Freestyle Wrestling Scoring and Rules

What Is Freestyle Wrestling?

Freestyle wrestling is an Olympic sport that has been around since the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896. It is a wrestling style that allows athletes to use their hands and feet to score points, as opposed to Greco-Roman wrestling which only allows holds above the waist. Freestyle wrestling can be done on a mat or on a raised platform.

Freestyle Wrestling Scoring and Points

The scoring in freestyle wrestling is a bit different than in Greco-Roman wrestling. In freestyle, points can be scored with takedowns, escapes, reversals, and near falls.

A takedown is when an athlete takes their opponent to the ground and gains control. An escape is when an athlete gets out from under their opponent, and a reversal is when an athlete reverses their opponent’s position.

A fall (or pin) is worth three points.

A near fall is worth two points.

A reversal is worth two points.

An escape is worth one point.

How Do You Score Points in Freestyle Wrestling?

In order to score points in freestyle wrestling, an athlete must take their opponent to the ground and gain control. Once they have done so, they must maintain control for three seconds in order to score a takedown.

If they are able to do so, they will then earn two points. If they are able to hold their opponent on the ground for three seconds, they will earn a near fall and two points. If an athlete can pin their opponent to the ground, they will earn three points.

How Is the Winner Decided in Freestyle Wrestling?

The winner of a freestyle wrestling match is decided by the number of points earned. If an athlete has more points than their opponent at the end of the match, they will be declared the winner.

If the score is tied at the end of the match, the match will be decided by a best-of-three overtime period. If the score is still tied after the overtime period, the match will be decided by a referee’s decision.

Freestyle Wrestling Rules and Regulations

There are a few other things that you should know about freestyle wrestling. First, an athlete can win the match by either scoring more points than their opponent or by making them submit.

Second, an athlete can only win a match by pinning their opponent to the ground. Third, an athlete can lose the match by either getting pinned or by having more points scored against them than their opponent.

Finally, there are a few other rules that apply, such as the amount of time an athlete has to score a takedown, and how many times an athlete can attack their opponent per minute.

What Are the Time Limits in Freestyle Wrestling?

The time limits in freestyle wrestling vary depending on the age group and weight class. However, most matches last for six minutes. The overtime period is three minutes long.

What Are the Penalties in Freestyle Wrestling?

There are a few penalties that can be assessed in freestyle wrestling. These include warnings, points deducted, and disqualification.

The referee may issue a warning to an athlete if they break the rules. Points may be deducted from an athlete’s score if they break the rules multiple times. An athlete can be disqualified from the match if they break the rules multiple times and/or if they attack their opponent in a violent or dangerous manner.

For example, if a wrestler gets into an out-of-bounds situation, the match is stopped and the opponent gets one point.

What Is Illegal in Freestyle Wrestling?

There are a few things that are illegal in freestyle wrestling, such as biting, hair pulling, and eye-gouging. Additionally, athletes are not allowed to grab their opponent’s genitals, and they cannot attack their opponent’s back or neck.

How Many Attacks Can an Athlete Make in Freestyle Wrestling?

A wrestler can make three attacks per minute in freestyle wrestling.

Are Slams Allowed in Freestyle Wrestling?

Yes, slams are allowed in freestyle wrestling. However, they must be done in a safe and controlled manner. An athlete can be penalized if they slam their opponent in a dangerous or violent manner.

Can You Pin Someone in Freestyle Wrestling?

Yes, you can only pin someone if you hold them down for three seconds. You cannot pin someone by slamming them to the ground.

Can You Suplex in Freestyle Wrestling?

Yes, you can suplex your opponent in freestyle wrestling. However, you have to do it right, otherwise, it can be considered an illegal move.

Can You Choke in Freestyle Wrestling?

No, choking is not allowed in freestyle wrestling. You can only attack your opponent’s neck and back.

Is Biting Allowed in Freestyle Wrestling

Freestyle wrestling prohibits the use of bites and teeth in general.

Are Freestyle and Greco Roman Wrestling Rules Are the Same?

No, the rules are a bit different. In freestyle wrestling, points can be scored with takedowns, escapes, reversals, and near falls. A fall (or pin) is worth three points. A near fall is worth two points.

A reversal is worth two points. an escape is worth one point. In Greco-Roman wrestling, takedowns are not allowed. Points can only be scored with pins and submissions.

Are Freestyle and Folkstyle Wrestling Rules the Same?

No, rules are different. In folkstyle wrestling, an athlete can win the match by either scoring more points than their opponent or by making them submit. In freestyle wrestling, the match is won by scoring more points than your opponent.

Additionally, folkstyle wrestling does not use submissions, while freestyle wrestling does. Finally, folkstyle wrestling has a few additional rules that freestyle wrestling does not have, such as the amount of time an athlete has to score a takedown.

Conclusion

Freestyle wrestling is an exciting and competitive sport. It has different rules, regulations, and scoring systems than other types of wrestling. In freestyle wrestling, athletes can score points by getting takedowns, reversals, escapes, or near falls.

Points are deducted for violations such as illegal holds or violent attacks. Slams are allowed in freestyle wrestling, but they must be done in a safe and controlled manner. Choking is not allowed in freestyle wrestling, and biting is strictly prohibited. Lastly, there are differences between the rules of freestyle and folkstyle wrestling, so it’s important to understand all the rules before competing or refereeing a match.