Watching the PSU-Rutgers dual yesterday reminded me of something I think I'm seeing a lot more of this season -- for lack of a more descriptive term, the "Nolf Leg Extension" in neutral scrambles. You know, the one that injured him vs. Rutgers 2 yrs ago.
RBY was in this position repeatedly yesterday . . . as was Big Snacks last weekend (and maybe yesterday, too). Putting one's upper weight forward to achieve/maintain a top position against a guy who has rolled over with your heel in grasp, and has your leg completely extended with the weight of his body applying near-hyperextension pressure.
I think I'm seeing this more and more throughout NCAA wrestling, and I suspect it has something to do with the Neutral Danger Zone (NDZ) rule causing defensive wrestlers to much more frequently belly-out, facing away from their opponents, with leg in-tow and beneath their weight, rather than risk back exposure during scrambles.
Luckily, I have not seen any other Nolf-like injuries, but I find myself cringing more and more as these positions seem to be on the rise. Could the potentially dangerous position be an unintended consequence of the NDZ rule, as guys are doing more to avoid any kind of back exposure? Or are offensive wrestlers just more and more unyielding in their pursuit of a takedown?
Or am I just seeing things that aren't there?
RBY was in this position repeatedly yesterday . . . as was Big Snacks last weekend (and maybe yesterday, too). Putting one's upper weight forward to achieve/maintain a top position against a guy who has rolled over with your heel in grasp, and has your leg completely extended with the weight of his body applying near-hyperextension pressure.
I think I'm seeing this more and more throughout NCAA wrestling, and I suspect it has something to do with the Neutral Danger Zone (NDZ) rule causing defensive wrestlers to much more frequently belly-out, facing away from their opponents, with leg in-tow and beneath their weight, rather than risk back exposure during scrambles.
Luckily, I have not seen any other Nolf-like injuries, but I find myself cringing more and more as these positions seem to be on the rise. Could the potentially dangerous position be an unintended consequence of the NDZ rule, as guys are doing more to avoid any kind of back exposure? Or are offensive wrestlers just more and more unyielding in their pursuit of a takedown?
Or am I just seeing things that aren't there?