Did you catch this?
"Although here in Kansas we are still deeply involved in the folkstyle season, we're not too far from the start of the Olympic styles - freestyle & Greco-Roman. FILA has announced a fairly significant rule change, effective immediately. If you're interested in checking out this new rule, click here. (3/07/09)"
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The following document is in regards to the rule changes implemented by FILA on January 31,
2009. This relates to Article 48 (specifically the Ordered Hold in Greco-Roman Wrestling),
which begins on page 44 in the 2009 USA Wrestling Rule Book.
The Greco-Roman matches are still won by winning 2 periods of 2 minutes broken down into 90
seconds of regular wrestling and 30 seconds of ordered ground wrestling. The wrestler who
takes the clinch will be able to choose between the side position (reverse body lock) or the back
position with his/her hands resting on the opponent’s shoulders and a knee to the mat. USAW
modification: For all age groups 14 years and younger, the athlete starting in the top position
must have both knees on the mat. In all periods, the wrestler who is winning by points after 90
seconds will have the advantage of the clinch and will not be penalized if he/she does not score
during the 30 seconds. In such situations, if the top wrestler does not advance his/her position,
the wrestlers will be placed in the standing position again to complete the period. At the end of 2
minutes, the winner of the period is declared.
If after 90 seconds the score of the period is tied 0-0, the advantage of the clinch will first be
given to the red wrestler. If the situation is repeated in the second period, the advantage of the
clinch will be given to the blue wrestler. When the clinch is ordered after a tied score of 0-0, the
top wrestler has to score to win the period. If the top wrestler does not score any point(s), the
bottom wrestler will receive 1 point and win the period.
If each wrestler won a period and the 3rd period is tied 0-0 after 90 seconds, the choice of the
position (top or bottom), will be given to the wrestler who scored the highest number of technical
points in the first two periods combined. If the two wrestlers scored the same number of
technical points, the value of the points will be taken into consideration (wrestler who had the
highest scoring move will have choice). If this still doesn’t allow reaching a decision, the
advantage of the clinch will be determined by draw. USAW modification: It is common for this
to be done by a coin flip. If no technical point is scored during the 30 seconds, 1 point will be
awarded to the bottom wrestler and he/she will be declared the winner of the match.
A few points to help clarify:
--For the first two periods, at the end of 90 seconds, the wrestler with the highest value
points would be on top. If the wrestlers are tied (not 0-0), the wrestler who scored last
will be on top.
--In the third period, if the score is tied 0-0 after 90 seconds, the wrestler who has scored
the most points in the first two periods will have choice.
--If a wrestler is in danger at 90 seconds, the match continues without going to the clinch.
If action goes out of bounds or the wrestler gets out of danger, the referee can restart in
the standing position when action has ceased.
--The top wrestler is allowed to have a knee between the bottom wrestler’s legs when
starting.
--If there is inactivity during the 30 second clinch, the official has the option of stopping
the match and restarting in the standing position.
--The only chance of a draw (ball draw or coin flip) is in the third period.
--The freestyle clinch remains in effect the same as in 2008.