This description below is very good in describing how Taylor's bs wrestling would not have been tolerated in Freestyle (i.e., "Olympic Wrestling" - the actual sport Folk was created from) - and should not be (or have been) tolerated in Folk either as the Folk operates under the spirit of the same rule (i.e., the more aggressive wrestler attempting to score is supposed to be rewarded and the defensive, more passive, wrestler who is not carrying 50% of the Offensive action and is intentionally breaking engagements, then avoiding engagement.... etc... is SUPPOSED TO BE PENALIZED). Folk Officials encouraging and promoting the bs Taylor (and quite frankly AJ Ferrari as well) were pulling - which is what they are doing when they allow it to go go on in Neutral for for 6 1/2+ minutes of regulation - do Folk a huge disservice, because rewarding what are actually illegal tactics is disgraceful as they are REWARDING the diametric opposite wrestler the seminal rules of wrestling say is to be rewarded (IOW, they are doing the diametric opposite thing they are supposed to do as a wrestling Mat Official and penalizing the wrestler they are supposed to be rewarding, not to mention robbing a match from the more deserving wrestler that actually won under the real rules had the Official had the integrity to enforce them.). Again, here are the descriptions that are instructive to how egregious the Duke v Taylor match was called relative to legit rules on passivity in Neutral (taken from statements at USA Wrestling):
Can you flee from ties in freestyle wrestling?
View attachment 1174886
View attachment 1174887
In freestyle wrestling, you cannot "flee from holds" (including ties) or "flee the mat" without penalty, as these are considered passive, defensive tactics designed to avoid engagement
.
Fleeing the Hold/Mat Penalties:
- "Fleeing the Hold": If a wrestler refuses contact, backs away continuously, or tries to evade their opponent's hand engagement to prevent them from setting up a throw or takedown, the referee can issue a caution and award one point to the opponent.
- "Fleeing the Mat": Intentionally stepping out of bounds to avoid wrestling is penalized with a caution and one point for the opponent.
- Active Engagement Required: In the standing position, referees will stop the match and issue warnings (or "flee the hold" penalties) if a wrestler constantly maintains a "head down, hips back" posture without trying to attack.
The Key Difference from Other Styles:
Unlike folkstyle wrestling, there is no "escape" point for simply getting up from the bottom (par terre) position. Instead, if a wrestler is on the ground, the goal is to defend against turns (like gut wrenches) until the referee stands them up, or to reverse the opponent.
How to Properly Handle Ties:
Instead of fleeing, the rules encourage clearing ties through offensive techniques. You can:
- Clear the tie: Use hand-fighting techniques to remove the opponent's hand, such as snapping down the arm or moving to a wrist-drag.
- Counter-attack: Rather than running away, you should turn the opponent's tie into an offensive move.
- Circle and Change Levels: Constant movement is encouraged to avoid being stuck in a defensive position.
Repeated attempts to flee or stall will result in warnings, cautions, and eventual disqualification (three cautions).