For high school wrestlers who primarily train in folkstyle, adding Greco-Roman wrestling to their skillset can provide significant advantages. Since Greco only allows upper-body attacks, it forces wrestlers to develop strength, technique, and positioning that translate well back to folkstyle.
Here are the key benefits of training in Greco-Roman wrestling:
Superior Hand Fighting & Control
- Greco emphasizes dominant ties and hand control, which improves a wrestler’s ability to dictate the pace in neutral.
- Wrestlers develop strong inside ties, underhooks, and head position, making it easier to set up takedowns in folkstyle.
👉 Why It Matters: Strong hand fighting in folkstyle leads to better control, easier takedown setups, and increased scoring chances.
Better Core Strength & Explosive Power
- Because leg attacks aren’t allowed in Greco, wrestlers must rely on their hips, core, and upper body for offense and defense.
- Lifting and throwing require explosive strength, improving powerful finishes on takedowns and mat returns.
👉 Why It Matters: Greco training builds a stronger core and explosive movement, making folkstyle wrestlers harder to take down and better at finishing shots.
Stronger Mat Awareness & Balance
- Greco teaches wrestlers how to stay in good position while under pressure.
- Because there are no leg attacks, Greco wrestlers learn to maintain posture and keep their hips in the right position at all times.
👉 Why It Matters: A wrestler with good posture and balance in neutral is less likely to get out of position or taken down in folkstyle.
More Dangerous Upper-Body Offense & Defense
- Training in Greco improves throws, trips, and body locks, which can lead to more big-point moves in folkstyle.
- Wrestlers also learn how to counter upper-body attacks, making them more comfortable defending against opponents who use underhooks, headlocks, or lat drops.
👉 Why It Matters: Being dangerous in upper-body positions gives folkstyle wrestlers more ways to score and a defensive edge against aggressive opponents.
Improved Pummeling & Conditioning
- Pummeling in Greco is intense and requires constant movement, hand fighting, and body positioning.
- Wrestling without attacking the legs forces athletes to fight for better positions for extended periods, which improves endurance.
👉 Why It Matters: Training in Greco improves a wrestler’s ability to control ties, wear down opponents, and push the pace—all useful in folkstyle.
Mental Toughness & Confidence in Close Quarters
- Greco is physical, with lots of pressure and hand fighting in tight spaces.
- Wrestlers get used to fighting in the trenches, making them more comfortable and confident in physical exchanges.
👉 Why It Matters: A wrestler who stays calm and composed in tough situations is more likely to outwork and outlast their opponent in folkstyle matches.
Final Thoughts
Greco-Roman wrestling makes folkstyle wrestlers stronger, tougher, and more effective in neutral positions. The emphasis on hand fighting, body control, balance, and explosive power translates directly into better takedown setups, stronger mat returns, and improved overall conditioning.