Is High School Wrestling Freestyle?By Coder| August 31, 2023 Wrestling High school wrestling is a popular sport that has been around for decades. It is often confused with freestyle wrestling, but there are some key differences between the two. In this article, we will explore the question – Is high school wrestling freestyle? What is Freestyle Wrestling? Freestyle wrestling is a style of wrestling that originated in Europe and has been an Olympic sport since 1904. In freestyle wrestling, athletes can use both their arms and legs to attempt takedowns and score points. This style of wrestling allows for more dynamic movements and encourages athletes to use their agility and technique to gain an advantage. High School Wrestling Rules High school wrestling, on the other hand, follows different rules compared to freestyle wrestling. In high school wrestling matches, athletes are not allowed to use their legs actively for takedowns or scoring points. The Scoring System In high school wrestling, points are awarded based on various criteria including takedowns, escapes, reversals, near falls, and pins. Takedowns occur when one wrestler takes their opponent down to the mat from a standing position. Escapes and reversals happen when one wrestler breaks free from their opponent’s control or reverses the situation to gain an advantage. Near falls are situations where one wrestler almost pins their opponent’s shoulders to the mat but does not achieve a full pinfall. Pins, also known as falls, occur when one wrestler successfully holds both of their opponent’s shoulders on the mat simultaneously. Key Differences between High School Wrestling and Freestyle Wrestling Use of Legs: As mentioned earlier, high school wrestlers cannot actively use their legs for takedowns or scoring points. In freestyle wrestling, however, the use of legs is allowed. Uniform: High school wrestlers typically wear a singlet, a one-piece uniform that covers the torso and thighs. Freestyle wrestlers wear a two-piece uniform consisting of a tight-fitting shirt and shorts. Time Periods: High school wrestling matches consist of three periods, each lasting two minutes. Freestyle matches consist of two three-minute periods. Tiebreakers: In high school wrestling, if a match ends in a tie after all three periods, overtime or tiebreaker rounds are used to determine the winner. Freestyle wrestling uses different criteria to determine the winner in case of a tie. In Conclusion While high school wrestling shares some similarities with freestyle wrestling, it is not considered freestyle. The rules and techniques used in high school wrestling are specific to that style of competition. Both styles have their own unique characteristics and provide athletes with different challenges and opportunities to showcase their skills. So if you’re interested in participating in high school wrestling or watching freestyle wrestling at the Olympics, make sure you familiarize yourself with the specific rules and guidelines for each style!
