Greco Roman Wrestling Rules

Greco-Roman wrestling is a type of amateur wrestling practiced throughout the world. It is one of two styles contested in the Olympic Games and one of the foundation styles of Real Pro Wrestling.According to the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA), Greco-Roman wrestling is one of the four major forms of amateur competitive wrestling practiced internationally today, the other three being Judo wrestling, Freestyle wrestling and Sambo wrestling.

Commonly referred to simply as "Greco," this style of wrestling forbids attacks below the waist. Therefore, the throws are expectant as the opponent can't avoid being thrown by simply hook or grab his opponent's leg. Amongst the well-known practitioners are Russia's Alexander Karelin and the American Rulon Gardner; an admired story holds that Abraham Lincoln was in a Greco match when he learned that he had been elected President of the United States.

Unlike Freestyle wrestling, a Greco-Roman practitioner can't attack his opponent's legs or use his legs in active defence. Tripping, tackling, and using via the legs to secure embrace is not permitted. Greco-Roman wrestlers started on their bout in a standing position, and attempted to either throw their opponent to the mat or to use holds to drop them to the mat. This one rule differentiation leads to a unique style of wrestling. Since a wrestler don't have to defend against leg attacks, they can stand up more upright and battle in close to try to secure locks. This closed battle for locks and clinches make wrestling Greco very physically tough and exhausting. However Greco is not just about the close in battle. If the wrestler gets a good lock, his challenger can't use his legs to counter the following move and fans are many times treated to an amazing throw.

In par terre, or wrestling on the mat, a Greco wrestler can challenge to lift his opponent and throw him, a feat of unbelievable strength and technique. While lifts are countered in freestyle by grabbing the attacking wrestler's leg, in Greco, the protective guy cannot do this. Some people think Greco is only half wrestling since they don't attack the legs or defend using the legs. There is a factor of truth to this and leg attackers do tend to dominate over a pure Greco style. While Greco style of wrestling, can't win a battle when it comes to expediency, it does have other assets. It's artier with its throws and lifts and has great lines and balance visually. Greco also shows off the physique of the wrestler better than other styles, for example freestyle and folk style, in which wrestlers are bent over in a leg attack and counter-offensive battle.

So Greco then wins the art battle hands down. For those who are lucky to get to watch good Greco wrestlers effectively complete their techniques and throws, they turn out to be instant fans. Compared to a typical freestyle match which is made of singles and doubles, we have Greco which is made up of home runs and grand slams. Though, the Greco wrestlers cannot effectively execute throws and lifts, and then Greco is a rather boring style of wrestling. Since most United States wrestlers don't get to train Greco, the majority of fans, wrestlers, and coaches never get to see the best Greco has to offer. From their limited perception, they think Greco is an inferior style both in form and function.