Wrestling Scoring

Folkstyle Wrestling Scoring:

“Folkstyle” wrestling (aka “collegiate” or “scholastic”) is the type of wrestling practiced in U.S. high schools and colleges. It is different than the predominate styles practiced around the world and featured in the Olympics (Freestyle and Greco Roman).  The object of all styles is to put your opponent on his or her back. A pin (or fall) is recorded when both of your opponent’s shoulder blades are exposed to the mat at the same time, resulting in an immediate win. If nobody gets pinned, the wrestler who scores the most points wins.

Folkstyle scoring focuses mainly on changes in control. Taking an opponent down to the mat, escaping from or reversing control, or turning an opponent's back to the mat are all scoring situations. This differs from Freestyle and Greco Roman, which don't encourage escapes or reversals.

Folkstyle rules have changed over time, and vary among the youth, high school, and college levels.  But, in general, expect there to be three (3) periods varying in length among levels from 1-2 minutes each, and there are five (5) ways to score points in a folkstyle match:  Takedown, Escape, Reversal, Near-Fall, and Penalty.


Move Points Description
Takedown 2 From a neutral position (both wrestlers standing with neither having control), one wrestler gains control over the other down on the mat
Escape 1 From a defensive position (bottom), one wrestler gains a neutral position and the other has lost control
Reversal 2 From a defensive position (bottom), one wrestler gains control over the other, either on the mat or in a rear standing position
Near-Fall 2-3 One wrestler exposes the other’s back to the mat at a 45 degree angle or less. 2 points are awarded if the position is held for 3 seconds, and 3 points are awarded if held for 5 seconds
Penalty 1-2 Penalty points are awarded for illegal holds, stalling, and technical violations like unsportsmanlike conduct. In general, first and second violations result in 1 point each, a third violation results in 2 points, and a fourth violation results in disqualification