RealTalkAJ

I’ll be talking about how folkstyle wrestling works.

I’ve wrestling folkstyle since junior high school.

I mention it but we’re in the 2nd half of folkstyle wrestling seasons that’ll determine the champions of their regions.

Let’s look into this style of wrestling that’s exclusively practiced in the U.S.

How Folkstyle Wrestling works

A good start is to understand the rules. It’s a battle of physical control. It happens in match format, and has numerous positions.

There’s a referee position that makes it different from Freestyle and Greco.

This top and bottom position is how the referee will arrange the wrestlers at some point during the match.

Folkstyle Wrestling Rules

The wrestler has 5 ways to score in a match:

• Takedown
• Reversal
• Escape
• Near Fall
• Penalty Points

There’s a physicality that goes into the.

Without a doubt it’s one of the most physically demanding sports around.

There’s a few attributes that could be adjusted to increase chances of success:

• Strength
• Muscular endurance
• Mental toughness
• Critical thinking skills
• Coach-ability

Folkstyle is no exception to these successful traits when you compare them to the international counterparts.

The physicality comes from the hand to hand combat that’s being engaged to happen.

Grabbing the biceps and triceps of your opponent to only drag it away for a leg attack.

Maybe hitting a tight sit out to create pressure on your opponent to get to your feet.

A large majority of wrestling is physical.

Winning a folkstyle wrestling match

The best way to end a Folkstyle wrestling match is by a pin fall.

A pin is when both shoulder blades are forcibly laid on the mat.

If the ref sees it and slaps the mat as long as there’s time left the match ends immediately.

The match aspect is that it’s a competition between both wrestlers to make that action happen.

It’s the most beneficial for themself and the team they’re on.

It’s a physically contested bout between one person and another.

The winner advances.

Folkstyle wrestling positions

There’s a variety of basic folkstyle wrestling positions:

• Double leg
• Sprawl
• Half-Nelson

That’s only to name a few.

Of course there’s also a top-bottom aspect that can make the difference between a match as well.

Wrestling referee position

From the illustration above you can see that there is a starting bottom and top position for each wrestler.

The goal for the bottom wrestler is to get an escape to earn 1 point or even better with reversing the situation for 2 points.

If the wrestler on top is able to hold a position in where the other wrestler’s shoulder blades are close to getting pinned earns points.

There’s what’s called near fall points.

They come in 2s, 3s and 4s.

When you reach collegiate wrestling you’ll notice that there’s a clock that runs as the wrestler stays on top.

That’s known as riding time.

If the match ends where one wrestler accumulates over a minute of riding time they earn a point at the end of the match.

Final thoughts

I found some of my favorite movies and tv shows thanks to doing this sport.

Folkstyle wrestling is a unique addition to the entire sport without a doubt.

Next to freestyle it’s one of the most exciting styles to date.

There’s physical aspects of folkstyle, referee’s position, folkstyle specific moves and tactics used to win a match.

It’s one of my favorite sports to watch for a reason.

I’ve competed folkstyle for over a decade.

It’s a rewarding sport for whoever can appreciate the work that goes into competition day.