American college wrestlers grow up in one style and often move into another after college. These are the three styles you will hear about.
Folkstyle (collegiate)
Folkstyle is the style of US high school and NCAA wrestling. It rewards control: a wrestler on top must ride and break down the opponent, and the wrestler underneath scores by escaping or reversing. College folkstyle also tracks riding time, the advantage in time spent in control on top.
Freestyle
Freestyle is one of two Olympic styles. Attacks on the legs are allowed, as in folkstyle, but there is far less emphasis on riding. Exposing an opponent’s back to the mat scores heavily, and points come quickly from throws and turns.
Greco-Roman
Greco-Roman is the other Olympic style. Wrestlers may not attack below the waist or use their legs to trip, so the style is built on upper-body clinches, lifts and big throws.
Why it matters
Top college wrestlers often switch to freestyle for world and Olympic competition after their NCAA careers. Several NCAA champions have also moved into MMA, where the takedown and top-control skills of folkstyle are highly valued.
The three styles compared
| Folkstyle | Freestyle | Greco-Roman | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | US high school and college | Olympics and international | Olympics and international |
| Leg attacks | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Riding time | Scored | No | No |
| Emphasis | Control on the mat | Exposure, big throws | Upper-body throws and lifts |
| Bout length | 7 minutes (3-2-2) | Two 3-minute periods | Two 3-minute periods |
Most American Olympic wrestlers grew up in folkstyle and switch to freestyle after college, which is why the US is traditionally strongest in freestyle and less successful in Greco-Roman. College stars such as the 2026 NCAA champions often compete in freestyle events such as Final X in the summer.
Our tip
Watch an NCAA final and an Olympic freestyle final back to back: the difference in pace and scoring is the quickest way to understand the styles. Our 2026 NCAA results list every champion.
FAQ
Which style is used at the NCAA Championships?
Folkstyle, also called collegiate wrestling.
Can you grab the legs in Greco-Roman?
No. Greco-Roman bans attacks below the waist and using the legs to trip or lift.