat. Takedowns, escapes and reversals are awarded one point, unless there is
exposure of the back, in which additional points are awarded.
Unlike folkstyle wrestling, it is not necessary
to have control in order to score back points. A wrestler in a defensive
situation can be awarded back points if their opponent’s back makes contact
with the mat in executing an offensive move.
Other variations from folkstyle scoring include
the additional points that can be awarded for takedowns that result in back
exposure. “Grand Amplitude” holds, in which an opponent is lifted from the mat
and brought from a standing position directly to his or her back are good for
five points.
Sportsmanship
As with folkstyle wrestling, both freestyle and
Greco-Roman wrestling mandates sportsman-like conduct. In international
competition, wrestlers are required to shake hands with their opponent and with
the referee before and after the bout.
Officials
Officiating in freestyle and Greco-Roman is
performed in teams of one, two or three officials. When possible three
officials are used. The referee who stands on the mat and controls the action
with his/her whistle is assisted by a judge and a mat chairperson seated on
opposite sides of the mat. All scoring must be agreed upon by two of the three
officials.
Equipment
FILA permits, but does not require, the
use of headgear in international freestyle and Greco-Roman competition. In addition,
wrestlers are required to wear either red or blue singlets, depending on their
match pairing. Other than that, the equipment is identical to that used with
folkstyle wrestling.