Amateur Wrestling
- February 16, 2022
- TFG Team
- Wrestling
Amateur wrestling is a part of the wrestling combat sport, which involves grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins, and other grappling holds.
A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two (occasionally more) competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position.
There is a wide range of wrestling styles with varying rules with both traditional historic and modern styles. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into other martial arts as well as military hand-to-hand combat systems.
Table of Contents
What Is Amateur Wrestling?
Amateur wrestling is a form of competition and a general term for the organized sport of wrestling practiced at all levels worldwide. Modern wrestling exists in two major forms: Greco-Roman and freestyle.
The Basics of Amateur Wrestling
Wrestling basics are pretty much the same in all types of amateur wrestling. In Greco-Roman, the wrestlers compete in two weight classes. A wrestler can win a match by pinning both shoulders of his opponent to the mat. His opponent, meanwhile, must try to throw him off and place both of his shoulders on the mat with his legs in the air.
In freestyle wrestling, two wrestlers of the same weight class compete against each other. The most common rule is to allow wrestlers to score only when they bring their opponents down to the mat. The wrestler who brings his opponent down to the mat and is able to pin his shoulders to the mat wins the bout.
The scoring system for freestyle wrestling is different from the scoring and rules of Greco-Roman wrestling. Freestyle wrestling allows only moves, holds, and techniques that don’t cause the opponents to touch the mat with a part of their body that is below the knee. A wrestler who illegally uses a hold score, point against himself.
Amateur Wrestling Rules in a Nutshell
The purpose of Amateur wrestling is to show superior technique and skill as compared to one’s opponent. Unlike Greco-Roman, the upright position is not required in Freestyle wrestling, allowing for takedowns and throws from any position.
However, the wrestler cannot win by leaving their feet if it is not done in a controlled fashion, i.e., without impacting the opponent.
Moreover, American high school and college wrestling is conducted under different rules. For example, in collegiate wrestling, the starting position is on the mat, with one wrestler on his back and the other standing. A match may be won via a pin, forfeit, technical fall (a margin of 15 points), or a major decision (which is similar to an 11-point win).
In addition, there are two types of matches: the dual meet and the tournament. The dual meet format has each team member competing in a match against an opponent, with the first to win two of three periods declared the winner. In a tournament, several wrestlers from one team compete in a bracket-style elimination event.
What’s the Difference Between Amateur and Pro Wrestling?
The difference between amateur and pro wrestling is reflected in many ways: rules, weight levels, equipment, and how athletes are trained.
Additional differences are that amateur wrestlers are less likely to have many years of experience in wrestling, while professionals often have twenty or more years.
Also, professional wrestlers do not have to worry about head-butting or back-flips, and they often have a limited set of holds. This makes the sport easier to learn and perform.
In addition, the amateur wrestler must sign up for a weight class before competing, while professionals can compete in whatever weight class they choose. Another difference is the coaching styles of professional and amateur wrestlers.
The amateur wrestler usually has one coach to teach him the techniques, while the professional wrestler has several coaches to choose from and can switch if he is not satisfied with his first choice.
Does Amateur Wrestling Help a Wrestler’s Career?
There is no doubt that many wrestlers have gone from amateurs to professionals, the most famous being the wrestler Hulk Hogan. In addition, many wrestlers from all over the world have been able to turn this sport into a lucrative career.
This is especially true for amateur wrestlers such as Kurt Angle, Dave Schultz, and Dan Gable who have been inducted into the Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Does Amateur Wrestling Have a Referee?
A wrestling referee supervises the bout, while a judge and a mat chairman are positioned elsewhere in the arena. If there is a close call at the edge of the mat, the referee will go to that edge and watch for himself. The judge’s job is to determine control of the opponent in order to award points, while the mat chairman watches for penalties.
Why Is Real Wrestling Called Amateur Wrestling?
Real wrestling is called amateur wrestling because this sport was first organized as an amateur-style contest. This means that the wrestlers were competing for the love of the sport rather than for money. This is why amateur wrestling has rules that are different from professional wrestling which is considered fake.
Can I Watch Amateur Wrestling Matches on the Internet?
Amateur wrestlers are not able to compete professionally, so there is no place for them in the Olympics. However, there are many amateur tournaments around the world every year, and you can watch them on the Internet.
These matches feature wrestlers who do not want to become professionals but would rather compete in the sport they love for fun and glory.
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