Short Periods

The period time length should also be factored into the equation when determining choice.

There have been some major tournaments with championship rounds or wrestle backs with 1 minute periods, either 2-1-1 or 1-2-2.

When you run into a 1-minute period you need to ask yourself one question when determining choice:

In what position will I be able to score the points that I need, in the time that I have in the period?

Here is the problem that you run into in a 2-1-1 in the

1-minute period.

Say you are down by two points in the 2^nd period and you choose the bottom position.

You will then have 60 seconds to get your escape and then get a takedown, in order to win the match.

It is very easy to take 30-45 seconds for an escape (not recommended) and that will leave you with only 15-30 seconds left in order to get a takedown against a wrestler who will be in an all-out stall.

Unless you get a takedown within 10 seconds, choosing the bottom position is not recommended in a 1 minute period.

Wouldn’t you rather have the full minute on your feet in order to get the takedown that you need?

Yes, that would only tie the match – but the short period makes it necessary to think differently.

It is so easy for the top wrestler to throw in a leg and take 30 seconds off of the clock, or to push you out of bounds a few times.

Choose neutral, tie the match, go to overtime and win it there.

Watch matches with 1 minute periods.

See how many wrestlers never adjust their thinking and choose down, when down by 2, only to chase a stalling wrestler around the mat and to come up frustratingly short.

In contrast, choosing down with a lead in a 1-minute period will more times than not lead to your opponent immediately cutting you – so he can have the full time in the neutral position.

When the time in the period is adjusted, so must your approach to choice in that period.