Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-10
WRESTLING.
Question As to Which is the Better
Style.


The question as to which style of
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or catch
ls-catch-can-will best suit a man
must be determined to verp large
Mtent by his physique. Weight is
important in the former style, but in
he latter quickness and skill play a
ar more important part. IL is for
his reason that many people prefer
dackenschmidt to Zbysco.
Some of the principal things neces-
ary in catch-as-can wrestling are
hat man shall be as light upon
his feet as a dancer, as quick as 4
panther and capable of withstanding
tremendous strain. A man who de-
Ponds upon weight alone, no matter
II he plants his feet solidly as rock
would stand no possible chance
against lighter but more active OPP
ponent. A few preliminary passes,
the usual dallying with arms and
hands at the start, and then-thud,
lightning leg stroke will have
wrecked his hopes, says It'd Bits.
1t is computed that in this style Of
wrestling there are at least $50 dill
ferent methods by which man may
hope to place an opponent fairly and
squarely, both shoulders down, upon
the mat. Then there are defensive
tactics, SO that, taken all round, a
wrestler, before he becomes fully con-
versant with his art, must serve "A
long apprenticeship. At the end of
twelve months, however, the begin
ner is usually able to hold his own in
average company. 1t is well to bear
in mind, however, the very excellent
advise given by Prof E. Coll, the well
known instructor in many forms of
athletics. a. ~
Both wrestling and boxing" he
says, ARE means of offense and de-
tense. 1t must. however, be remem-
bered that in cases of personal de-
tense no regulations exist, and hence
the pupil should learn and the mas
ter should teach those. holds and
blows that are classed--and rightly
classed-as fouls in contests be-
tween athletes" That is to say, al
man who assaults you in the street is
not going to trouble about whether
he is trying to knock you out or
throw you down in fair regulation
style, and consequently you must bel
prepared to meet him on those terms.
For instance, the hammerlock Is
barred in all amateur contests. Yet
1t would be most useful in meeting a
haoIfco. To e,.ooaeCf,,Ily onooTnnliSh
1t the wrist of the opponent must be
gripped tightly, and the arm brought
round and forced up the back. The
pain is excruciating, and the man
must give way or the limb breaks.
Once this hold is properly secured 1t
cannot be broken.
The best, and probably the most
fatal, hold in catch-as-cateh-can
however, is that introduc-
ed by Cherpillod, who won the coro- |
nation worlds championship at the
National Sporting club some time
ago. II Is termed the crotch hold
and swing. To effect this the balance
of an opponent must be destroyed, I
and, with one hand gripping the body
and the other the inside thigh, he
Is brought up as high as the should
ers, and swung round and down upon
the mat. Properly accomplished, the
man who enacts the role OF victim
Is 30 shaken that his shoulders are
pinned down before he is enabled to
pull himself together and recall his
scattered senses.
One of the first lessons which the
catch-as-catch-can wrestler has to
learn, however. is to keep his equili-
brium. He is never safer than when
on his feet. and footwork plays a re-
prominent part. The legs
Of an opponent must be watched
closely. and the balance preserved at
all costs. The feet must never be al
lowed to cross or overlap. for il this
mistake Is made a touch is only nee
sssary to bring the wrestler TO the
nat When playing for an opening
The elbow should be closely pressed to
he ribs and the forearms extended.
The mere fact Of holding the arms in
his position prevents an opponent
rom gripping a wrist. pulling you
Iorward and round. and so securing
! hold upon the body.
II thrown to the mat and your op-
,onent tries to get the half Nelson
,oId, throw out one leg. the left f0-
preference. bring the right knee be-
iesth your body. and by pulling your
Douonsnt's wrists and keeping your
isad veil forward Il Is generally pos
ole 10 rise and break svsy. II