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Youth Program Central* Search for Wrestling Camps
WRESTLING HISTORY OF WRESTLING The earliest historical reference to wrestling is found in French cave sketches dating as far back as 15,000 years ago. (1) Wrestling sketches, dating 3,000 B.C., have also been found in Babylonian and Egyptian artwork. Additionally, it's recorded that ancient civilizations living in China and Japan were involved in wrestling. (2) In 708 B.C., records indicate the first Olympic wrestling match occurred. (3) The sport of wrestling continued between the 5th and 15th centuries in Europe and Japan. European wrestling popularity was not left behind as colonists found their way to America. Later, in 1888, a national wrestling tournament was held in New York City. (1) The United States Wrestling Federation (USWF) was formed in May of 1968 by a group who wanted to break off from wrestling governance that was, up to that point, managed by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). In April 1969, the USWF held a national wrestling championship in Illinois. (3) WHAT IS WRESTLING? Wrestling involves two athletes with a primary goal of forcing the other to the floor in order to "pin" the opponent's shoulders to the mat, thus winning the wrestling match. If neither wrestler is pinned during the match, the winner is declared based on the highest number of points earned during the wrestling match. TYPES OF WRESTLING There are three distinct types of wrestling - freestyle, Greco-Roman, and collegiate-style. Freestyle wrestling involves the use of the entire body. Greco-Roman wrestling does not allow the use of the legs in either defensive or offensive moves, thus necessitating all holds to be made above the waist. Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling are internationally recognized. Collegiate-style wrestling is unique to North America and is characteristically most like freestyle wrestling. A WRESTLING MATCH Wrestlers compete in categories based on weight thus insuring neither opponent has an unfair advantage over the other. A wrestling match lasts for a specified amount of time. Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling matches consist of two time periods that last for three minutes. A collegiate-style-wrestling match, at the university level, consists of three time periods, the first, three minutes long and the next two consisting of two minutes each. High school wrestling matches have three periods that all last two minutes. SCORING POINTS DURING A WRESTLING MATCH The four wrestling moves that earn points in all above mentioned wrestling styles are called escapes, reversals, takedowns, and the placing of an opponent's back toward the mat. An escape occurs when a wrestler breaks free from the opponent's hold, stands up, and faces the opponent. A reversal occurs when a wrestler breaks free from the opponent's hold and gains a position of control on top of the other wrestler. A takedown occurs when one wrestler takes the other wrestler down to the mat. In freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, if one wrestler is able to slant the opponent's back past the ninety-degree angle towards the mat, points are earned. In collegiate-style wrestling the opponent's back must pass the forty-five degree angle, towards the mat, in order for points to be earned. If neither opponent is pinned during a wrestling match and the match ends in a tie, an overtime period occurs. (1) REFERENCES 1. "Wrestling," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2004 © 1997-2004 Microsoft Corporation. (10/15/04). 2. Lindaman, Matthew. "WRESTLING'S HOLD ON THE WETERN WORLD BEFORE THE GREAT WAR." Historian Summer 2000, Vol. 62 Issue 4, p779, 19p, 5bw. WRESTLING'S HOLD ON THE WESTERN WORLD BEFORE THE GREAT WAR.. (10/15/04). 3. "History of Wrestling." Joey's Wrestling Room. (10/15/04).
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