Freestyle/Greco Roman

Freestyle and Greco Roman Practices

Vista Ridge H.S Open Mat

Mondays and Thursdays

6:00 PM - 7:45 PM

**NOTE: Minimum age is 8yrs old.

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“A conversation I have every year at the end of the folk-style season is, “Why wrestle freestyle?” The answer is plain and simple. Freestyle promotes attributes that greatly help folk-style wrestling. This is why the best folk-style wrestlers wrestle freestyle.”

Max Askren
NCAA National Champion and 3X All-American

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WHAT WILL FREESTYLE WRESTLING DO FOR YOU?

(excerpts from Coach Zeke Jones)

1. Freestyle wrestling is Fun. It is very exciting, creative, and dynamic because you can score points from almost anywhere. You will receive more points for a spectacular throw, 5 points, than you do a normal takedown, 1 point. Freestyle takes less control of your opponent to score points. Flip him to his back and get two points. You don't even have to hold him on his back to score but if you do you will get more points. Throw a guy over your head, which is legal, and you will score 5 points for grand amplitude. Many wrestlers that we have spoke to love freestyle because its fast, exciting, and it was easier to score points. Most freestyle matches also are mostly on your feet in the neutral position. Everyone loves to go takedowns. That's 80% of freestyle wrestling.

2. If your goal is to be a state champion or state placer, (or a great referee or coach) and a lofty goal I might add, freestyle increases your chances dramatically. If one wrestler is getting 40 matches a year in the high school or junior high season and 30 matches in the freestyle season whom do you think is going to get better at a faster rate? More matches will improve your technique, skill, and mat strategy. More minutes on the mat = more wins. Are your high school or junior high opponents going to these tournaments and getting ahead of you? The best wrestlers in the state are going to these tournaments. Are you going?

3. Freestyle wrestling allows the best kids in the state a chance to compete against the best in the nation. Most of the best tournaments in the nation are freestyle wrestling…

4. Freestyle and Greco Roman are the only wrestling done in the Olympic Games.

Freestyle

Freestyle wrestling, like its American counterpart, collegiate wrestling, in both styles, the ultimate goal is to pin your opponent to the mat, which results in an immediate win. Freestyle and collegiate wrestling, unlike Greco-Roman, also both allow the use of the wrestler's or his opponent's legs in offense and defense.

According to the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA), freestyle wrestling is one of the four main forms of amateur competitive wrestling that are practised internationally today.

Freestyle wrestling appeared in the 1904 olympic games. The first world championship took place in Helsinki, in 1951.

Greco Roman

Greco Roman style of wrestling practiced in Olympic and international amateur competition. In Greco-Roman wrestling the legs may not be used in any way to obtain a fall, and no holds may be taken below the waist. Other rules and procedures are the same as those for freestyle wrestling, the other international amateur style.

In the Olympic Games of ancient Greece, wrestling was an integral part of the Pentathlon, a form of all around athletic championship featuring running, jumping, wrestling, and throwing the discus and javelin. In imitation of classical Greek and Roman representations of the sport, modern Greco-Roman wrestling was created in France in the early 19th century. It became favoured in Scandinavian countries, from 1912 to 1948, after which the Soviet Union and other countries came to the fore.

2011 - MEN'S AGE DIVISIONS and WEIGHT CLASSES

(Freestyle & Greco-Roman Styles Only)

WEIGHT CLASSES

BANTAM Born 2003-2004

Best out of 3 two-minute periods with

30 second rest between periods

40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75,

75+ (15 lbs. maximum difference)

INTERMEDIATE Born 2001-2002

Best out of 3 two-minute periods with

30 second rest between periods

50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 87, 95,

103, 112, 120, 120+ (20 lbs.max difference)

NOVICE Born 1999-2000

Best out of 3 two-minute periods with

30 second rest between periods

60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 112,

120, 130, 140, 140+ (25 lbs. maximum difference)

SCHOOLBOY Born 1997-1998

Best out of 3 two-minute periods with

30 second rest between periods

70, 77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112, 120, 128, 136,

144, 152, 160, 175, 190, 210, 265

CADET

(Men)

Born 1995-1996

Best out of 3 two-minute periods with

30 second rest between periods

84, 91, 98, 105, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140,

145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215, 285

JUNIOR

(Men)

Born 9/1/1991 & after,

plus enrolled in grades 9-12

Best out of 3 two-minute periods with

30 second rest between periods

98, 105, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135,

140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215, 285