Hearing the term wrestling often conjures images of large, muscle-bound men in tights performing body slams, piledrivers and other devastating maneuvers to the delight of rabid fans. Or for some, wrestling may mean the freestyle variety competed in colleges, high schools and grade schools across the United States. Yet there remains a third style, Greco-Roman wrestling, that has its own unique history and rules.
History
While its name may indicate a storied history dating back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans, Greco-Roman wrestling actually has its roots in the 19th century. A Napoleonic solider named Jean Exbroyat first developed the Greco-Roman style in 1848, calling his creation Flat Hand Wrestling. An Italian wrestler named Basilio Bartoli first coined the term Greco-Roman, attempting to connect the wrestling style to ancient values. Greco-Roman wrestling made its Olympic debut in 1896, becoming the first wrestling event added to the Olympic Games.
Rules
Greco-Roman wrestling rules prohibit attacking an opponent below the waist, meaning they can't grab the legs for an attempted takedown. Rules also forbid Greco-Roman wrestlers from using their own legs to trip an opponent. They can't even hook an opponent's leg in an effort to prevent being thrown. All contact must be above the waist.
Features
In freestyle wrestling, the more common form of amateur wrestling, wrestlers attempt to control the opponent, earning points for maintaining the dominant position. Greco-Roman wrestling places no such emphasis on control. If stuck in bottom position, a Greco-Roman wrestler doesn't have to reverse or escape but merely fend off further attacks.
Matches
A Greco-Roman wrestling match consists of three, two-minute periods. Each period starts with the wrestlers standing and facing one another. For the next minute, they attempt to execute throws, takedowns or lifts in an effort to score points. After one minute, the referee calls a halt to the action and flips a coin to determine which wrestler will take position on his hands and knees for the first 30-second segment of mat wrestling. The top wrestler begins in a reverse body lock position and has 30 seconds to try and score points. The wrestlers then switch positions, with the wrestler on top now on his hands and knees, for another 30 seconds of mat wrestling.
Scoring
The ultimate goal in Greco-Roman wrestling is to pin your opponent's shoulders to the mat for one-half second. A pin ends the match. However, wrestlers may also score points for successfully executing various holds and moves. For instance, taking an opponent down to the mat earns one point. If the takedown drops an opponent directly on his back, it earns three points. Any forceful throw can earn five points. Even holding an opponent's back to the mat for five seconds without gaining a pin earns one point.
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