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Freestyle & Greco

Freestyle/Greco 2024 Season Information

Season Schedule:

  • Season begins March 26th
  • We will have two mixed Freestyle/Greco sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and exclusively Greco Roman on Thursdays (6pm to 7:15 K-5 and 7:15- 8:30 MS/HS).   
  • Freestyle/Greco Tournaments link

Freestyle and Greco Tournaments 2024

Location School Date Type
Lake Crystal, MN March 30th 2024 Combo
Northland Community & Technical College April 5th, 2024 Combo
Southwest Minnesota State University April 6th 2024 Combo
Eastview Highschool April 6th 2024 Freestyle
Apple Valley April 12th-13th, 2024 Greco Friday, Freestyle Saturday
Jackson High School (Flat Earth) April 20th Combo
Forest Lake HS April 19th-20th, 2024 Greco Friday, Freestyle Saturday
Itasca Community College April 21st, 2024 Combo
Hutchinson April 27th Combo
Mayo Civic Center May 4th-5th 2024

State Tournament (Both styles)

 

  • MN USA State Tournament May 4th and 5th -- Rochester, MN https://www.mnusawrestling.org/page/show/27514-calendar
  • TBD - last official practice
  • TBD - Northern Plains (Central Nationals Tournament) - Rochester, MN (you qualify just by participating in USA state, wrestle kids from the central states in the US) – Bantam, Intermediate, Novice, Schoolboy/girl, Cadets, Juniors
  • Possible continued practices for those heading to Fargo and USA Nationals.
  • TBD – Kids Freestyle and Greco-Roman National Championships, Wisconsin Dells, WI – Bantam, Intermediate, Novice, Schoolboy/girl
  • TBD – Fargo – Cadet and Junior nationals!

What is Freestyle and Greco Roman Wrestling?

These are the styles of wrestling used in the Olympics, compared to Folkstyle wrestling, that is used in High School and Collegiate wrestling.  The rules were simplified last year with success when wrestling was saved from removal from the Olympics.  Freestyle and Greco start in March right after the Folkstyle season and are a lot of fun but are 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 of 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.  Whether you are experienced or just getting started, the Laker Freestyle Club is a wrestlers highway to outworking everyone, improving skills and gaining confidence.  Here are a few links to additional information on why freestyle and Greco training is beneficial to all wrestlers:

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 Laker Freestyle Club, 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 Laker Freestyle Club.  

Still have more questions?  Email Dan Collins at DanCollins@mchsi.com