United World Wrestling Implements Scoring Improvements for Freestyle

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 8) – United World Wrestling has announced a handful of scoring modifications for freestyle and women’s wrestling. The reforms follow the recent success of similar changes in Greco-Roman wrestling.

The revisions state that all turns are now two points regardless of where they occur on the mat or how far an opponent is from danger. Previously hand-to-hand exposures were counted as one point each. The auto touche -- a rule that had previously sought to encourage technical proficiency from the top position – has also been eliminated. The rule had caused some scoring confusion among wrestlers and fans.

Step-out rules were also improved. Wrestlers who have lift an opponent, but who step in the protection area during such an action are no longer penalized for the infraction. The situation rarely occurs in freestyle wrestling, but United World Wrestling wanted to clarify the ruling while also encouraging attacking wrestlers.

“These were reasonable improvements that have passed through several commissions and were approved by the executive board,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. “These changes will ensure a much better experience for the wrestlers and the fans of the sport.”

Circular Letter to National Federations