Freestyle Match format:
Matches are divided into 3 periods (time length depends on age). Unlike folkstyle, wrestlers compete for each period. If a wrestler is winning after the first period, he wins that period. The wrestler who wins 2 out of the 3 periods is declared the winner. If a wrestler records a pin, the match will end at that time. If a wrestler leads by 6 or more points in the period, the period is stopped and the wrestler is declared the winner of that period.
Freestyle Scoring:
Points are awarded differently in Freestyle.
-Takedown = 1 point
-Push out =1 point (one wrestler steps out of bounds)
-Reversal = 1 point
-Nearfall = 2 points, if wrestler turns opponent passed 90 degrees to his back, instantly is 2pts
-Nearfall = 3 points, if a wrestler takes opponent from his feet to his back
-Nearfall = 1 point, if a wrestler, after scoring one of the above NF, holds his opponent on his back for an additional five seconds.
Wrestlers start each period on their feet. If a wrestler scores a takedown, wrestling continues on mat in the par terre or down position. Action will continue as long as the top wrestler can turn the bottom wrestler. If the top wrestler cannot turn the bottom wrestler, the referee will stand both wrestlers up.
Freestyle Tournament pairing format:
Freestyle does not use bracketing, they use a vertical pairing method. To establish a true championship bout, without the possibility that two wrestlers will meet twice in the same tournament, the vertical pairing format calls for a pool system, whereby each weight class is divided into two groups if larger than 5 in the bracket. Each pool, or group, is carried to a round-robin conclusion, called group finals. Place winners from the two groups then are paired in bouts to determine final placing in the event. The winner of the two groups compete for the championship. All tournaments are double elimination, but on some occasions a wrestler may have 3 losses. Each wrestler is numbered on the pairings chart. Wrestlers are matched by the next closest number to them. Winners do not necessarily wrestle winners in this system. Most tournaments award Trophies, Medals or ribbons for place winners.