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GLC1969

Junior
Jul 3, 2025
123
269
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The best endorsement possible coming from a guy that shouldn’t comment on actual wrestling above the high school level.

the restart starts at 12 seconds left. He should be circling right off that whistle. He doesn’t. Lilledahl shoots straight on 2 seconds later and Lee knee sprawls and comes immediately up and forward. Again, a mistake with a 1 pt lead and less than 10 secs left. After that he goes over/under plants his feet and circles FORWARD to the under OPENING up the headlock possibility to begin with.

NONE of that is smart wrestling with a small lead and short time left. Again, he should have circled back and up out of the sprawl and kept his hands low and circling. Make him shoot again sprawl and the match is over.

EVERYTHING he did maximized Luke’s chances to score. Luke still absolutely earned it, but it absolutely was poor short time management. You don’t need to score. You need to put yourself in the best situation possible to kill less than 10 seconds…
Wow thats not the Iowa way. Was Terry or Tom in the corner? Lee has taken some strange losses lately. The way he was not finishing reminds me of Gilman. IDK if the trials will get any better. LL is getting his takedowns SL not so much.
 

MSU158

All-Conference
Nov 20, 2014
1,257
3,360
113
Wow thats not the Iowa way. Was Terry or Tom in the corner? Lee has taken some strange losses lately. The way he was not finishing reminds me of Gilman. IDK if the trials will get any better. LL is getting his takedowns SL not so much.
Situational wrestling is beyond important with less than 10 seconds left. No reason to give them any chance to get their hands on you…
 
Jun 25, 2025
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Also if he didnt press forward LL would of gotten pushout pt and won on criteria
 
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MSU158

All-Conference
Nov 20, 2014
1,257
3,360
113
You literally wrote “He went full double unders.” You do make mistakes. It’s okay to admit that.
If you follow the conversation I openly said I went off memory and I openly admit I make plenty of mistakes. Still, If the detail I misremember is double unders when he got thrown to his under side of an over under, does that in anyway change the point of the argument?

it’s sort of like arguing against someone when they said it was so hot outside, it’s 97, when it’s actually 99. 99 or 97, it’s still fricking hot…
 
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Psalm 1 guy

All-Conference
Nov 3, 2019
1,206
4,611
113
Having re-watched the match a few times, of the three step out points Spencer earned, in two of them I think the step out was the best he could have accomplished. In the first sequence, Luke was able to apply a deep shin whizzer. When Spencer stood up with the leg, Luke was able to grab Spencer's other hand to keep him from transitioning. In the second sequence, Luke was able to apply a whizzer again so that Spencer couldn't get his whizzered arm around Luke's waist. The only step out sequence where Spencer had a fair chance at a TD was the third one where Spencer had Luke hopping on one leg. In that sequence, Spencer only had Luke's leg by one arm as Luke had his other hand tied up. Spencer wasn't able to free his hand until they were on the edge of the mat, but by then Luke had applied a whizzer. Bottom line, I actually think Spencer did a good job getting a step out in those three sequences. I don't think Spencer was "settling" for a step out as much as he was taking the only scoring opportunity that was reasonably available to him. Luke can be hard to score on, especially with his height advantage over Spencer.
 

Anon1746362370

Sophomore
May 4, 2025
64
146
33
I honestly thought Lee looked good leading up to the injury. He took what he could and had a commanding lead. I like LL and he's obviously a world level wrestler but I think, if healthy, Lee is still a small level above LL. Bottom line, Lee has to figure out his late match strategy in all situations. I'm amazed he was even close enough to get tossed with the Hail Mary headlock. Has anyone seen any info on his elbow?
 

Comment123

Freshman
Feb 26, 2019
38
99
18
I honestly thought Lee looked good leading up to the injury. He took what he could and had a commanding lead. I like LL and he's obviously a world level wrestler but I think, if healthy, Lee is still a small level above LL. Bottom line, Lee has to figure out his late match strategy in all situations. I'm amazed he was even close enough to get tossed with the Hail Mary headlock. Has anyone seen any info on his elbow?
have seen some people online saying he tore his ucl, nothing official though
 
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District 4

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2018
1,135
2,599
113
Internal wiring(instinct). Pretty much what takes over when you are tired. Very hard to coach out of someone...
The brain and basch were discussing on their show that spencer probably has the most matches in the last 10 years that didn't go the distance. It stands to reason that he isn't used to dealing with end of matches because he dominated most wrestlers and ends it early
 

MSU158

All-Conference
Nov 20, 2014
1,257
3,360
113
The brain and basch were discussing on their show that spencer probably has the most matches in the last 10 years that didn't go the distance. It stands to reason that he isn't used to dealing with end of matches because he dominated most wrestlers and ends it early
That definitely makes sense. Still, that is something you should have drilled thousands of times by now in practice. Especially when you are tired. One guy down by 1 with 15 or so seconds left and the other up by 1. In the case of Spencer, I would put a fresh guy on him and drill that after a few tough goes. Gotta get him more comfortable circling, especially when exhausted, and blocking off with short time left and STAY OUT OF THE DAMN TIES!!!!
 

dtripp26

Heisman
Oct 29, 2003
10,453
31,168
113
The brain and basch were discussing on their show that spencer probably has the most matches in the last 10 years that didn't go the distance. It stands to reason that he isn't used to dealing with end of matches because he dominated most wrestlers and ends it early
Wish he would have pressed a bit more to finish those early shots rather than settling for pushouts. Suppose he was in his own head again like last summer after Final X
 

jrod65

Senior
Jan 21, 2019
190
920
93
SSSSHHHHH...

For those posters who actually do care about knowing the rules, you probably should clarify that this is in reference to the new grounding pushout rules. There are a couple more situations than what you posted, but, yes, if grounded, just having your legs/feet out of the circle does not result in a pushout point. Your chest/head either needs to be out of the cylinder or in contact with the mat. Again, if grounded.

Serious questions as I'm somewhat familiar with freestyle rules, but not an expert by any means and still trying to figure out nuances of the changes:

1. What do the new rules say about when a wrestlers feet go oob while in a grounded position, but they then come up off their knees while feet still oob? Or in Lilledahl case, does elbow down still count as grounded?

1. Is there not a rule that states a wrestler cannot initiate a scoring move after going oob? That the attack must be started while in bounds? Or did I just make that up/confuse it with continuation?

Screenshot_20260425-210209_Chrome~2.jpg
 

chipackhawk

All-Conference
Jan 10, 2018
530
1,324
93
The brain and basch were discussing on their show that spencer probably has the most matches in the last 10 years that didn't go the distance. It stands to reason that he isn't used to dealing with end of matches because he dominated most wrestlers and ends it early
Makes sense - he doesn't have to deal with frantic end of match type situations all that often. Really a different defensive approach.
 

T8KUDWN

Senior
May 2, 2025
143
541
93
Serious questions as I'm somewhat familiar with freestyle rules, but not an expert by any means and still trying to figure out nuances of the changes:

1. What do the new rules say about when a wrestlers feet go oob while in a grounded position, but they then come up off their knees while feet still oob? Or in Lilledahl case, does elbow down still count as grounded?

1. Is there not a rule that states a wrestler cannot initiate a scoring move after going oob? That the attack must be started while in bounds? Or did I just make that up/confuse it with continuation?

View attachment 1277184
The elbow down should have given Spencer a point for the pushout.
At least how I read the new grounded/pushout rule.
 

maxpain

All-American
Jul 6, 2006
2,075
6,898
113
Serious questions as I'm somewhat familiar with freestyle rules, but not an expert by any means and still trying to figure out nuances of the changes:

1. What do the new rules say about when a wrestlers feet go oob while in a grounded position, but they then come up off their knees while feet still oob? Or in Lilledahl case, does elbow down still count as grounded?

1. Is there not a rule that states a wrestler cannot initiate a scoring move after going oob? That the attack must be started while in bounds? Or did I just make that up/confuse it with continuation?

View attachment 1277184

just saw this and I already posted it in another thread but they explain it pretty well on FRL at the 30 minute mark. Basically the wording is a pinning point has to also be out of bounds. That is to mean the head or chest also have to be out of bounds or above the “sphere” so that should have been Spencer’s point.

 
Jun 25, 2025
251
445
63
just saw this and I already posted it in another thread but they explain it pretty well on FRL at the 30 minute mark. Basically the wording is a pinning point has to also be out of bounds. That is to mean the head or chest also have to be out of bounds or above the “sphere” so that should have been Spencer’s point.


Wouldnt LL still win if 5-5? Only Takedown to LL?
 
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AndEEss

Senior
Jun 12, 2020
167
458
63
Serious questions as I'm somewhat familiar with freestyle rules, but not an expert by any means and still trying to figure out nuances of the changes:

1. What do the new rules say about when a wrestlers feet go oob while in a grounded position, but they then come up off their knees while feet still oob? Or in Lilledahl case, does elbow down still count as grounded?

1. Is there not a rule that states a wrestler cannot initiate a scoring move after going oob? That the attack must be started while in bounds? Or did I just make that up/confuse it with continuation?

View attachment 1277184

First, the elbow is irrelevant, and second, it’s not on the mat in the image shown above.

I explained the new rule several days ago; no, that is not a step out under the new rules. Not even close.
 

Psalm 1 guy

All-Conference
Nov 3, 2019
1,206
4,611
113
USA Wrestling made a video, "2026 Rules Modification", clarifying this rule and other new rules. Starting at 15:42 in the video the Step Out In Grounded Position is explained along with numerous video examples from UWW matches. Here are some highlights from the video:

-- A step out point can only be awarded if the wrestlers start on their feet, one or both wrestlers go down to one or both knees (parterre position) with no points scored in the sequence, and then the opponent of the wrestler who goes out of bounds first will be awarded a step out point

-- If points are scored in the process of going to the mat or if parterre points are awarded, then any subsequent step out in the wrestling sequence will not result in a point

-- Once the wrestlers get to a standing, facing position (whether from a restart or both wrestlers getting back to a neutral position on the mat), then the possibility for a step out point will resume

-- A wrestler can have both his knees and feet outside the cylinder and not be called for a step out. Their chest and "pinning points" also have to be outside the cylinder before a step out point is awarded. See the two photos below for clarification. It is not until the wrestler's upper body goes outside the cylinder (second photo) that a step out point would be awarded:







-- No step out points will be awarded if a wrestler pushes their opponent off the mat. The example given is where a wrestler extends both arms out and uses their palms to shove their opponent off the mat. Several video examples are included in the video.

On an unrelated note, in FS you are now allowed to step on an opponent's foot.

Dropbox


www.dropbox.com
www.dropbox.com
 
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jrod65

Senior
Jan 21, 2019
190
920
93
First, the elbow is irrelevant, and second, it’s not on the mat in the image shown above.

I explained the new rule several days ago; no, that is not a step out under the new rules. Not even close.

Ok, so I think that I understand the new stepout while grounded rules a bit better now. @Psalm 1 guy thanks for the video. Feet don't matter in a grounded defender situation.

I still have a question on the situation with Lilledahl and Spencer that I'm not quite grasping. I understand that when Lilledahl was on his knees, he's grounded and chest/shoulders would determine oob. But once he comes off his knees, wouldn't he no longer be "grounded" and regular stepout rules apply?
 

kingstown

All-Conference
Dec 7, 2025
697
2,114
93
I honestly thought Lee looked good leading up to the injury. He took what he could and had a commanding lead. I like LL and he's obviously a world level wrestler but I think, if healthy, Lee is still a small level above LL. Bottom line, Lee has to figure out his late match strategy in all situations. I'm amazed he was even close enough to get tossed with the Hail Mary headlock. Has anyone seen any info on his elbow?
This is the best post I have read on the subject. Lee was wrestling a very smart match prior to whatever happened to his arm. LL is absolutely a world level freestyle wrestler. It is one match and if healthy Spencer Lee is still the favorite. Most people knew this would be World semi final type competition in this battle. Team USA is getting better and better at several weights and this is good for all of us. Spencer Lee has had some weird losses in close matches with some of his late tactics. He just doesn't wrestle very many close matches. He is somewhat a victim of his own dominance.
 

Psalm 1 guy

All-Conference
Nov 3, 2019
1,206
4,611
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Ok, so I think that I understand the new stepout while grounded rules a bit better now. @Psalm 1 guy thanks for the video. Feet don't matter in a grounded defender situation.

I still have a question on the situation with Lilledahl and Spencer that I'm not quite grasping. I understand that when Lilledahl was on his knees, he's grounded and chest/shoulders would determine oob. But once he comes off his knees, wouldn't he no longer be "grounded" and regular stepout rules apply?
Unfortunately they do not address that aspect in the video. I will email the USA official from the video to see if I can get an answer.
 
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