Freestyle Wrestling Definition
- February 17, 2022
- TFG Team
- Wrestling
In this post, we will be focusing on freestyle wrestling and explain what is it, when it started, if it is good for self-defense, and what are some of the techniques that can be learned by training in freestyle wrestling. We’ve got you covered. Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
What Is Freestyle Wrestling?
Freestyle wrestling is a style of amateur wrestling that is practiced throughout the world. Along with Greco-Roman, it is one of the two styles of amateur wrestling practiced in the Olympic games.
American high school and college students compete in freestyle wrestling, as do participants in many other countries. The name “freestyle” derives from the fact that in many wrestling styles, the wrestlers can use only upper-body holds and strategies.
In collegiate wrestling, there are men’s and women’s divisions at each weight class, from 125 lbs to the Heavyweight division of over 285 lbs. Collegiate competition begins with a preliminary period in which wrestlers compete in dual meets against members of other colleges.
After the end of this “Preliminary Round,” the competition enters a period in which wrestlers compete against only those who have qualified for the championship meet either by placing top two in one of the preliminary period’s ten weight classes or by being one of the fifteen competitors who qualified through the placings in the three championship weight classes at each college.
How Does Freestyle Wrestling Work?
Freestyle wrestling, like collegiate wrestling, has two periods – one for non-championship and the other for championship competition. For non-championship meets, wrestlers have to do a “preliminary round” where competitors are divided into groups. The winner of each group moves on to the championship meet.
In freestyle wrestling, there are many rules that can be broken in order to win. For example, it is against the rules to bite your opponent or pull his hair, but these things happen in freestyle wrestling matches all the time.
How Many Rounds in Freestyle Wrestling?
Three rounds of wrestling, with a 15-minute time limit.
Freestyle Wrestling History in a Nutshell
Freestyle wrestling was developed in Europe in the late 19th century from the Greco-Roman wrestling styles practiced in Europe at that time.
The first wrestling competition in the US was held in New York City’s Madison Square Garden on 10th January 1888, and freestyle wrestling became an Olympic sport in 1904.
Over the years, many countries have developed their own styles of wrestling. For example, American high-school wrestlers compete in a style called scholastic wrestling, which is different from freestyle and Greco-Roman programs.
Is Freestyle Wrestling in the Olympics
Yes, freestyle wrestling is an Olympic sport. In fact, it is one of the oldest sports that have been included in the Olympics since its inception in 1896.
According to the official Olympic website, freestyle wrestling is a men’s sport that has been contested at 26 different Olympics since 1904, and there is also a similar women’s sport called “freestyle wrestling” which was first contested in 2004.
When Is Freestyle Wrestling Season?
In the US, wrestling season usually begins in November and ends in late February or early March. The regular high school wrestling season starts in early November and continues to late February.
How Do You Learn to Freestyle in Wrestling?
The basics of freestyle wrestling can be taught to you by a high school or college coach, and advanced techniques like the fireman’s carry will involve some drills and practice. If you are on a college or school team, then your coach will probably have some drills that will help you get the hang of wrestling.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Freestyle Wrestling?
It is usually a matter of months until you can competently do a fireman’s carry with some practice. At the college level, it is also possible to go on a wrestling scholarship in order to further your training.
At What Age Can You Start Freestyle Wrestling?
Most serious wrestlers start their careers in high school. College wrestlers can use freestyle wrestling to prepare for the Olympics, but it is also possible to become an Olympic wrestler without ever having wrestled in high school or college.
Does Freestyle Wrestling Help With Self-defense?
While freestyle wrestling can help with self-defense, it is not ideal for street brawls or bar fights. It is important to practice your striking skills along with learning how to execute effective “dirty” moves like biting, pulling of hair, gouging eyes, and groin attacks. Freestyle wrestling is usually a one-on-one sport that has very limited scenarios where there are more than two people in a fight.
What Are Some Techniques From Freestyle Wrestling?
There are many different techniques from freestyle wrestling that can be useful in a self-defense situation. Some of the most common and effective ways to win a match in freestyle wrestling include, but are not limited to takedowns, gripping your opponent around their waist, turning them onto their backs, and pinning their shoulders to the ground for five seconds.
Does Freestyle Wrestling Have Submissions Moves?
No, in freestyle wrestling there are no submission moves. In freestyle and many other forms of wrestling, there are only two ways to win a match: points or by pin.
Is Freestyle Wrestling Dangerous?
When performed properly, freestyle wrestling is not dangerous. It involves both beginners and advanced wrestlers. That being said, injuries are common in all kinds of wrestling, and it is important to listen to your body if you start feeling pain. In general, freestyle wrestlers tend to have a lower risk of injury than people who do Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) or other combat sports.
Does Freestyle Wrestling Help Folkstyle Wrestling?
Yes, freestyle wrestling has many crossovers moves with folkstyle wrestling which is the type of wrestling done in high school and college. But, while freestyle wrestling does share some moves with folkstyle wrestling, there are many differences between them. For example, the “move” called the “fireman’s carry” is common in freestyle wrestling but not often used in folkstyle.
Freestyle wrestling also has differences from collegiate and scholastic styles. To compete at the universal level, athletes must be age 16 or older and have a minimum of three years of prior experience.
Can You Make Money From Freestyle Wrestling?
Freestyle wrestling is not considered a professional sport. You can make money from freestyle wrestling if you transfer wrestling skills to another wrestling-related position or if you work as a wrestling coach.
You can also make money working in the fitness industry or martial arts, but there are no guarantees that you will make the same amount of money as you did when wrestling. No one can make enough money on freestyle wrestling to provide for themselves, let alone a family.
What Are Some Freestyle Wrestling Organizations?
The sport of freestyle wrestling is governed by several different organizations. These include USA Wrestling, the international governing body for competitive American wrestlers; the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), which selects American athletes to compete in the Olympics; and FILA, the international governing body for the sport of wrestling (freestyle and Greco-Roman).
Is Freestyle Wrestling Similar to MMA?
There is an imagination between these two, as freestyle wrestling has many moves in common with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). But unlike MMA, which is called “cage fighting” because people are enclosed within an octagonal steel cage, freestyle wrestling is done inside a padded square ring.
Some moves that are used in MMA are performed in freestyle wrestling, but there are other moves that are used only in MMA. The main difference between the two sports is that freestyle wrestling has no striking techniques such as punching and kicking.
What Gear Is Used in Freestyle Wrestling?
Most freestyle wrestlers, regardless of their age or weight, use the same wrestling gear. This includes a singlet, headgear with a faceguard, and shoes with three-quarter-inch soles.
How to Win Freestyle Wrestling Match?
To win a freestyle wrestling match, you need to score more points than your opponent by controlling various parts of his or her body. Each wrestler will start in a standing position with an opponent behind him or her. The goal is to “takedown” your opponent and wrestles on the ground.
This can be done by forcing your opponent off of his or her feet and getting behind him or her. It must be done so quickly that it takes less than a second, or you will receive a penalty for stalling (not moving) and losing points.
Can Women Wrestle in the Freestyle Style?
Yes, women can wrestle in freestyle wrestling just like men. This is because this style of wrestling was developed long before anyone realized that there were physiological differences between men and women. To qualify for official competitions at the international or Olympic level, women must have reached puberty.