USA Wrestling
MASSACHUSETTS
What makes a champion?
An intricate combination of many factors go into the making
of a champion! The champion of today must be made aware of more than just
techniques and general body conditioning. He must come to know all aspects
of himself and how to improve on each of them.
Our objective is to promote Folkstyle, Freetstyle and Greco-Roman wrestling
at all age levels. Our intent is to represent our state both regionally
and nationally with the best trained athletes.
OUR STATE PHILOSOPHY:
. . . . . . Instill proper attitudes toward training
. . . . . . Introduce methods of training
. . . . . . Emphasize the aerobic/anaerobic aspects of werstling conditioning
. . . . . . Improve Skill Levels
. . . . . . Improve knowledge and execution of wrestling techniques
. . . . . . Understand international rules
. . . . . . Develop mat strategy based on rules
. . . . . . Develop an aggressive, positive, and offensive attitude
for wrestling
CONCEPT OF TOTAL WRESTLING:
"Total wrestling" is a concept demanding full aggressive
activity by the wrestler. Wrestlers must be mentally and physically prepared
to wrestle in the center of the mat throughout the entire match and be
willing to take risks in order to win. A wrestler will not be penalized
for making a good attempt or for taking a risk and missing a throw.
Defensive wrestling must be "aggressive" counter
wrestling, not merely moves to avoid combative situations. Defensive passivity
will be vigorously discouraged by the officials. Rules and penalties will
be forcefully applied to obtain spectacular and aggressive wrestling.
WRESTLING
Of the two styles of international wrestling,
Freestyle is by far the most popular in the United States, because it closely
resembles the Folkstyle practiced in our scholastic and collegiate programs.
In Freestyle, a wrestler may attack his opponent's
legs, as with single-leg and double-leg tackles, or may apply other holds
below the waist, such as the fireman's carry or the crotch lift.
He also may use his own legs to attack as with trips and some type of scissors
holds. The legs also may be used by the defensive wrestler to counter-attach
or to block certain lifts.
Such use of the legs also is an integral part
of American Folkstyle wrestling. The international Greco-Roman style,
on the contrary, forbids all use of the legs in attack or defense.
The principal difference between Freestyle and
Folkstyle is in philosophy. While the American style emphasizes control
and even awards points for riding time and for getting away, Freestyle
emphasizes domination of the opponent - taking him to the mat and turning
him to his back. There are no points in Freestyle for riding time,
but there are bonus points for throws executed in a spectacular manner.
Freestyle action is so much faster that it requires
three officials - a referee, judge, and mat chairman. Two of the
three must agree on all calls, including penalties for passivity (stalling).
If the wrestlers are down on the mat and there is no significant action,
the officials stand them up.
Points are scored in Freestyle for takedowns (1
point), reversals (1), escapes (1), and near falls (2). A near fall,
or tilt, is scored by turning an opponent's back to the mat at an angle
of less than 90 degrees, or by touching both his shoulders to the mat for
an instant. (If both shoulders are held to the mat for one-half second,
it is a fall and the match is over.)
If, from a standing position, a wrestler throws
his opponent directly into a near fall, the action is worth 3 points.
If such a maneuver is performed with a spectacular, high-arching throw,
it is worth 5 points. Such bonus points are not awarded in American
Folkstyle wrestling.
The five minute match can be cut short by a fall,
or by one wrestler opening up a 12-point lead on his opponent, or by disqualification
for illegal holds. If the match goes the distance, the winner is
determined on points. There are no draws' a "sudden death"
overtime will determine the winner when the points are even.
STATE TEAM SELECTION PROCESS
State Freestyle Championship Medalists
@ Framingham High , May
10
State Greco-Roman Championship Medalists
@ Natick High, May 3
Executive Board Nominations - nominees will be
evaluated based on the athlete's sportsmanship, local club, state club,
and tournament participation.
Petition by Wrestler to Executive Board - petitions
(in writing) will be considered on an individual basis.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
USA Wrestling Massachusetts will award partial
scholarships to the State Freestyle and Greco-Roman champions. The
following criteria must be met to receive the scholarship:
Agreement to attend local developmental training
programs (at no cost).
Agreement to attend 50% of the Massachusetts State
tournaments.
Agreement to enter the Freestyle and Greco-Roman
tournaments at the Junior Nationals.
Agreement to compete at the Junior National Tournament
in the same weight class entered at the State Championship (unless a weight
control program is established and agreed to by the coaching staff and
executive board).
Agreement to abide with the Massachusetts Wrestling
Program Code of Conduct.
On behalf of the executive board and coaching
staff of USA Wrestling Massachusetts, we welcome your membership and encourage
you to consider wrestling and training with the best athletes in the State.
Gordon Wrin
State Chairman
USA Wrestling Massachusetts
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