Rick's Rant: Judgement delivered on experimental Greco-Roman rules

Josef Rau and Ben Provisor tango at the 2015 Dave Schultz Memorial International. John Sachs Photo.

Over the last two weeks we have seen three Greco-Roman events on American soil implement a new set of experimental rules designed by United World Wrestling to once again beef up excitement in the international style.


The new rule set places more emphasis on scoring from the neutral position as opposed to parterre, with the intention of creating more opportunity for high amplitude throws and exciting scoring positions.


In theory the experimental rules make Greco-Roman more exciting for the casual observer, but in actuality these rules do nothing more than increase parity amongst the athletes and create confusion for everyone involved.


There are two points of scoring emphasis for every Greco-Roman wrestler when they step on the mat, secure takedowns and turn from top. What the new rules accomplish is taking away that second major point of separation between wrestlers, scoring from top.


Let me elaborate.


The match that sticks out the most to me from the Dave Schultz Memorial International is the 59 kg quarterfinal between two world class opponents, U.S. veteran Spenser Mango and 2014 European Champion Aleksandar Kostadinov of Bulgaria.


Throughout the six minute match both wrestlers were as even as could be from the neutral position, so even in fact that neither wrestler was able to score an offensive point. No takedowns, no pushouts, nothing. What ultimately decided the match were the officials determining who was the more passive wrestler.


Who won or lost is not the important topic in this discussion. The important idea to consider is how to separate one wrestler from another. When neither athlete can get a score from the feet what is the next logical separation criteria? You guessed it, parterre.


Had both Mango and Kostadinov been able to wrestle in parterre I guarantee you we would have a different outcome than the 2-1 score indicated. Even if neither were able to score from top, both wrestlers would have had the opportunity to distinguish who the better man was on that day. Moreover, a loss on passivity points alone would be easier to swallow because additional scoring opportunities were presented.


The lack of parterre opportunities will allow a less well-rounded wrestler to stay in close scoring proximity with a superior opponent simply by stalling.


Here is another scenario to add depth to this discussion.


Let’s say a wrestler attempts a headlock and slips off of it conceding the takedown. It is not called a slip throw. That wrestler is now down 2-0. The wrestler leading the match can essentially stall out for the remainder of the match and secure the victory.


How you ask? Under the experimental rule set the trailing wrestler would have to work the entirely of the match to force six passivity calls to take a 3-2 lead. That’s right, not one, not two, not three, but six passivity calls.


Apologies for going all LeBron James on you there, but let’s be honest, when have you ever seen six passivities called in your lifetime? See my point.


Allowing for lesser skilled opponents to steal matches will not help the Greco-Roman cause.


Yes, there will be a greater variety of countries winning medals at the World Championships and Olympics, which may very well be something the International Olympic Committee desires to see. On the flip side this will prevent Greco-Roman from creating stars. Something it most desperately needs.


There will be no Jordan Burroughs star power of winning three straight titles at the Worlds and Olympics like we have seen in freestyle. How can United World Wrestling build the Greco-Roman brand without having the stars to be its representatives? I will tell you, it wont.


Another consideration that must be thought through is the immense pressure on the officiating crews to determine who the better wrestler is. If you can fully take bias out of the equation, which you can’t, it is still extremely difficult when two of the world’s best square off in a dead heat to say who is better.


The ambiguity is abounding with the experimental Greco-Roman rules. It is my hope that UWW analyzes these scenarios and comes to the same conclusion myself and many others have come to, when you have a good thing going don’t try to change it simply for the sake of changing.

To submit a question to Rick’s Rant or provide any feedback email rimmel@usawrestling.org or tweet @Richard_Immel