Mat · Guide
Olympic wrestling: Greco-Roman vs freestyle, rules and scoring
Two styles, one mat, 18 Olympic medals per Games. Wrestling is one of the hardest sports for a spectator to read — until they understand how points are awarded.
- 2 × 3'
- Match length
- 18
- Olympic weight classes
- 10 / 8
- Points for technical superiority (FS / GR)
- UWW
- World governing body
The two Olympic styles
| Greco-Roman | Freestyle | |
|---|---|---|
| Holds below the waist | Banned | Allowed |
| Use of legs (trips, leg locks) | Banned | Allowed |
| Olympic programme | Men (6 classes) | Men (6) + Women (6) |
| Typical style | Chest throws, bridges, suplexes | Leg attacks (single/double leg), turns |
Greco-Roman is the “old” style (Olympic since 1896); freestyle was added in 1904 and women’s freestyle in 2004.
Olympic weight classes (since 2020)
| Greco-Roman (men) | Freestyle (men) | Freestyle (women) |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 57 kg | 50 kg |
| 67 kg | 65 kg | 53 kg |
| 77 kg | 74 kg | 57 kg |
| 87 kg | 86 kg | 62 kg |
| 97 kg | 97 kg | 68 kg |
| 130 kg | 125 kg | 76 kg |
World Championships have 10 classes per style; the Olympics only 6.
Duration and structure
- Two periods of 3 minutes with a 30-second break.
- Points accumulate across both periods (periods used to be scored separately — abolished in 2013).
- Matches take place on a circular 9-metre mat with a 1-metre red passivity zone around the edge.
How points are awarded
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Pushing the opponent out of bounds (push-out) | 1 |
| Takedown with control | 2 |
| Turning the opponent into danger (shoulders < 90° to the mat) | 2 |
| Reversal — from bottom to top | 1 |
| Big throw bringing the opponent directly into danger | 4 |
| Grand-amplitude throw (lifted and thrown) — mainly Greco-Roman | 5 |
| Opponent’s caution (passivity, infringement) | 1 or 2 |
How a match ends
- Fall (pin) — both shoulders on the mat. Immediate win.
- Technical superiority — a lead of 10 points in freestyle or 8 in Greco-Roman. The match stops.
- Time — the wrestler with more points wins. On a tie, the winner is whoever: scored the highest-value action → has fewer cautions → scored last.
- Injury / disqualification / forfeit.
Passivity — the rule that confuses everyone
The referee must ensure both wrestlers attack.
- Freestyle: the passive wrestler is warned and put on a 30-second activity clock. If they fail to score, the opponent gets 1 point.
- Greco-Roman: the passive wrestler is put in par terre — placed on hands and knees while the opponent gets 1 point plus the chance to turn them (the spectacular Greco-Roman reversals usually come from here).
Challenge and video review
Each corner may request one review per match by throwing a foam block onto the mat. If the challenge fails, the opponent gets 1 point and the corner loses the right. If it succeeds, the right is kept.
Differences from wrestling in MMA
Wrestling is the strongest base in modern MMA, but the rules differ fundamentally: in the octagon there is no pin, no push-out, and lying on your back (guard) is a defence, not a danger. More in the MMA rules guide and the history of wrestling in Greece.
// FAQ
▸What is the main difference between the two styles?
In Greco-Roman any hold below the waist is banned, as is using the legs to attack or defend. In freestyle holds on the whole body and trips are allowed.
▸What is a fall (pin)?
When a wrestler holds both of the opponent’s shoulders on the mat at the same time, even for a moment. It ends the match immediately, regardless of the score.
▸Is there women's Greco-Roman?
Not on the Olympic programme. Women compete only in freestyle (6 classes), since 2004.
The world's oldest sport
Now you know why the referee held up two fingers.
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