ARTICLES

What is Greco-Roman Wrestling?

Greco-Roman wrestling is a form of amateur wrestling practiced throughout the world. It is one of three styles contested in the Olympic games.

According to the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA), Greco-Roman wrestling is one of the four main forms of amateur competitive wrestling practiced internationally today, the other three being judo, Freestyle wrestling and sambo.

Colloquially referred to simply as 'Greco,' this style of wrestling forbids attacks below the waist. As a result, throws are encouraged as the opponent cannot avoid being thrown by simply hooking or grabbing his opponent's leg. Otherwise, the sport is similar to freestyle.

Although this form of wrestling was once believed to have been adapted from the Ancient Greek style of wrestling, it is actually derived from a 19th Century French form of show-wrestling popular for its high throws. Real ancient wrestling was quite different; see Greek wrestling.

Famous practitioners include the Russian Alexander Karelin and the American Rulon Gardner.

The Match

A match is a competition between two individual wrestlers of the same weight class. In Greco-Roman wrestling, a team of three referees is used. The referee controls the action in the center, blowing the whistle to start and stop the action. The judge sits at the side of the mat. The mat chairman sits at the scoring table and keeps time. To award points, assess penalties, or call a pin, two of the three officials must agree.

Victory Conditions in Greco-Roman Wrestling

A match can be won in the following ways:

Win by Fall: A fall, also known as a pin, occurs when one wrestler holds both his opponents' shoulders on the mat simultaneously. In Greco, a pin must be held long enough for the referee to count '21, 22' in French (vingt-et-un, vingt-deux), about one second. A fall ends the match entirely regardless of when it occurs.
Win by Technical Fall: If one wrestler gains a six-point lead over his opponent at any point, the current period is declared over and he is the winner of that period.
Win by Decision: If neither wrestler achieves either type of fall, the one who has gained more points during the period is declared the winner. If the score is tied, the wrestlers go through an overtime procedure called The Clinch.
Win by injury: If one wrestler is injured and unable to continue, the other wrestler is declared the winner. The term also encompasses situations where wrestlers bleed uncontrollably. If a wrestler is injured by his opponent's illegal maneuver and cannot continue, the wrestler at fault is disqualified.
Win by Disqualification: If a wrestler is assessed three Cautions for breaking the rules, he is disqualified. Under other circumstances, such as flagrant brutality, the match may be ended immediately and the wrestler removed from the tournament.

Period Format

In Greco, the format is now three two-minute periods a wrestler winning the match when he has won two out of three periods; for example if one competitor were to win the first period 1-0 and the second period 1-0, the match would be over. However, if the other competitor were to win the second period then third and deciding period would result. Only a fall or disqualification terminates the match; all other modes of victory result only in period termination. One side effect of this format is that it is possible for the losing wrestler to outscore the winner. For example, periods may be scored 3-2, 0-4, 1-0, leading to a total score of 4-6 but a win for the wrestler scoring fewer points.

As of 2005 each period is broken up into a standing wrestling phase and a maximum of two par terre (ground wrestling) phases. During the stand up phase both wrestles compete for takedowns and points for 60 seconds as normal, at the end of which the wrestler who has scored the most points is awarded an olympic lift position from an open par terre position on the other wrestler. At the end of thirty seconds the positions are reversed, and the period is decided by who accumulated the most points during both standing and ground phases. Where no one scores in the first 60 seconds standing the top position is determined by a coin toss. During the ground phase if the top wrestler cannot score, the other wrestler is awarded one point. In the case of no scoring moves being executed during either ground phase the score will be 1-1 and in this case the wrestler to score last will be awarded the period.

Scoring

In Greco-Roman wrestling, points can be scored the following ways:

Takedowns: Gaining control over your opponent from a neutral position, worth from one to five points.
Reversals: Gaining control over your opponent from a defensive position, worth one point.
Exposure: Exposing your opponent's back to the mat at an acute angle (less than 90 degrees), worth two points. An additional hold-down point may be earned by maintaining the exposure continuously for five seconds.
Penalty Points: Under the 2004-2005 changes to the international styles, a wrestler whose opponent takes an injury time-out receives one point unless the injurëd wrestler is bleeding. Any wrestler stepping out of bounds while standing in the neutral position during a match is penalized by giving his/her opponent a point. Other infractions (striking your opponent, acting with brutality or intent to injure, using illegal holds, etc.) are penalized by an award of points, a Caution, and choice of position.

Scores no longer rewarded in Greco-Roman wrestling

In 2004, FILA radically changed the format and scoring of the international styles. Part of this involved eliminating two ways of scoring which are possible from the par terre, or 'on the mat,' position.

Escapes: Escaping your opponent's control.
Lifting: Successfully lifting an opponent in the defensive position and exposing his back.

Equipment

A singlet is a one-piece wrestling garment made of spandex that should provide a tight and comfortable fit for the wrestler. It is made from nylon or lycra and prevents an opponent from using anything on the wrestler as leverage.
A special pair of shoes is worn by a wrestler to increase their mobility and flexibility. Wrestling shoes are light and flexible in order to provide maximum comfort and movement and provide extra traction on the mat.
A handkerchief, also called a bloodrag is carried in the singlet. In the event of bleeding, the wrestler will remove the cloth from their singlet and attempt to stop the bleeding or clean up any bodily fluids that may have gotten onto the mat
Headgear is optional in Greco. This is done at the participants own risk, as there is the potential to develop Cauliflower ear