How to Understand Collegiate Wrestling

Collegiate wrestling, which is sometimes called folkstyle, is very similar to the format used in junior high and high school wrestling programs. More popular in the United States than the rest of the world, collegiate wrestling rules are set up to reward control. Unlike Greco-Roman wrestling, it allows below the waist holds and matches will not end if one wrestler wins the first 2 rounds.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Understand the basic format. There are 3 rounds, the first of 3 minutes and starting with both wrestlers standing. The second and third round are both 2 minutes long and started in the down position with one wrestler loosely mounting the other from the side. A coin is flipped at the beginning of the second round and winner chooses his position which is reversed to start the third round.
2. Learn basic scorekeeping. When a wrestler's shoulders are held down for 1 second, he is pinned and he instantly loses the round regardless of score. The winner has the highest score after 3 rounds. Anytime a wrestler is 15 points ahead of his opponent, he is instantly declared victor by way of a technical fall. 2 points are awarded for takedowns (controlling one's opponent to the ground from a standing position), reversals (escaping from control while seizing control of one's opponent) and near falls (exposing opponent's back to mat for approximately 3 seconds). 1 point is awarded for escaping control and returning to the standing position and for stretching a near fall to 5 seconds. Points can be awarded to one's opponent to punish minor infractions.
3. Watch the match, evaluating each wrestler's strategy. Attempt to understand their strengths and weaknesses as the match progresses.
4. Compare expectations with the actual outcome as the match progresses.

Tips & Warnings

• In high school and junior high matches, all rounds are 2 minutes.