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UWW vs NCAA

AFirst Sport

UWW

Wrestling

First 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

BSecond Sport

NCAA

Wrestling (NCAA Folkstyle)

Second 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

Shared Topics

Different Rules

Shared Rules

Rule-by-Rule Comparison(8)

2.2 Personal Hygiene & Appearance

Different

UWW

Not covered

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.

3.1 Mat Specifications

Different

UWW

All UWW-sanctioned competitions take place on a regulation wrestling mat. The mat is a square platform with a circular competition surface marked upon it.

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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