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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 — February 2026 amendments (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(2)

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...

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.

5.2 Starting Positions

Different

NCAA

Neutral position: Both wrestlers standing, facing each other on the starting lines. Used to begin the 1st period and when selected by choice.; Referee's position (top/bottom): The bottom wrestler kneels on both knees with hands placed on the starting lines. The top wrestler kneels to the side wit...

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