Free style basics
The main objective of freestyle wrestling is to score as many points as possible or to pin your opponent.
Match Basics: Freestyle matches are usually 2 periods that vary from 1-3 minutes each in length, depending on age and skill level.
Periods always begin with both wrestlers in the neutral (standing) position. The match can be stopped short of the time limit if either wrestler scores a pin or achieves technical superiority (lead of ten or more points).
After a takedown situation in which both wrestlers continue to wrestle down on the mat, known as the "par tarre" position, the bottom wrestler is not obligated to work for an escape or reverse.
Instead, it is the responsibility of the top wrestler to work diligently to execute a hold that will expose their opponent's back. If the top wrestler is not immediately (officials allow about fifteen seconds) successful in doing this, the official will stop the match and re-start the wrestlers on their feet in the neutral position.
Scoring: Back exposures are awarded two points if a wrestler can turn his/her opponent's back within 90 degrees of the mat.
Takedowns are awarded two points when one wrestler takes down their opponent and maintains top position, unless there is exposure of the back, then four points are awarded.
Reversals are awarded one point, unless there is exposure of the back, in which additional points are awarded.
"Grand Amplitude" holds, in which an opponent is lifted from the mat and brought from a standing position directly to his or her back are good for five points.
Sportsmanship: In international competition, wrestlers are required to shake hands with their opponent and with the referee before and after the bout.
Officials:
Officiating is performed in teams of one, two or three officials. When possible three officials are used. The referee who stands on the mat and controls the action with his/her whistle is assisted by a judge and a mat chairperson seated on opposite sides of the mat. All scoring must be agreed upon by at least two of the three officials.
Equipment: FILA permits, but does not require, the use of headgear in international Freestyle and Greco-Roman competition. In addition, wrestlers are required to wear either red or blue singlets, depending on their match pairing.
Wrestling is a contact sport. Injuries can happen with any sporting activity and wrestling is no different. The best way to avoid injury is to pay attention in practice, follow the coaching directions, and do what you are told. The vast majority of sport related injuries occur with athletes are not following directions.
All contact sports can result in skin infections and wrestling has a few unique ones to know about.
The best prevention for skin infection is showers as soon as possible after practice and notifying the coaches if you see a spot on yourself or another wrestler.
Ringworm: Ringworm is the most common skin infection in wrestling. It is cause by a fungus called tinea corporis which is not actually a worm. It looks like a red slightly raised patch on the skin, typically on the face or arms. It can be treated with over the counter anti-fungal cream (twice a day) such as Clotrimazole or Lamisil (terbinafine), typically found in the athlete's foot section of the drug store. Sometimes an infection in the hair/scalp or a large outbreak will be best treated by antifungal pills which can be prescribed by your family doctor.
Impetigo: Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection usually caused by streptococcus. It results when common skin and environmental bacteria enter in a cut or scratch and cause a superficial infection. It is very common in infants in toddlers. The best prevention is to keep any wounds covered with a bandaid and to shower immediately after practice. Topical antibiotics are the treatment of choice for impetigo such as neosporin or polysporin with can be found in the bandaid aisle of the drug store.
Staph infections/MRSA/Boils: These are thankfully an uncommon infection in wrestlers. Staph infections are cause by staphlococcus bacteria enter the skin through a wound or scratch. Unlike impetigo, the staph infection sits deeper in the skins fatty tissue and causes a firm, red, painful lump. Sometimes, early staph infections can be treated with warm compresses and topical antibiotics, but often these types of infections need antibiotic pills and sometimes lancing. If you think your child has a staph infection, it's best to be seen by your family doctor.
Herpes simplex: Also a relatively uncommon infection in wrestling, Herpes occurs for contact with another wrestler who continues to participate with a cold sore. If the HSV virus from the cold sore comes into contact with cut or scratched skin, the virus can enter there and cause an infection in other places than the mouth. If you're wrestler is prone to cold sore, please keep an eye out for them and hold them out of practice if they have one. If they get a new cold sore or a painful blister else where (usually on the face) please alert coach to check it out. Herpes will go away on it's own, but may come back periodically. There are medications that your doctor can prescribe to shorten the duration of the infection, especially if its the first outbreak.
