I was just curious how a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu world champion "grappler" with no folk style wrestling experience (at least in high school) ends up on the roster. Is he seriously competing for a spot or is he just considered an attribute based on his other skills?
Ricky Lundell
- Thread starter swooper
- Start date
He doesn't appear to have long to work on it as he is listed as a senior. Just curious. I would love to see how competitive those skills make him against a much faster-paced Mueller.
Too lazy to find it, but pretty sure there was an article about him (gocyclones.com?) that pretty much said he's just here to absorb the influence of our coaches and stay in top condition. If he's able to help ISU then all the better (primarily by being another body to wrestle against).
EDIT: Decided not to be lazy:
Go Cyclones - World champ grapples for starting spot
EDIT: Decided not to be lazy:
Go Cyclones - World champ grapples for starting spot
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This is a little crazy but I'm curious what the team can learn from this guy. He obviously has been trained to be the best at submitting people. I wonder how many of his skills translate into pinning opponents. I'm sure it's a little more physical then he is used to. But I'm sure the guys are excited to learn some different techniques from this guy. We might be a team that has a few rabbits to pull out of the hat come duel time!
If anyone gets a chance to interview / talk to Cael I'd be curious what types of things this guy is teaching our wrestlers. It's very different in that this guy is used to wrestling with his back to the mat versus trying to keep you back off the mat. I'm also curious if our riding will get much better this season because of some of the holds our guys will learn.
If anyone gets a chance to interview / talk to Cael I'd be curious what types of things this guy is teaching our wrestlers. It's very different in that this guy is used to wrestling with his back to the mat versus trying to keep you back off the mat. I'm also curious if our riding will get much better this season because of some of the holds our guys will learn.
I'm a student of Ricky's in Utah.
The statement about Ricky being used to wrestling with his back on the mat is not extremely accurate.
GJJ is a grappling system based on a positional hierachy. Being on your back with a guard up is considered a neutral position. Being on top in side control, mount, or back mount is prized. As Ricky is a world champion, youngest black belt American, & extremely talented grappler, he doesn't work from a position of equality nearly at all. He is very proficient at climbing the positional ladder.
The statement about Ricky being used to wrestling with his back on the mat is not extremely accurate.
GJJ is a grappling system based on a positional hierachy. Being on your back with a guard up is considered a neutral position. Being on top in side control, mount, or back mount is prized. As Ricky is a world champion, youngest black belt American, & extremely talented grappler, he doesn't work from a position of equality nearly at all. He is very proficient at climbing the positional ladder.
You said being on your back with your guard up is a neutral position but not with folkstyle. That is what I meant about him being used to having his back to the mat. He is too used to rolling over to defend himself but if he does that with our wrestling then he will be pinned and it's over.
I really am excited to see what this guy can each our wrestlers. I hope he enjoys his time at ISU.
I really am excited to see what this guy can each our wrestlers. I hope he enjoys his time at ISU.
I'm well aware of folkstyle rules. I wrestled for 8 years (not that I was any good, but I've been introduced to it). Ricky has been working with college level wrestlers on his grappling out here for years. He's well aware of not putting his back to the mat, & I don't think you'll see that be an issue. The point of my post was that Ricky is very rarely in the guard, & if we get to watch him wrestle at all, I think you'll be impressed.
As I hear it, he's enjoying the wrestling & education as well. They're both tough, but he enjoys it.
As I hear it, he's enjoying the wrestling & education as well. They're both tough, but he enjoys it.
I am a friend with Ricky and have to say when I grew up knowing him I personaly could not understand how he became so good at ground understanding without even wrestling. I am an All-american wrestler My Name is Ty Hatfield even at 230 pounds he is very tuff and can work me and 30 other people in row over and over, it is very hard to beat him. I think Cole who is also a friend knew that he will be NCAA :notworthy:champ and being next to win at the Summer Olympics :notworthy:.
I am Ricky's coach. I have coached some very high profile wrestlers that have gone on to do great things in college and other organizations like the UFC.
He is to Grappling/BJJ what Cael is to Folkstyle. He is here for a reason. I have a suggestion to all of the haters and nay sayers. He has been there long enough now that I am assuming that those critics of Ricky that are close enough to the sport of wrestling must either a-know someone who wrestles for ISU or...b-wrestle themselves.
Here is my suggestion, rather than pick him apart on chat forums simply walk yourself down to the room and ask Cael or Cody or the guys he's banging heads with on a daily basis. See what they have to say. Or... roll with him yourself. See for yourself what the hype is about. Just like the rest of us in the wrestling community I think you will be pleasantly suprised!
He is to Grappling/BJJ what Cael is to Folkstyle. He is here for a reason. I have a suggestion to all of the haters and nay sayers. He has been there long enough now that I am assuming that those critics of Ricky that are close enough to the sport of wrestling must either a-know someone who wrestles for ISU or...b-wrestle themselves.
Here is my suggestion, rather than pick him apart on chat forums simply walk yourself down to the room and ask Cael or Cody or the guys he's banging heads with on a daily basis. See what they have to say. Or... roll with him yourself. See for yourself what the hype is about. Just like the rest of us in the wrestling community I think you will be pleasantly suprised!
I read back through the posts and I don't see anyone "picking him apart". Most are just curious about him. Good talent is always a bonus in the wrestling room, whether he cracks the lineup or not. I don't live in Ames anymore but I would love to seem him go.