When people think of wrestling, most of the time they think of two people trying to trap one another on the ground while twisting them into uncomfortable pretzel-like shapes. This stereotype is indeed a part of wrestling, but much more strategy is involved than is readily apparent.
In one sense, wrestling is pretty clearcut. There are offensive and defensive strategies, just like in any other sport, and each wrestler uses these strategies differently.
"Some guys prefer a very defensive style, where they basically wait for their opponent to attack them and score points from the defensive," senior co-captain Jake Butler said. "On the other side is a more offensive style of wrestling, where individuals are continually attacking and setting the pace of the match."
These broad styles are approached within the framework of different starting positions. There are three starting positions in wrestling. Each match is begun in the neutral position, with both wrestlers simply standing. When the match starts, each wrestler tries to score a takedown from this initial position, which is worth two points.
Another starting position is called the referee's position. From this position, a wrestler can be either above or below his opponent. From the bottom, the wrestler's objective is to either escape to his feet or score a reversal. The first outcome is worth one point, while the second is worth two.
From the top position, the intention is to hold the opponent down and score back points, which are awarded when the opponent's back is exposed to the mat. In order to qualify as exposure, the line of the back area must break a 90-degree angle. Two points are awarded for exposure between three and five seconds, and three points are awarded for exposure lasting five seconds or longer.
Though many cases can be made for any of these positions, it all comes down to how well a given style works for a given wrestler.
"In wrestling, each person generally has a very individual style of wrestling," Butler said.
Butler's style, for instance, is a very aggressive one.
"My strongest position in wrestling is neutral — standing," Butler said. "I try to wrestle with a very offense-, attack-oriented style. Most of my points are scored from my feet, and I try to initiate most of the action from that position."
His highest-percentage move is a head-outside single, which involves attacking one leg of an opponent, usually the leg nearest to the Butler's head, and taking a penetration step. Then, once he covers his attack hand with his free hand, Butler slides his feet to the outside in order to get the angle. He then proceeds to drive with his head, step up and run his feet across. As he does so, he uses his attack hand to chop out the knee. Finally, he continues driving and finishes on top.
Senior co-captain Andrew Iannuzzi, who wrestles in the 149-lb. weight class, also has a more aggressive style, using similar offensive leg attacks to accumulate points in the match, but this strategy is not appropriate for everyone.
Contrast Butler's and Iannuzzi's style with that of junior 141-pounder Eric Marcotulli, who relies on big-point moves in the neutral position. Marcotulli practices a style aptly called 'the funk,' an unorthodox defensive style. In this style, he waits for his opponent to run toward him in the neutral position and attempts to foil his attack attempt.
"In countering offensive shots, it requires lots of rolling on one's own back, flips, strangely-bent knees and other moves that tend to cause our coach undue stress," Marcotulli said.
This strategy is designed to use the opponent's energy against him by pivoting and redirecting his momentum. Put simply, the funk centers on making the other guy mess up. As the equivalent of having the enemy run at his opponent only to have the opponent clothesline him in stride, the funk works well for a shifty and disciplined wrestler.
"It involves a false sense of security on your opponent's part; they see an opening, take it and seem to be comfortable with it," Marcotulli said. "Then, so long as they haven't properly scouted you, you can jack them up and send them onto their back."
In general, though, Princeton's strategy is more of an offensive one, which allows the Tigers to come out with more aggression and set the pace of the match. Unlike other schools, however, there is no set strategy to which all the wrestlers are expected to conform.
"The coaches recognize the individual differences in each wrestler's style and try to accommodate them," Butler said.
While these subtleties may be lost on someone who has not wrestled competitively, they are essential to the wrestling team's success.
"We have to focus on each guy and try to develop each guy," head coach Mike New said.
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