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NCAA vs UWW

AFirst Sport

NCAA

Wrestling (NCAA Folkstyle)

First Sport

Details

Players1

Settingboth

SeasonNCAA Men's Wrestling Rules 2025-26/2026-27 Rules Book + Case Book (matside video review changes approved June 2025; mat-return broomstick eliminated from illegal holds)

CategoryCombat Sports

BSecond Sport

UWW

Wrestling

Second Sport

Details

Players1

Settingboth

SeasonUWW International Wrestling Rules — January 2026 edition (Freestyle + Greco-Roman; PDF at cdn.uww.org/2026-01/wrestling_rules.pdf)

CategoryCombat Sports

Shared Topics

Different Rules

Shared Rules

Rule-by-Rule Comparison(8)

2.2 Personal Hygiene & Appearance

Different

NCAA

In NCAA Folkstyle Wrestling, mandatory use of protective ear guards is a critical safety measure. Singlets must be school-issued and display appropriate colors.

UWW

Not covered

3.1 Mat Specifications

Different

NCAA

The NCAA wrestling mat is a circular competition surface with the following dimensions: Overall mat area: Minimum 42 feet (12.8 meters) in diameter, providing a large safety zone.; Wrestling area: 32-foot (9.75-meter) inner circle where competition takes place. This is bounded by a 1-inch boundar...

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Compare Rules

Rule-by-Rule Comparison(8)

2.2 Personal Hygiene & Appearance

3.1 Mat Specifications

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3.2 Mat Surface & Markings

5.2 Starting Positions

5.3 In-Bounds & Out-of-Bounds

7.2 Illegal Holds & Maneuvers

8.2 Skin Health & Communicable Disease

8.5 Illegal Holds & Referee Responsibility