Freestyle and Greco-Roman matches under United World Wrestling rules are two three-minute periods with a 30-second break. Wrestlers score for takedowns, exposures, step-outs and throws. A 10-point lead in freestyle or an 8-point lead in Greco-Roman ends the match by technical superiority. In Greco-Roman, attacks below the waist are not allowed.
Common scoring actions (UWW)
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Takedown | 2 |
| Exposure (turning the opponent’s back toward the mat) | 2 |
| Step out of the zone | 1 |
| Grand amplitude throw | 4 or 5 |
| Passivity (in some situations) | 1 or a par terre position |
Freestyle vs Greco-Roman
- Freestyle allows leg attacks; Greco-Roman does not.
- Greco-Roman uses more upper-body throws and par terre work.
- Both use the same mat and period structure.
- Women’s freestyle is an Olympic event; Greco-Roman is men only at the Olympics.
- Rules are updated regularly; check the current UWW rulebook.
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
How long is a freestyle match?
Two periods of three minutes with a 30-second break for senior athletes.
What is technical superiority?
Winning by a large margin: 10 points in freestyle, 8 in Greco-Roman.
What is par terre?
A ground position where one wrestler starts on top, used after passivity in some situations.
