Wrestling Info & History
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Objective
The primary objective in folkstyle wrestling is to gain control of your opponent and to ultimately pin your opponent by holding your opponent with their back (both shoulder blades simultaneously) on the mat for a period of at least two seconds.
Match Basics
Wrestling matches consist of three periods. Periods can vary in length from one minute in duration for younger age groups, to as long as three minutes for college wrestling. Either wrestler can win the match at any time if they are able to pin their opponent or develop a lead of more than 14 points. Otherwise, the wrestler that can accumulate the most points by the end of the third period (or after overtime in the case of a tie) wins the match.
POSITIONS
There are only two positions from which referees start, or continue a match. The first is neutral position, with both wrestlers standing and facing each other. The other is the referee’s position, where one wrestler starts on his hands and knees down on the mat, and the other starts on top, behind and in control. The first period always begins in the neutral position. Each wrestler has their choice in one of the remaining periods, to choose to start from top or bottom referee’s position, or in the neutral position. If the action must be stopped before the end of a period, the referee restarts the wrestlers in the starting position that best reflects the position the wrestlers were in when the action was stopped.
Scoring
The scoring system is rather simple. Takedowns (when from a neutral position one wrestler is able to bring the other to the mat and gain control) are worth two points. Escapes (when the bottom wrestler is able to break free from the top wrestler and revert back to a neutral position) are worth one point. Reversals, (when a wrestler on the bottom is able to reverse the control so that the opponent is on the bottom) are worth two points. Back points(also called near fall) are awarded when one wrestler comes close to pinning the other (i.e. exposing the other wrestler’s back) and are worth two or three points depending on the length of time that the opponent’s back is exposed. In addition, penalty points can be awarded when the opposing wrestler performs illegal moves or is penalized for excessive stalling.
Point System for Matches
Takedown 2 points
Near Fall 2 or 3
Escape 1 point
Reversal 2 points
Point System for Team Score
Decision 3 points
Major Decision 4 points
Tech Fall 5 point
Fall 6 points
Equipment
Basic wrestling equipment includes a headgear, wrestling shoes, and a singlet. Wrestling shoes offer more ankle support than the traditional shoe and are designed lightweight and tight to the foot to promote freedom of movement. Headgear can prevent outer ear injuries and bruises during practice and competition. The standard wrestling uniform, known as a singlet, is designed to fit snug to the body so that it does not restrict the movement of either wrestler. Kneepads are sometimes worn by choice.
Unlike boxing, where no one (not even the boxers) knows the score, the scoring in wrestling is precise and both the spector and wrestler alike can follow the progress of the match.
The point used in wrestling is an evaluation of the activity on the mat. It is the referee’s duty, among other things, to analyze the situation and signal the points to the scorer.
First Period
Starts from standing or neutral position. Both wrestlers come forward, shake hands, and step back to their designated red or green area in the center of the mat.
Second Period
Choice of position is decided by the toss of a coin. The winner of the toss may choose either up or down in “Referee’s Position” or “Neutral Position” or “Defer” to the other wrestler.
Third Period
Choice of position is decided by the wrestler who did not win the coin toss or if the choice was defered in the second period, the wrestler may choose up or down in the "Referee's Position" or "Neutral Position".
The Winner
The winner of the match shall be declared by the wrestler who scores the most points or by a fall.
GENERAL MATCH STRATEGY
1. Don't be afraid to lose, have an offensive philosophy going in, and constantly use a proper attack.
2. Make your opponent wrestle your style. Force the match and keep him off balance by attacking first and continuously.
3. If you have reach, speed, or balance on a man, use these to your advantage. Mix them up in your attack, the odds favor you.
4. If you are stronger, overpower him. If you are weaker, don't fight his strength but instead concentrate on perfect technique. Technique will win over strength nearly every time.
5. If you are in better shape, set a pace he can't stand but don't do all the work. Make him lift your weight every time possible.
6. Keep a cool head and remain poised and confident. Never allow calls by the referees or actions by your opponent or the fans to upset your wrestling attitude or technique. Never make the referee mad at you.
7. Never stop wrestling until the whistle blows. This includes not giving up a defensive move until the referee calls the points.
8. Do not do anything in a match that you haven't worked hard to perfect in practice.
9. Never let your opponent know that you are tired.
10. Be a "chain wrestler", always performing a second move if the first doesn't work. Use holds which blend together, either as a fake to set-up, or as a follow-up.
11. A desperation move is risky and should only be tried at the end of the match when you "must" get points. Remember, a loss by one point is as bad as a loss be several points.
TOURNAMENTS
A tournament involves numerous teams. In tournaments, each individual wrestler competes in his own weight bracket, while scoring points for his team. Individual wrestlers are competing for individual medals and glory. The bracket is drawn so that the known superior wrestlers are seeded and separated from competing against each other in the opening rounds. This is in an effort to set the best possible final match. A bye occurs when the number of wrestlers in the bracket is not a power of 2, i.e. 4, 8, 16, 32 wrestlers. A bye is randomly drawn into the bracket. A bye should only occur in the first round of championship and the first round of consolations. The wrestlers advance in the bracket as long as they continue to win. If a wrestler loses, the format of the tournament determines whether or not he will wrestle in the consolation bracket.
Definition of Terms
TAKEDOWN – From a neutral position, a wrestler gains control of his opponent and takes him down on the mat.
ESCAPE – When the defensive wrestler gains a neutral position and his opponent has lost control.
REVERSAL – When the defensive wrestler comes from underneath and gains control of his opponent.
NEAR FALL - When the offensive wrestler has control of his opponent in pinning situation and both shoulders or scapulae of the defensive wrestler is held beyond perpendicular to the mat or when the defensive wrestler is in a high bridge or on both elbows for 3 seconds 2 points is awarded and for 5 seconds 3 points is awarded.
FALL – When any part of both shoulders or scapulae are held in contact with the mat for 2 seconds, also known as PIN.
TECH FALL - When the winner wins by 14 points or more.
DECISION – Earned by the wrestler who has earned the greater number of points.
MAJOR DECISION - Winner wins match by more than 8 points.
DEFER – A strategy that gives the original wrestler the choice in the final period.
FORFIET – Received by a wrestler when his opponent, for any reason, fails to appear for the match or complete the match.
NEUTRAL POSITION – Position in which neither wrestler has control.
REFEREE’S TOP POSITION – Position known as “Top”, is the control position where most pins (falls) occur. The top man is positioned after the bottom is set. The top man is required to grasp the bottom mans elbow with one hand and the other hand to wrap around the bottom man’s waist.
REFEREE’S BOTTOM POSITION – Position of the man on his hands and knees on the mat. There are two parallel lines twelve inches apart. The bottom man is required to have his hands in front of one line and his knees behind the other.
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Wrestling History
Origin:
The first recorded Olympic wrestling match occurred in the Olympics in 708 BC. Wrestling was highly valued as a form of military exercise without weapons. There were two distinct versions of the game, differing according to the holds and the methods of deciding the victor.
Variations:
Orthia pale (Upright and Proper Wrestling)
The object of this type of wrestling was simply to throw the opponent to the ground. Three falls constituted a loss for that opponent, and the winner was called the "triakter". The match continued without stops until one man emerged victorious.
Kato pale (Ground Wrestling)
Victory in this competition depended on one competitor acknowledging defeat. Defeat was indicated by raising one's right hand with the index finger pointed.
Rules of the Game:
Blows were not allowed.
Tripping was permitted.
No biting or gouging was allowed.
There was no weight distinction.
The wrestlers were anointed with olive oil then dusted with powder to make them easier to grasp. The competition took place in the "keroma", or beeswax, a muddy and sticky arena.
Characteristics of a Good Wrestler:
Since there was no weight provision in the Olympics, it is obvious that the sport required a strong and stout build. A special combination of agility, skill and craft were also necessary.
Additional Information:
With five victories at Olympia, perhaps the most famous and successful of Olympic wrestlers was Milo. When attempting his sixth Olympic victory at forty years old, he was finally beaten by a younger man.
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Glima
In the viking age, there were in nothern europe a very popular sport called glima.
In glima it is illegal to kick and hit, therefore it is called wrestling. The special thing about glima is that the wrestlers uses some special belts (like in sumo) to get a grip in each other. In the viking age the grip was in each others trousers.
In a glima match the two wrestlers is constantly walking around each other and try to bring down the opponent with tricks like to trip the opponent up, or lifting the opponent up. The match end when one of the wrestlers falls down. There are eight basic tricks, but they can be combined infinitely.
Glima is the nationalsport of Iceland. The reason that it nowadays is almost unknown in other scandinavian countries have to do with the fact that the priests in the end of the viking age considered glima to be a pagan thing. That point of view was never accepted in iceland were it instead turn out to be consider good for the moral and disipline to do glima.
The sport can be practiced by both gender, in all ages. In the icelandic sagas there is written about a match between a man and a woman which run over several days and ended unsettled (in the sagas they often overstated theirs ability a bit).
It is possible to do glima in Copenhagen (Denmark) two times a week. It is also possible to do glima i Malmø (Sweden), and in Whangarei (New Zeeland) and of couse in Iceland.
In the sommer we make shows around in nothern europe in connection with viking festivals and alike.
Basic rules of Glima
The two wrestlers (glimumenn) stand nearly erect, each a little to the left of the other with a slightly wide stance and the right foot slightly advanced. They look over each other's right shoulder, but never down at the feet, the reason for this rule being that the wrestlers are to wrestle by touch and feel and not by sight.
Once the wrestlers have taken their holds and adopted the required stance they begin to step to their right. Then, at a signal, they begin to apply the tricks. Each contestant seeks to throw the other by causing him to lose his balance. Each tries to hook a foot around the other's in order to trip him. A contestant may also try to heave his opponent into the air and by skillful use of the feet, legs, or hips, prevent him from landing on feet, causing him instead to fall to the ground in such a manner that he touches it with some part of his torso.
There are eight main kinds of tricks (bragd) designed to fell (topple) the adversary, and each trick can be executed in a number of different ways (approx. 50).
The eight main tricks of glima are as follows:
The outside stroke (leggjarbargd) (see picture)
The inside-click (innanfótar hælkrókur hægri á vinstri)
the cross-click (innanfótar hælkrókur hægri á hægri)
the back-heel (hælkrókur fyrr báda)
The twist over the knee (hnéhnykkur)
the overside hipe (hnéhnykkur á lofti)
The hook (krækja)
The cross buttock (snidglima)
The inside-hipe (klofbragd).
The cross-buttock aloft (lausamjödm)
The full or half buttock (mjadmarhnykkur)
In modern glima competition the wrestlers wear special wrestling attire (glimuföt), consisting of special shoes and a combination of pants and shirt with a protective cover around the groin. Each werstler wears three leather belts, one around each thigh and one around the waist, the thigh-belts being fastened by straps to the waist-belt.
The two wrestlers enter the arena, which is a smooth, bare timber floot, and greet each other by shaking hands. Each takes hold of the waist-belt of the other with his right hand, and with the left hand grasps the belt round the opponent's thigh. Only then can the combat or glima begin.
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Modern History
Around 1965, several individuals, principally Terry McCann and Myron Roderick, were dissatisfied with the governance of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). They began discussions with Walter Byers, then the Executive Director of the NCAA, with the goal to form a wrestling organization administered by wrestling people.
The group wanted to develop an overall program that would: 1) offer competitive programs for wrestlers who had completed high school and/or college; 2) offer educational and developmental programs for wrestlers, coaches and officials in the international styles of wrestling; 3) offer wrestlers, coaches, officials and organizations conducting wrestling programs a voice in policies and procedures directly affecting the sport.
Initial organizational meetings were held in January of 1968, where the need to develop a new federation to challenge the AAU was reaffirmed. Subsequently, a brochure which announced the formation of the United States Wrestling Federation (USWF), was circulated in May and June. It defined the goals, objectives, structure and proposed financing, and set the stage for the official organizational meeting.
In April of 1969, the USWF conducted its first National Open Championships in Evanston, Ill. The Mayor Daley Youth Foundation, led by Olympians Don Behm and Larry Kristoff, won the first freestyle and Greco-Roman team trophies.
Myron Roderick, head coach at Oklahoma State University, was appointed USWF Executive Director in August of 1969 and moved the offices to Stillwater, Okla.
In July of 1970, Federation Internationale de Luttes Associees (FILA) president Roger Coulon of France took the international franchise away from the AAU and ordered a joint commission, five members each from USWF and AAU.
The Federation suffered a setback in 1972 as new FILA president Milan Ercegan returned the AAU to full membership. Yet individual membership doubled to 3,000 and the national office added its second full-time employee, Bob Dellinger.
The Federation merged with the U.S. Kids Wrestling Federation in 1975.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame was formally dedicated on Sept. 11, 1976 and housed the National Office of the Federation. The street in Stillwater where the Hall is located was renamed Hall of Fame Avenue. Fourteen charter members were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Membership in the Federation grew to 25,686 by the end of 1976.
On Sept. 7, 1978, the American Arbitration Association ruled that the AAU was no longer a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, replaced by the U.S. Wrestling Federation. Congress passed the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 into law in November, 1978.
Congress amended the Amateur Sports Act in 1980 to cut off USOC membership and funding for any arbitration loser.
On Aug. 20, 1982, a judge in Ohio ordered the AAU to resign from, and sever all ties with, FILA and to resign from the Olympic Committee. The USOC was ordered to terminate its recognition of the AAU as a Group A Member and the National Governing Body (NGB). USOC president Bill Simon convened a seven-man panel on Sept. 23 to develop a structure for the new United States Wrestling Association. It was to include two members for the AAU, which boycotted.
USWF became USA Wrestling (USAW) on March 14, 1983. Werner Holzer was elected president and Steve Combs continued as executive director.
Shortly thereafter, FILA recognized USAW as the member organization from the United States. The USWF had finally triumphed in its struggle to become the NGB for wrestling in the United States.
Since assuming NGB duties, USA Wrestling has achieved numerous milestones for the sport of wrestling, which include:
27 Olympic medals (14 gold, 7 silver, 6 bronze)
67 World medals (21 gold, 31 silver, 15 bronze)
1993 and 1995 Freestyle World Team Championships
Hosted the 1995 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships, one of the most successful World Championships ever held
Strong athlete support created through national teams programs
Significant increase in training and competitive opportunities for all age groups of athletes
Strong programs developed for coaches' and officials' education
One of the leading international exchange programs among National Governing Bodies
49 recognized state associations
Regional and national age-group championships annually attract more than 12,500 competitors
USA Wrestler, the official publication of USA Wrestling, published six times annually, has a circulation of over 130,000
USA Wrestling recognized a Women's Sport Committee, created a National Team for women and increased financial support for its development
USA Wrestling's Junior National Championships developed into the leading wrestling competition in the United States and, possibly, the world
USA Wrestling's Cadet National Championships grew to match the size and scope of the Junior National Championships
Four additional National Tournaments were created: Espoir Nationals (1985), Cadet Nationals (1986), University Nationals (1990), Women's Nationals (1990) ? National Coaching Staff established for Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Developmental programs
USA Wrestling purchased a building to house the full-time staff
Two wrestlers were named winners of the James E. Sullivan Award, presented annually to the top amateur athlete in the United States: John Smith (1990) and Bruce Baumgartner (1995)
All-American Club created for past U.S. team members, Olympic Trials finalists, national champions and national All-Americans in freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's wrestling.
This information was from http://wrestlegirl.com/jhistory.htm
