Difference Between Folkstyle & Freestyle Wrestling

Although all Western wrestling evolved from the competitions in the Olympic Games of ancient Greece, modern competition is divided into different styles. Freestyle and folkstyle are the two most commonly practiced styles in the United States.

Wrestling Basics

Freestyle and folkstyle wrestling share several attributes. Both are combat sports, a contest between two people who use specialized moves to score points on the other player. Both use the same mat, uniform and safety equipment. You win by scoring more points or by pinning your opponent. The main differences between the sports are in the value of the points, and the administration of the sport.

Weight Classes

In wrestling, a larger athlete has the advantage. To ensure fairness and safety, wrestling competition is divided into weight classes, much as boxing and mixed martial arts are. Weight classes for both freestyle and folkstyle wrestling are often similar. However, classes change from time to time. Because different sanctioning organizations oversee competition in the sports, the specific weight class limits might be different.

Round Structure

Both freestyle and folkstyle wrestling matches consist of timed rounds, with a brief rest in between. Folkstyle wrestling, which is also called collegiate wrestling, consists of three rounds lasting two to three minutes each. Freestyle wrestling is more flexible, ranging from two rounds of one minute to a single five-minute round. Olympic freestyle wrestling consists of two rounds, each lasting three minutes. Either style match can end immediately if one wrestler is pinned.

Scoring Points

Folkstyle wrestlers score two points for a takedown or reversal, a single point for an escape, and two or three points for holding an opponent's back near -- but not on -- the mat with a condition called a near fall. In freestyle competition, takedowns, near falls and escapes are all worth a single point. However, taking down an opponent with a throw can score an additional one to four points, based on the difficulty and execution of the throw.

Competition

High school and college wrestling competition starts under folkstyle rules, overseen by the NCAA, or by high school athletic commissions that usually base their rules on the NCAA guidelines. Freestyle competition is more common in international competition, including the Olympics. Because of this, a variety organizations sanction freestyle competition. Many of those organizations base their rules on the Olympic model.