Resource Center

Folkstyle Wrestling Scoring

Folkstyle is the wrestling style seen at the youth, high school and collegiate level. Folkstyle is exclusive to the US, and differs from the styles you see at the Olympic level. Below we have outlined the scoring you will see at the youth and high school levels for a Folkstyle match.

​

Match Structure:
Depending on the age group level you will have a slightly different match structure. For the high school level, athletes will wrestle a 2/2/2 format. Meaning, 3 two minute periods. The first period starts in the neutral position. Between periods wrestlers will be given the option of top, bottom, or neutral by the referee. Matches end when a the 3, two minute periods have ended, a technical fall is recorded, or a fall is recorded.

​

Positions:

• Neutral: The starting position of each wrestling match. This indicates that both wrestlers are on their feet. This is also a starting position option for rounds 2 and 3 in a match.

• Top: One wrestler is on top and in a controlling position. This is a starting position option for rounds 2 and 3 in a match.

• Referee/Bottom: One wrestler is on the mat on hands and knees with their bottom resting on their heels or ankles. This is a starting position option for rounds 2 and 3 in a match.
   

Scoring:

• Takedown: 2 points. A takedown is awarded when one wrestler takes another to the mat and establishes control behind the hips.

• Escape: 1 point. An escape is awarded when a wrestler on bottom returns to the neutral position; free of the top wrestler's control.

• Nearfall: 2-3 points. A 2-point nearfall is awarded when a wrestlers shoulders are on the mat and break a 45 degree or smaller angle for 2-4 seconds. A 3-point nearfall is awarded when a wrestlers shoulders are on the mat and break a 45 degree or smaller angle for 5 seconds. Nearfall can only be reset by a wrestler returning to a greater than 45 degree angle and the top wrestler's pinning combination changing.

• Reversal: 2 points. A reversal is scored when the bottom wrestler establishes control (like a takedown) of the top wrestler from the bottom position. In short, the wrestlers trade places from bottom to top.

• Fall/Pin: No points are awarded. Instead, this ends the match. A fall is awarded when the top wrestler turns the bottom wrestler to their back with both shoulders on the mat for two seconds.

• Technical Fall (Tech Fall): No points are awarded. Instead, this ends the match. A technical fall is awarded when a wrestler moves 15 points ahead of his opponent.