The 3-Point Takedown - Folkstyle's Sea Change

[Wrestleknownothing]

50% more points should be 50% more fun.

But is it working? Does it incentivize more action and risk taking?

https://wrestling.guru/2026/03/27/the-3-point-takedown-folkstyles-sea-change/

[kschlosser]

So with the introduction of the three point takedown, should we have increased the stalling penalties to 1-2-3-DQ to encourage more action earlier from the idling wrestler or to stop someone from sitting on a lead? Am I just hung up on a single theory of analysis, misreading the data, or letting my personal biases confound WKNs work?

Edited March 29 by kschlosser
Expansion of thought

[1032004]

I still like the 3 point TD because I think a TD should be worth more than double an escape (or first 2 stalling points), even if it did decrease action.

I think the improved levels of defense is the biggest factor.  Because counterscoring is so prominent, guys are afraid to initiate offense because they’re afraid to give up 3 on a counter.  And since a lot of guys are so good at countering, they think their best chance at scoring is to wait for the other guy to shoot - but it seems a lot of times both guys are doing that.

I think a reversal should be worth 3, but I don’t think stalling should be worth any more.  I actually like Cael’s idea of getting rid of stalling.  It’s too subjective, and I feel like there is just so much complaining about it - it seems fans most often complain about not calling stalling enough, and then when they do call it you get people complaining when a stall was called that they didn’t think was warranted.

[PUWrestler]

What would happen if you made riding time worth 2 points instead of 1?

Folkstyle wrestling is supposed to be about controlling your opponent. In these low scoring matches, there is little attempt to ride out your opponent until the tiebreakers. With a 2-point differential between a takedown and an escape, the 1 point of riding time isn't worth enough to try to ride out a period. Making riding time 2 points would encourage more mat wrestling, a distinguishing feature of folkstyle.

I also think the way stalling is currently called in the top/bottom position is better than the way it is called from neutral.

[1032004]

19 minutes ago, PUWrestler said:

What would happen if you made riding time worth 2 points instead of 1?

Folkstyle wrestling is supposed to be about controlling your opponent. In these low scoring matches, there is little attempt to ride out your opponent until the tiebreakers. With a 2-point differential between a takedown and an escape, the 1 point of riding time isn't worth enough to try to ride out a period. Making riding time 2 points would encourage more mat wrestling, a distinguishing feature of folkstyle.

I also think the way stalling is currently called in the top/bottom position is better than the way it is called from neutral.

This is a good idea.  As Shane Sparks would say, riding is HARDDDD.   I’d be on board with making riding time worth more.    But I also think you should have to earn NF to get riding time.

[Don Caballero]

I liked it at first but now I don't like the three point TD to be honest. It has elevated the importance / significance it a TD and I think guys are more defensive as a result. 

 

I would have preferred if they had made intentional release worth zero points for the bottom guy. That would avoid the issues with TD / escape point previously mentioned.

[forkemaz]

It seems like a case of the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Guys who were scoring lots of points score more points and guys who were not scoring a lot score even less.

I don't think there is a perfect rule or scoring change that will cause guys to be more active and take more risks. I found the part about making take downs worth 1.5 interesting at least, and laughed at how the refs might signal it. 

[ionel]

1 hour ago, 1032004 said:

I think a reversal should be worth 3 ...

... reversal should be worth 2.5 pts.  

[forkemaz]

42 minutes ago, ionel said:

... reversal should be worth 2.5 pts.  

2.75 and we have a deal

[Dan-by Taco]

My thought from the very start was it would create more stalling.  You get a 2 point lead it takes even more stall calls to even things up.  If you are only ahead by 1, a warning then a point ties it up, so you can't stall as much imo. Guys seem reluctant to go for it and give up an easy go behind even more so.  After watching a while I see it as it helps with guys going for bonus points and makes it much easier to major or tech so maybe helps the dominant guys stay active, but seems to create more 1-1 SV matches too.  I have not done any study or numbers so not scientific just a feel I have.  

[Caveira]

We should increase all points by a large factor.  Make scores look like football games so our brains think there is more scoring. 
 

more big points on board = better 

[ionel]

47 minutes ago, forkemaz said:

2.75 and we have a deal

I won't go over 2.55.

[ionel]

Just now, Caveira said:

We should increase all points by a large factor.  Make scores look like football games so our brains think there is more scoring. 
 

more big points on board = better 

^5

[CyGold]

2 hours ago, PUWrestler said:

What would happen if you made riding time worth 2 points instead of 1?

Folkstyle wrestling is supposed to be about controlling your opponent. In these low scoring matches, there is little attempt to ride out your opponent until the tiebreakers. With a 2-point differential between a takedown and an escape, the 1 point of riding time isn't worth enough to try to ride out a period. Making riding time 2 points would encourage more mat wrestling, a distinguishing feature of folkstyle.

I also think the way stalling is currently called in the top/bottom position is better than the way it is called from neutral.

To the original question:  I think the 3 pt TD has been great. 

 

Regarding mat wrestling here are my ideas 

1.  1 sec rt advantage = 1 point 

2.  1 minute rt advantage = 2 points 

3.  Each full minute of rt over 1 minute = another 1 point (no limit to rt points)

4.  Here's the kicker... after 30 seconds of continuous riding the ref automatically stops action for a restart.   (Unless bottom has back exposed)  This keeps ref from having to decide stalling on either top or bottom wrestler.  It gives bottom wrestler advantage of having a restart opportunity (similar to ot ride out situations)

5.  Step fully out (back first) = automatic Stall (I  agree with Cael)

 

These changes would help refs by clarifying stalling and eliminate some inconsistencies in how stalling is called on the mat and edges.   It would also create more action from top/bottom positions.

[alex1fly]

takedown 3 pts
Reversal 3 pts

riding time 2 points

or what if you remove escape points. Guys would choose top instead of bottom. Makes reversals worth more. 

though in all honesty I don’t know if there is a perfect scoring hierarchy that solves all problems for all people. 

[Caveira]

2 minutes ago, alex1fly said:

takedown 3 pts
Reversal 3 pts

riding time 2 points

or what if you remove escape points. Guys would choose top instead of bottom. Makes reversals worth more. 

though in all honesty I don’t know if there is a perfect scoring hierarchy that solves all problems for all people. 

We should Have a guy on a raised mound of dirt throw a ball towards a “plate”.   Have the opponent carry a wooden stick of sorts try to hit the ball but it can only be fairly hit in a 90 degree angle from the corner of the plate they throw the ball at.    The stick  wielder has to run around 4 of these white puffy squares in the dirt.   

i am sure there are more  rules we can change.  

[alex1fly]

3 minutes ago, Caveira said:

We should Have a guy on a raised mound of dirt throw a ball towards a “plate”.   Have the opponent carry a wooden stick of sorts try to hit the ball but it can only be fairly hit in a 90 degree angle from the corner of the plate they throw the ball at.    The stick  wielder has to run around 4 of these white puffy squares in the dirt.   

i am sure there are more  rules we can change.  

lol omg can we have wrestlers run the bases AND wrestle each other simultaneously?

[Caveira]

1 minute ago, alex1fly said:

lol omg can we have wrestlers run the bases AND wrestle each other simultaneously?

Haven’t worked it out yet but that sounds like a good rule 

[alex1fly]

Just now, Caveira said:

Haven’t worked it out yet but that sounds like a good rule 

Pushout point between first and second base should be worth 2

[Caveira]

10 minutes ago, alex1fly said:

Pushout point between first and second base should be worth 2

Go big.  A takedown should be at least 7.   Pushouts 3.    Near fall 12-15.   Stalling should not have a warning and Should not have a point. 

I know it’s radical.  But us fans need constant action.   Screw the wrestlers stamina.  Screw the down side to bad shots.  

Caning.   Opposing coaches should get one whack from a Cain on the first stall.  And it should go up by powers of 2 each time.  1,2,4,8,16 etc.  no dq allowed.  
 

There is no crying in wrestlingball says tom hanks 

edit.  Coaches are not allowed to practice caning.  But accusations of them secretly practicing it are rampant among opposing fan bases 

Edited March 29 by Caveira

[ionel]

9 minutes ago, Caveira said:

We should Have a guy on a raised mound of dirt throw a ball towards a “plate”.   Have the opponent carry a wooden stick of sorts try to hit the ball but it can only be fairly hit in a 90 degree angle from the corner of the plate they throw the ball at.    The stick  wielder has to run around 4 of these white puffy squares in the dirt.   

... if any players on the field attempt to slow down or stop the stick wielder from running they shall be warned for stalling on the first occurrence and their team shall be deducted 1 pt on the second occurrence ... 

[He Rassle]

Some people are gonna think this is premature, but I think Shohei Ohtani is the greatest wrestler of all time.

[jmoney]

10 hours ago, ionel said:

^5

powers are powerful, the title of my favorite middle school math lessons

[Wildcat92]

On 3/29/2026 at 7:21 AM, 1032004 said:

This is a good idea.  As Shane Sparks would say, riding is HARDDDD.   I’d be on board with making riding time worth more.    But I also think you should have to earn NF to get riding time.

This.  Riding without any real attempts to turn is the norm now.  Lots of parallel rides just to build up riding time with no thought of turning their opponent.  NF should be scored to earn the riding time point.

[Hank]

all that needs to happen is that the refs start calling stalling when warranted throughout the entire match.  you dont have to make it more complicated than it needs to be.