Folkstyle is the style used in US high school and college wrestling. A match has three periods: the first starts on the feet, and in the second and third, wrestlers choose top, bottom, neutral or defer. Points come from takedowns, escapes, reversals and near falls, and a pin ends the match.
Scoring in folkstyle
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Takedown | 3 (current NFHS and NCAA rules) |
| Escape | 1 |
| Reversal | 2 |
| Near fall | 2 to 4, depending on time and code |
| Riding time (college) | 1 for a minute or more advantage |
| Penalties | 1 or 2, escalating |
Match structure
- High school: three 2-minute periods.
- College: a 3-minute first period and two 2-minute periods.
- Choice of position after the first period, decided by coin flip or disc.
- Overtime: sudden victory, then tiebreakers.
- Stalling warnings then penalty points.
Rules reference: NFHS Wrestling Rules Book (US high school), NCAA Wrestling Rules (US college) and United World Wrestling rules (freestyle and Greco-Roman). Scoring values differ between these codes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between folkstyle and freestyle?
Folkstyle rewards control and has escape and riding points; freestyle rewards exposure and throws and has no escape points.
How long is a high school wrestling match?
Six minutes of regulation, in three 2-minute periods.
What is a near fall?
Holding the opponent in a pinning situation close to the mat without achieving a fall.
