How to Understand Greco-Roman Wrestling

Greco-Roman wrestling rules are used throughout the world, although they are more popular in Europe than in the United States. Greco-Roman wrestling is easily distinguished from freestyle or collegiate wrestling by the fact that holds are only allowed above the waist. Many people feel that this makes Greco-Roman wrestling much more dynamic and challenging that other forms of the sport.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Understand the basic positions and how to win a match. Neutral position occurs when both wrestlers are standing. Par terre positions, also known as ground positions, involve one wrestler starting in a high, or lift, position and his opponent in a low position. A wrestler wins by pinning his opponent, outscoring his opponent in 2 of the 3 possible rounds, gaining a 6 point advantage in any 1 round (this is considered a technical pin, the Greco-Roman version of boxing's TKO) or if his opponent is too injured to continue or has been disqualified for multiple penalties.

2. Watch for the 4 ways points are scored once the match begins. Takedowns are worth up to 5 points awarded when one wrestler takes the other to the mat from a neutral (standing) position. Reversals are worth 1 point and are earned when a wrestler moves from a defensive position on the ground to a dominant position. 2 points are awarded for exposure when one wrestler holds the other's back to the mat, and if this continues for 5 seconds, an additional point is awarded. Points can also be awarded by the officials to one wrestler as a form of penalty to the other for transgressions such as stepping out of bounds when standing. Remember, in Greco-Roman wrestling holds are only allowed above the waist.

3. Observe the first round and the accumulation of points. If one wrestler pins the other, the match is over. If no pin occurs, then after 60 seconds, the first round ends.

4. Watch the second round, which begins in a par terre position with the winner of the first round on top. If the first round was a tie, there is a coin toss to determine the top position. After 30 seconds the positions will be reversed. If either wrestler is pinned, the match is over. If the winner of the first round wins the second, the match is over. A third period is held only if necessary.

5. Understand that winning rounds is more important than points. If a match goes 3 rounds, and one wrestler won round 1 and 3 by 1 point each, and his opponent won the second round by 4 points, the winner of rounds 1 and 3 will have fewer points but will still take the match.

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