Freco Season
These are the styles of wrestling used in the Olympics, compared to Folkstyle wrestling, that is used in High School and Collegiate wrestling. Freestyle and Greco start in March right after the Folkstyle season and are a lot of fun, and also extremely beneficial for all wrestlers. In short, with one major exception, the rules of Freestyle and Greco are almost identical. Both styles are very aggressive and focus on getting both wrestlers to their feet and to attack.
In Greco Roman, a wrestler may not attack his opponent's legs, nor may he use his own legs to trip, lift or execute other moves. The wrestlers must wrestle from standing without the top of his head against his opponent's chest. It's very different and seriously fun.
In Freestyle, it is closer to Folkstyle in so far as both the arms and legs may be used to execute holds or to defend against attack, however, wrestlers are brought to their feet after about 15 seconds of no scoring. Since control isn't key, the bottom wrestler isn't expected to do anything but aggressively lay flat and try not to get turned. Another difference related to control is the ability in Freestyle to score points without having control of your opponent. With some moves such as tilts, tips, front headlock rolls and crotch lifts while under attack, wrestlers can score continuously without ever gaining control.
SHOULD I WRESTLE FREESTYLE AND GRECO ROMAN DURING THE OFF-SEASON EVEN IF I (OR MY SON/DAUGHTER) IS JUST GETTING STARTED IN MY WRESTLING CAREER?
Yes, yes, yes!! Wrestling is fun win or lose--but let's face it, it's even more fun if you win. First year or 10th year -- the way to win is to believe in yourself and outwork everyone.
I WANT TO WIN STATE OR MAYBE EVEN NATIONALS. WILL FREESTYLE AND GRECO WRESTLING HELP ME REACH THAT GOAL?
Without any doubt because you'll be competing against some of the best, sharpening your technique, gaining confidence and serious outright dominance on your feet as well as gaining experience winning and losing close matches. Here's the detail:
Freestyle/Greco helps you find the best competition. The best wrestlers and teams will be at off-season Freestyle & Greco tournaments and that is who you want to compete against if you want to win state. No matter what level, if you are training to beat the best, take on the best and go for that title. If you are a member of the Ubasa Wrestling Academy, you will be separating yourself from the pack.
Freestyle and Greco helps you sharpen your technique. Most of the Folkstyle fundamentals it takes to be a State Champion are very important in Freestyle and Greco. Striving to be successful in the spring will solidify the techniques and strategies that are essential in fall and winter Folkstyle. For example, you will learn to: improve the explosiveness of your shots, finish shots quickly, control your opponent, use the edge of the mat, clear out of those nasty front headlocks, use a tight waist effectively and improve hand fighting skills.
Freestyle and Greco help you to learn how to win close matches. The fact that it is easier to score on your opponent forces you to be sharp at all times. The key to breaking your opponent is scoring points. In a Folkstyle match, the wider the point spread the easier it gets to score points. When your opponent feels the match is getting away from him, he just doesn't fight as hard. In Freestyle and Greco it is much harder to break your opponent and he is more likely to come at you hard the entire time. Wrestlers who compete in a lot of highly competitive Freestyle and Greco matches learn to use their minds by wrestling smart, control their opponent, hand fight, stay in great position, stay in great shape and wrestle tough the entire match. These skills will take your Folkstyle to the next level and you will learn to master the art of wing close matches. The Folkstyle wrestlers who win State Titles and other big matches win the close matches. There is no better training ground to winning close matches than on the mats of the Ubasa Wrestling Academy.