What Is the Difference Between Freestyle and Greco Roman Wrestling?By Coder| August 30, 2023 Wrestling Wrestling is a popular combat sport that has been around for centuries. It requires great strength, agility, and technique. There are different styles of wrestling, with freestyle and Greco-Roman being two of the most well-known disciplines. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are distinct differences between the two. Freestyle Wrestling Freestyle wrestling is a style that allows wrestlers to use their arms and legs to execute various techniques. It is an Olympic sport that has gained popularity worldwide. In freestyle wrestling, wrestlers aim to pin their opponents’ shoulders to the ground for a certain period of time or score points by executing different moves. One of the key differences in freestyle wrestling is the concept of exposure points. If a wrestler manages to get their opponent’s back exposed to the mat, even if they haven’t pinned them completely, they can still earn points. These points are awarded based on the duration and position of exposure. Techniques Freestyle wrestling allows for a wider range of techniques compared to Greco-Roman wrestling. Wrestlers can attack their opponents’ legs and execute moves such as single-leg takedowns, double-leg takedowns, ankle picks, and fireman’s carries. Attire In freestyle wrestling, wrestlers wear tight-fitting singlets that cover their entire bodies. This uniform allows for greater mobility and ease of movement during matches. Tactics Due to the inclusion of leg attacks in freestyle wrestling, tactics often involve controlling an opponent’s upper body while setting up attacks on their lower body. Wrestlers must also be cautious about exposing their own legs since this can lead to counter-attacks from opponents. Greco-Roman Wrestling Greco-Roman wrestling is another style that emphasizes upper body techniques. Unlike freestyle wrestling, it strictly prohibits any leg attacks, including trips and holds below the waist. This style is also an Olympic sport and has a rich history. Techniques In Greco-Roman wrestling, wrestlers focus on throws, clinches, and lifts. They aim to throw their opponents to the mat while maintaining contact with their upper bodies. The techniques used in this style require great strength and leverage. Attire Similar to freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestlers wear tight-fitting singlets. The singlet design is important as it ensures that wrestlers have a firm grip on each other’s bodies during matches. Tactics Without the option of leg attacks, the tactics in Greco-Roman wrestling revolve around controlling the upper body of the opponent. Wrestlers often engage in tight clinches and use throws and lifts to gain an advantage. Differences Summarized: In freestyle wrestling, leg attacks are allowed, while they are strictly forbidden in Greco-Roman wrestling. Freestyle wrestling includes exposure points for partially exposing an opponent’s back to the mat. Greco-Roman wrestling focuses solely on upper body techniques such as throws and lifts. Freestyle wrestlers wear singlets that cover their entire bodies, while Greco-Roman wrestlers wear similar attire. The tactics in freestyle wrestling involve controlling both the upper and lower body of opponents, whereas Greco-Roman tactics focus solely on upper body control. Conclusion: Both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling offer unique styles of combat with distinct rules and techniques. While freestyle allows for a wider range of attacks including leg attacks, Greco-Roman focuses solely on upper body techniques. Each style demands different skills and strategies from wrestlers. Whether you prefer the versatility of freestyle or the raw power of Greco-Roman, both styles showcase the incredible athleticism and dedication required in the world of wrestling.