Women’s wrestling is in a conundrum. 

Girls' high school wrestling uses folkstyle rules. College wrestling uses freestyle rules. 

There are similarities, of course, but the differences are big enough that a transition from one style to another can be tricky — especially if you’ve never wrestled freestyle before. 

Charlotte Bailey, women’s director for Iowa-USA Wrestling, thinks modified folkstyle rules are the answer. 

“Modified folkstyle rules are simple rule adaptations that were made to help with the development of wrestlers and to give them an experience that was more like freestyle,” Bailey said. “It’s taking two concepts that are usually in a freestyle match and putting them in folkstyle, but keeping it definitively folkstyle. Referees who are used to folkstyle, and anyone else who doesn’t know the UWW rules, can still officiate using the modified rules.”

Here is everything you need to know:

1. All neutral restarts

2. Step-out points apply

You’ll start back on your feet if you go out of bounds.

You’ll start back on your feet if there is a stalemate.

You’ll start back on your feet if a hold is potentially dangerous. 

You'll start on your feet at the beginning of every period, which means no coin tosses. 

Both wrestlers begin in the neutral position with every stop in the action. You can still turn and ride and pin — but you better hustle because you’ll be back on your feet once that action stops. 

Bailey has used modified folkstyle rules for women’s tournaments since 2015 and she likes how it bridges the gap between both styles. She sees it as added value since most of the action is on the feet instead of on the mat. 

“Developmentally, a lot of these girls are starting wrestling way later,” Bailey said. “Spending a bunch of time on something that’s not going to help them as much is not the best use of their time. Plus, when you start on your feet, you have an opportunity for exciting matches.”

Anecdotally, this rule set could prevent injuries. Girls tend to be more flexible, so they wouldn’t have to fight turns for an entire period if the action gets called potentially dangerous. That could prevent torn shoulders and knees. 

“I think anyone who is new to wrestling might benefit from modified rules,” Bailey said. “I can see it having an application in junior high regardless of gender. I would love to see Iowa adopt it for high school girls.”

New York is exploring freestyle rules for girls' high school wrestling but they might bridge the gap with modified folkstyle rules. Iowa has a legitimate shot at changing the rules since it is the only state with separate boys' and girls' athletic associations. 

Either way, the trend can’t be ignored. And it might be the future of girls' high school wrestling.