I'm not a freestyle dummy by any means but my mind is just wandering and I think I finally have figured out the unifying theme of why freestyle feels so off to me. I see many reasons why freestyle is anti-offense. Or maybe I should say it rewards defense or conservatism or whatever. Anyways I'm not trying to convince anybody, just taking a brain break during work lol
1. Step out points. Once near the edge, athletes either don't want to wrestle for fear of giving up a point, or they switch tactics and start trying to push their opponent out. Result, less offense.
2. Exposure points. You give up points when scrambling or taking any shot that is not conservative. This limits the types of shots you can take, and you're punished when scrambling. Result, less offense.
3. Passivity. One athlete goes on the clock, and it is KNOWN that they will attempt offense in that time period. Their opponent adopts an ultra-defensive mindset. Result, less offense. Athletes also game it by being ultra defensive in the first period, intentionally going on the clock first, being ultra defensive in the second period and forcing the ref to put their opponent on the clock second, then winning the match 1-1 on criteria. Result, less offense.
4. Chained gut wrench/trap arm/leg lace. Set up one good hold and the match is over. Unless there's a golden opportunity, everybody goes for the same three holds. Athlete on bottom does nothing but become a turtle. Result, less offense.
5. Par terre restarts. Athletes get around 4-10 seconds before the ref restarts them. Not nearly enough time to set up anything that isn't a gut/trap/lace. Result, less offense.
6. Six minute matches. Matches end faster. Result, less (time for) offense.
7. Ten point tech fall. Matches end faster from points and also the ability to chain together turns. Result, less offense.
8. No athlete choice. Freestyle is wrestled 95% in neutral. Links us back to several above points. Result, less offense.
I would love to watch matches with a freestyle enthusiast. Someone that LOVES the style and could help me appreciate the nuances that I'm surely missing.
1. Step out points. Once near the edge, athletes either don't want to wrestle for fear of giving up a point, or they switch tactics and start trying to push their opponent out. Result, less offense.
2. Exposure points. You give up points when scrambling or taking any shot that is not conservative. This limits the types of shots you can take, and you're punished when scrambling. Result, less offense.
3. Passivity. One athlete goes on the clock, and it is KNOWN that they will attempt offense in that time period. Their opponent adopts an ultra-defensive mindset. Result, less offense. Athletes also game it by being ultra defensive in the first period, intentionally going on the clock first, being ultra defensive in the second period and forcing the ref to put their opponent on the clock second, then winning the match 1-1 on criteria. Result, less offense.
4. Chained gut wrench/trap arm/leg lace. Set up one good hold and the match is over. Unless there's a golden opportunity, everybody goes for the same three holds. Athlete on bottom does nothing but become a turtle. Result, less offense.
5. Par terre restarts. Athletes get around 4-10 seconds before the ref restarts them. Not nearly enough time to set up anything that isn't a gut/trap/lace. Result, less offense.
6. Six minute matches. Matches end faster. Result, less (time for) offense.
7. Ten point tech fall. Matches end faster from points and also the ability to chain together turns. Result, less offense.
8. No athlete choice. Freestyle is wrestled 95% in neutral. Links us back to several above points. Result, less offense.
I would love to watch matches with a freestyle enthusiast. Someone that LOVES the style and could help me appreciate the nuances that I'm surely missing.
