| Freestyle Wrestling |
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When the modern Olympic Games resumed in Athens in 1896, organisers considered wrestling so historically significant that it
became a focus of the Games. They remembered tales of wrestling competition in 708 BC, of oiled bodies fighting on sand in the
ancient Games. Greco-Roman wrestling was deemed a pure reincarnation of ancient Greek and Roman wrestling. Eight years later,
Olympic officials added a second category with far less history and far less grandeur, but great popularity. Commonly known as
"catch as catch can", freestyle wrestling had become the staple of 19th-century fairs and festivals in Great Britain and the United
States, a form of professional entertainment.
Like Greco-Roman wrestling, it became a staple of the Games themselves. In Greco-Roman competition, now dominated by Russia,
wrestlers use only their arms and upper bodies to attack. In freestyle, wrestlers also use their legs and may hold opponents above
or below the waist. The Olympic freestyle medallists in 1996 represented 17 different countries, 15 in Sydney and 17 in Athens..
COMPETITION:
At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, there were seven events in men’s freestyle. For the first time ever, women participated in
four. A total of 344 athletes competed in the three disciplines of this sport, freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling.
became a focus of the Games. They remembered tales of wrestling competition in 708 BC, of oiled bodies fighting on sand in the
ancient Games. Greco-Roman wrestling was deemed a pure reincarnation of ancient Greek and Roman wrestling. Eight years later,
Olympic officials added a second category with far less history and far less grandeur, but great popularity. Commonly known as
"catch as catch can", freestyle wrestling had become the staple of 19th-century fairs and festivals in Great Britain and the United
States, a form of professional entertainment.
Like Greco-Roman wrestling, it became a staple of the Games themselves. In Greco-Roman competition, now dominated by Russia,
wrestlers use only their arms and upper bodies to attack. In freestyle, wrestlers also use their legs and may hold opponents above
or below the waist. The Olympic freestyle medallists in 1996 represented 17 different countries, 15 in Sydney and 17 in Athens..
COMPETITION:
At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, there were seven events in men’s freestyle. For the first time ever, women participated in
four. A total of 344 athletes competed in the three disciplines of this sport, freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling.
Freestyle wrestling is an Olympic event. Under international rules any fair hold, trip, or throw is permitted. Are forbidden, as well as
kicking, punching, butting with the head, and holding the costume. Wrestlers are cautioned for irregularities, and three cautions
mean disqualification. The bout is supervised by a referee on the mat, a mat chairman, a judge, and a timekeeper. A fall is awarded
when one contestant holds both of his opponent's shoulders to the mat for one second.
Freestyle wrestling appeared in the 1904 olympic games. The first world championship took place in Helsinki, in 1951.
kicking, punching, butting with the head, and holding the costume. Wrestlers are cautioned for irregularities, and three cautions
mean disqualification. The bout is supervised by a referee on the mat, a mat chairman, a judge, and a timekeeper. A fall is awarded
when one contestant holds both of his opponent's shoulders to the mat for one second.
Freestyle wrestling appeared in the 1904 olympic games. The first world championship took place in Helsinki, in 1951.
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.
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.
| 2006 NYAC Open: Women's Freestyle Photos by Danielle Hobeika, hobeika@post.harvard.edu 11/19/06, New York, NY |
| 55 kg: LeAnn Barney, Cumberland DEC Amy Borgnini, USOEC, 1-1;2-1 |
| 48 kg: Clarissa Chun vs Sara Fulp-Allen |
59 kg: Katie Patroch vs Othella Lucas
| 2006 NYAC Open: Men's Freestyle, Day 1 Photos by Danielle Hobeika, hobeika@post.harvard.edu 11/18, 2006, New York, NY |
