What are the main reasons guys choose one over the other once Greco is an option? Is it simply skillset based, or is it because they enjoy one over the other? Is it mainly because they like/dislike being able to attack (and be attacked) below the waist in Freestyle, and not Greco?
I trained judo and bjj when I was younger, but never wrestling. However, our judo club and instructor got along well w/ the wresters in our area (HS and small college guys), so a number of them would grapple w/ us. It was good for both groups to see a different discipline.
In the US, the guys who choose Greco are usually the ones who have ‘the gift’ for it. A guy like Dan Henderson was a good but not great folkstyle wrestler. But he had the gift for Greco, so that’s where he went.
Brad Verring was a great folkstyle wrestler. But he was a better Greco guy. So he went that way.
What are the main reasons guys choose one over the other once Greco is an option? Is it simply skillset based, or is it because they enjoy one over the other? Is it mainly because they like/dislike being able to attack (and be attacked) below the waist in Freestyle, and not Greco?
I trained judo and bjj when I was younger, but never wrestling. However, our judo club and instructor got along well w/ the wresters in our area (HS and small college guys), so a number of them would grapple w/ us. It was good for both groups to see a different discipline.
I dont know how it is in the US. But in my country it is really about which club you wrestle at and their tradition. Our club is traditionally greco but the kids do both until their teens.
Our best trainers are all greco specialists and the head coach is also the greco national team coach, so thats why the best talent end up doing greco as juniors and seniors.
I would assume that the wrestlers that prefer upper body take downs and excel at it gravitate towards it. There are many styles of wresting within the style itself, just like in bjj. Some wrestlers love shooting for legs, some like hip tosses, some are nasty leg riders (the scariest IMO)
Bey was recruited by Lindland and went right to full time greco right out of HS. He won the junior worlds (video above) and seniors now becomes his focus. With him, (as wiggum stated above) it was a matter of he really stood out in terms of elite level potential. That’s where Lindland made sure to get him over to greco and not to D1 college wrestling. This is key in that there’s a focus with Lindland to recruit guys over to their program and not just rely on guys going to greco on their own.
SinCityHustler - Bey was recruited by Lindland and went right to full time greco right out of HS. He won the junior worlds (video above) and seniors now becomes his focus. With him, (as wiggum stated above) it was a matter of he really stood out in terms of elite level potential. That's where Lindland made sure to get him over to greco and not to D1 college wrestling. This is key in that there's a focus with Lindland to recruit guys over to their program and not just rely on guys going to greco on their own.
Very interesting prospect. Hope he has time to establish him self before Tokyo 2020.
Has great instinct for wrestling, also interesting seeing him work the parterre when he is on bottom. Wonder how he matches up with the top level seniors.
It's preference sometimes, build and natural tendency others, and availability as well.
I was a 5x Greco national qualifier with usa wrestling and never even went to the national tournament for it. I wrestled Greco to get more matches, but much preferred using my entire body in freestyle, and preferred folkstyle out of all 3 the most.
the real problem with greco in america is ignorance and fear... most are scared to death of it and refuse to try it... also, there are only pockets of decent greco coaches...
in the past, most greco guys were failed free guys and just gravitated towards greco out of necessity... lindland is the first coach to actively recruite guys to focus on greco specifically and much sooner... kamal bey is the poster child for this... bey hated folk and was quitting wrestling all together and going to try football in college until lindland convinced him to go all in... tracy hancock as well... both of them have seen success and actually both have been awarded scholarships to a university based on their greco exploits...
the real problem with greco in america is ignorance and fear... most are scared to death of it and refuse to try it... also, there are only pockets of decent greco coaches...
in the past, most greco guys were failed free guys and just gravitated towards greco out of necessity... lindland is the first coach to actively recruite guys to focus on greco specifically and much sooner... kamal bey is the poster child for this... bey hated folk and was quitting wrestling all together and going to try football in college until lindland convinced him to go all in... tracy hancock as well... both of them have seen success and actually both have been awarded scholarships to a university based on their greco exploits...
I believe Northern Michigan University (Greco Olympic training center) offers scholarships for greco. Is there where they got scholarships at?
the real problem with greco in america is ignorance and fear... most are scared to death of it and refuse to try it... also, there are only pockets of decent greco coaches...
in the past, most greco guys were failed free guys and just gravitated towards greco out of necessity... lindland is the first coach to actively recruite guys to focus on greco specifically and much sooner... kamal bey is the poster child for this... bey hated folk and was quitting wrestling all together and going to try football in college until lindland convinced him to go all in... tracy hancock as well... both of them have seen success and actually both have been awarded scholarships to a university based on their greco exploits...
I believe Northern Michigan University (Greco Olympic training center) offers scholarships for greco. Is there where they got scholarships at?
they do and it is not... some school in kentucky that gave USA wrestling X dollars to dole out as they saw fit... USA chose them...
if u are equal at both or excel in freestyle you will choose freestyle over greco
If they are equal in both, why would they choose freestyle over greco? Aren't there fewer greco guys, at least in the US, and they would have a better chance at success in greco?
if they are truly equal at both styles (which is rare) they will pick what they prefer personally... and if you're as good at greco as you are at free, then you love greco and most likely will gravitate towards that...
Are there certain features greco guys have that are different than freestyle?
For instance, Couture has said Hendo has the strongest grip of anyone, regardless of size, that he has ever felt when wrestling against. He called it a "gorilla grip." So, for example, is grip strength something more important in greco? Or, is it just something that happens to be useful, if you have it?
if u are equal at both or excel in freestyle you will choose freestyle over greco
If they are equal in both, why would they choose freestyle over greco? Aren't there fewer greco guys, at least in the US, and they would have a better chance at success in greco?
because its much more fun.Exactly people go greco partly for that reason Thats not to say its not a great sport but most prefer freestyle as do most fans
