In the realm of collegiate wrestling, there's a growing trend among top-tier athletes: embracing freestyle and greco wrestling alongside folkstyle. While folkstyle wrestling is undoubtedly the primary focus in the United States, the benefits of incorporating freestyle and Greco techniques into training routines cannot be overstated. In this blog, we'll explore why folkstyle wrestlers should consider adding these styles to their repertoire and how doing so can elevate their performance to new heights.

1. Expanding Technique Repertoire:

• Folkstyle wrestling, with its emphasis on mat work and control, often limits exposure to certain techniques compared to freestyle and Greco.
• Freestyle encourages a more dynamic style of wrestling with greater emphasis on explosive takedowns and quick transitions.
• Greco wrestling focuses on upper-body throws and clinch work, providing valuable insight into body positioning and leverage that can be applied across styles.
• By incorporating techniques from freestyle and Greco, folkstyle wrestlers can become more well-rounded competitors, better equipped to handle a variety of situations on the mat.

2. Enhanced Mat Awareness:

• Freestyle wrestling's rule set, which rewards exposure and active wrestling, fosters a heightened sense of mat awareness.
• Wrestlers must constantly be mindful of their position relative to the edge of the mat, as stepping out can result in points for the opponent.
• This increased spatial awareness translates seamlessly to folkstyle wrestling, where understanding mat positioning can be the difference between scoring points or conceding them.

3. Conditioning and Agility:

• Freestyle and Greco wrestling place a premium on explosive movements and quick reactions.
• Training in these styles can significantly improve a wrestler's conditioning and agility, attributes that are invaluable in the fast-paced environment of folkstyle competition.
• By diversifying training to include freestyle and Greco techniques, wrestlers can develop the speed and endurance necessary to outlast opponents and maintain a competitive edge.

4. Exposure to New Styles of Competition:

• Embracing freestyle and Greco wrestling introduces folkstyle wrestlers to different regional styles of competition that they may not encounter in traditional folkstyle tournaments.
• Freestyle and Greco tournaments within your region attract a diverse range of competitors, including those from neighboring areas and with varying wrestling backgrounds.
• Wrestlers who participate in these tournaments have the opportunity to face off against opponents with different skill sets and techniques, providing valuable experience in adapting to various wrestling styles prevalent in their region.
• This exposure challenges wrestlers to broaden their technical abilities within their local wrestling community and fosters adaptability and strategic thinking crucial for success in any competitive arena.

5. Collegiate Wrestling Landscape:

• The collegiate wrestling landscape is evolving, with an increasing number of top-tier athletes incorporating freestyle and Greco wrestling into their training regimens.
• Many of the most successful collegiate wrestlers have backgrounds in freestyle and Greco wrestling, leveraging their diverse skill sets to dominate on the mat.
• Embracing freestyle and Greco wrestling can give folkstyle wrestlers a competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive collegiate wrestling environment.

Incorporating freestyle and Greco wrestling into a folkstyle wrestler's training regimen offers a multitude of benefits, from expanding technique repertoires to enhancing mat awareness and conditioning. As the collegiate wrestling landscape continues to evolve, embracing these styles can provide a competitive edge that sets athletes apart from their peers. So, why aren't you wrestling freestyle? It's time to unlock your full potential on the mat by embracing the dynamic world of freestyle and Greco wrestling.