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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Rex Holman added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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I watched this video the other day and have a new found respect for the Merkle. Corey Clark who scored multiple times with it against NaTo is highlighted within it. Definitely worthy of some more attention. I remember giving up on it early in high school as I didn't like the my back being in close proximity to the mat and I used way too much energy trying to use it. Those things are counterintuitive. However, the position does not take that much energy when used correctly and developing that kinesthetic awareness of position takes time. This position has the potential to be a game changer if someone is patient enough to coach kids in those two aspects of the move.
I remember watching that semifinal and thinking wow that is great wrestling and it seemed like a magic trick. Whenever something seems like a magic trick, it is usually a technical skill that has been developed over time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hMhLL7Qrg8
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Justin Hayes added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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Excellent instructional format for a youtube video; good stuff.
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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When Clark hit Nate with that Merkle, I knew they had planned to use it specifically against him. It was brilliant strategy to take away Nate's advantage with leg attacks.
Jason Johnstone was very good at working into that position as a way of scoring takedowns. Johnstone was frequently wrestling larger opponents and it gave him a nice way to counter this advantage.
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Ben Golden added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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I've never thought the merkle was a legitimate takedown. It doesn't seem like control to me, more of an odd criteria. I know it's a takedown per the rules, but it just seems too cheap.
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Jim Behrens added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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Quote from Ben Golden's post:
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"I've never thought the merkle was a legitimate takedown. It doesn't seem like control to me, more of an odd criteria. I know it's a takedown per the rules, but it just seems too cheap."
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At least for us, the merle is not a TD until some sort of "control" is demonstrated. It could be rolling a guy over, driving him forward, or something else. Just applying it doesn't give control.
However you can bet with 100% certainty that as soon as it is applied, the coach of the wrestler applying it will be yelling for 2 points by informing me that his wrestler has a merkle.
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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Quote from Jim Behrens's post:
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"
At least for us, the merle is not a TD until some sort of "control" is demonstrated. It could be rolling a guy over, driving him forward, or something else. Just applying it doesn't give control.
However you can bet with 100% certainty that as soon as it is applied, the coach of the wrestler applying it will be yelling for 2 points by informing me that his wrestler has a merkle.
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Guaranteed!
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Rex Holman added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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Quote from Ben Golden's post:
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"I've never thought the merkle was a legitimate takedown. It doesn't seem like control to me, more of an odd criteria. I know it's a takedown per the rules, but it just seems too cheap."
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This illustrates my point. If you don't consider it a legitimate takedown; chances are you don't spend any time working on it or countering it. Just like what we saw with NaTo in that position. He did'nt spend any time there, but yet there he was against a guy that used that position a lot.
Kind of the same theme with Snyder getting elbow rolled. You have to respect the position otherwise it is a relative weakness.
On the matter of control, that is an easy adjustment as evidenced by Clark once you've advanced to the merkle. There are a lot of position changes that can be done there to indicate control.
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Rex Holman added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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We had Matt Mondalek from Dublin on our team who was excellent at this position. He took Wes Hand from Iowa straight to his back from his feet at Midlands with the maneuver. Not with a roll either. Straight back with a thud. I remember thinking that was awesome.
I knew he had blown some elbows out with it in high school, so I spent some time there to understand countering it. My solution was posting on my elbow and fighting hands right away.
During that time I played with it on top as well and the leg that you vine with can be used to hip lift as well. So, you can take the guy both ways (directly in to him or with the roll).
On top from referee position. Get out of here. Attack head lock opposite you line up on and go to work.
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
David Brown added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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Quote from Jim Behrens's post:
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"
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Quote from Ben Golden's post:
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"I've never thought the merkle was a legitimate takedown. It doesn't seem like control to me, more of an odd criteria. I know it's a takedown per the rules, but it just seems too cheap."
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At least for us, the merle is not a TD until some sort of "control" is demonstrated. It could be rolling a guy over, driving him forward, or something else. Just applying it doesn't give control.
However you can bet with 100% certainty that as soon as it is applied, the coach of the wrestler applying it will be yelling for 2 points by informing me that his wrestler has a merkle."
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Jim it has to be annoying to have coaches always barking "two" at you. True story with the Merkle though. Every year one of our tourneys is across the border in Indiana. Probably 3 years ago one of my wrestlers hit a Merkle and the ref wouldn't call it. I approached him and he made it clear he had never heard of a Merkle. My wrestler hit it again in 2ND period and still no call. I was losing my mind. Another official huddled with our official for a few seconds and then the takedown was finally awarded.
All that just to say sometimes we yell "two!" just to make sure you are not one of those refs. Lol.
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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While the video shows lots of ways to score with the Merkle, I understand Ben's point. I've seen it become a cheap two point TD as opposed to a scoring position. Lots of guys fall into it but don't know how to use it.
When i was in high school, you couldn't score if someone stepped over your inside leg. The counter was to encircle the head and arm (taking a merkle position) and then sitting your leg forward to free it and then using the same leg to lace up your opponents leg. As long as you had the head and arm encircled, this little technique worked pretty well.
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Jim Behrens added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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Quote from David Brown's post:
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"
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Quote from Jim Behrens's post:
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"
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Quote from Ben Golden's post:
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"I've never thought the merkle was a legitimate takedown. It doesn't seem like control to me, more of an odd criteria. I know it's a takedown per the rules, but it just seems too cheap."
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At least for us, the merle is not a TD until some sort of "control" is demonstrated. It could be rolling a guy over, driving him forward, or something else. Just applying it doesn't give control.
However you can bet with 100% certainty that as soon as it is applied, the coach of the wrestler applying it will be yelling for 2 points by informing me that his wrestler has a merkle."
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Jim it has to be annoying to have coaches always barking "two" at you. True story with the Merkle though. Every year one of our tourneys is across the border in Indiana. Probably 3 years ago one of my wrestlers hit a Merkle and the ref wouldn't call it. I approached him and he made it clear he had never heard of a Merkle. My wrestler hit it again in 2ND period and still no call. I was losing my mind. Another official huddled with our official for a few seconds and then the takedown was finally awarded.
All that just to say sometimes we yell "two!" just to make sure you are not one of those refs. Lol."
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LOL No problem at all. It is much like every single coach who yells "full" as soon as they see hands touch the ears or head. I am always amazed at how fast they see it and let me know.
In that vein, I remember the first time I ever saw a spadle. As I had never seen one before, I was not really sure what to make of it. Fortunately , I did not have the match so I didn't have to look completely clueless!
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Jack Muni added to this discussion on February 7, 2019
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Quote from Ben Golden's post:
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"I've never thought the merkle was a legitimate takedown. It doesn't seem like control to me, more of an odd criteria. I know it's a takedown per the rules, but it just seems too cheap."
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It never seemed like a TD until the top guy got his leg unlaced and came behind the down guy, IMO. It just never seemed like complete control until that happened.
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Bill Splete added to this discussion on February 10, 2019
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Just watched spencer lee get pin over maryland. Flo hyped how fast it was but was not talked about was how first and second ref missed the maryland kids leg getting bent in a position that was clearly against joints, just watch what happened when he got up to walk, how was this not stopped, it's crazy what they let go in college and pass it off as just being rough because its college, its wrestling not jujitsu, and these athletes deserve better, it makes me wonder who is looking out for them, not NCAA or officials. Frustrating
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Jim Behrens added to this discussion on February 10, 2019
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Bill,
I haven't seen that yet but I agree with you 100%.
I see things (specifically that back bow) that I am amazed they just let go.
IMO, there is no reason that should be permitted.
Young people may bend a lot more easily than I do BUT they are likely going to pay the price for it in the years to come.
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Discussion Topic: Merkle
Rex Holman added to this discussion on February 16, 2019
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