Just like anything else in our sports cradles go in and out of "style." They work for a while and then people learn how to defend them and they go dormant. While these techniques are in their hibernation stage the wrestling community develops amnesia and then they come back again. It’s time to bring cradles back. 

Why Cradles?

I truly think they are one of the best folkstyle techniques to spend your time learning. Here's why. 

Getting A Fall Is The Best Thing You Can Do

Because they are so rare at the highest levels of wrestling we have a tendency to forget that the point of a wrestling match is to get both shoulder blades to the mat for a two-count. All other things that you do on a wrestling mat are, theoretically, supposed to be geared towards that. Cradles are one of the best equalizers that there is in folkstyle; you take the score out of the equation. If you're down by 14 points going into the third period and you have choice, then you've got a puncher's (or cradler's) chance. 

The Technique Out-Weighs Athleticism

In a lot of cases perfect technique trumps things like strength and speed. But if you try and hit a double leg on a far-superior athlete you may not score no matter how good your technique is on the shot. Cradles are different than doubles in that they neutralize a lot, if not all, athletic ability, especially when they're done right. 

Please don’t get me wrong — getting good at cradles is not the easiest thing in the world. It takes time. But if you dedicate yourself to putting in the reps your cradle can make up for any athletic deficiencies that you might have. 

Cradles Change The Complexion Of A Match

While it's widely understood that a good top game can make even the most confident wrestler, think twice about choosing the bottom position given the choice, having a great cradle adds one more factor into the equation. 

Let's say, hypothetically, that you're winning by eight points going into the third period against a guy that has a great tilt series. You have a choice. If you or your coach decides to take bottom, what you're doing is betting on the likelihood of time expiring before your opponent can tilt you more than once. Twice in college, three times in high school. That's actually not a bad bet especially if you don't have any stall warnings. You could, theoretically, just lay on your stomach and stall the rest of the match out. 

Now, let's take the same scenario against a guy that has a great cradle. I still wouldn’t take bottom given an eight-point lead. Aside from the obvious pin threat, it can be argued that the less you do on bottom the more likely you are to be cradled. 

Cradles Are Great For Wrestling

What is better for sport than an underdog pulling off an incredible upset and doing it in dramatic fashion? 

The loudest I have ever heard an arena (and it's not close) was when Nick Piccininni pinned Spencer Lee last year. If you take a really close look and pause the video at 7:07 you can see me having to adjust my gimbal and camera because Chandler Rogers was jumping on me while I was trying to film. When the athletes start jumping on the media members . . . that's great for the sport. 

Not good. Great.