|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: J.D. Bergman v. Dustin Fox
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 10, 2008
|
This matchup is tough for J.D. because Fox is bigger, moves very well at 285 pounds and doesn't leave an opening on his feet. He's out on bottom and can ride when he has to.
J.D. needed that granby call out of bounds but didn't quite face off.
Here's what I think (should they meet again in two weeks) that J.D. needs to do to win:
1. J.D. was able to move Fox backwards yesterday. In a match-up this close, that could prove an advantage. He needs to pick up the pace in the first period and try to secure a stalling call against Fox. Make him back up and get him breathing hard early. This match - as much as possible - has to be about conditioning and influencing the officials.
2. If given choice, J.D. needs to take down in the second period. Don't defer. J.D. will be fresher to escape and will also know what he needs to do in the third period if he doesn't. Also, if he can secure the first period stalling warning, it'll force Fox to consider kicking him out rather than risk another stall call.
3. As J.D. moves Fox backwards, he needs to try and influence the officials with some type of leg attacks. J.D. didn't get the stall calls yesterday because he didn't commit to attacks as he backed him towards the edge. If you want the stall call, that's a must. Now, the type of attack attempted has to be low risk. I wouldn't shoot straight in. Some sort of sweeping motion would be safer. Straight on shots could result in being snapped and spinned. But J.D. has to do more to influence the officials. His biggest advantage in the match was that he got Fox backing up.
4. Work on "Plan X." If you're J.D. and the staff, you need to consider what to do if you're losing by one or two late in the match from both your feet and bottom. You need that one series of moves that are high risk but have been well practiced that will result in a score. Also, what if you're winning by one and there are 20 seconds to go and you're on top. Pucillo had a great plan for riding out Todd during those finals 11 seconds. J.D. has to prepare for that situation as well.
5. This will sound contradictory but you can't spend the next two weeks preparing solely for Fox. He's the best opponent at the weight class but you'll only see him by winning 4-5 other matches. It's important to spend a little "Fox time" each day but then forget about him. There are other tough opponents and each round you advance, the pressure builds. Almost no one makes the finals without finding themselves down in at least one match. Fixating on one opponent can undermine a tournament performance.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: J.D. Bergman v. Dustin Fox
Jack Muni added to this discussion on March 10, 2008
|
If I were Ohio State, I'd try to get a hold of a video of the Wisconsin/Northwestern match where Massey beat Fox. See if there is something they can pick up on. How did Massey beat him? Another thing, about a sweeping type leg attack, if he can do it, fine. Tommy Rowlands was good at that. But I think back to former Buckeye Nick Preston who would do a, for the lack of a better word, a standing single, where he tries to snatch the leading leg of his opponent without going to his knees or lunging straight forward where a big guy flattens you out and spins around. I was always a big fan of that move since if the opponent pulls back quickly you are in no danger of a counter takedown. I hope they meet again in the finals. Do you think J.D. would ever go for broke and try that throw he caught Wade Sauer with in Vegas? Especially early in the match.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: J.D. Bergman v. Dustin Fox
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 11, 2008
|
Jack:
Fox has had some close matches this year against guys like Zabriskie and Massey, but he's always hammered them in their rematch. I suspect that these close matches (or loss to Massey) have less to do with what their opponents did than Fox simply not wrestling to his ability. Fox is strong, agile, and well conditioned. The headlock worked because Sauer walked into it. Fox presents a smaller target for this move.
The inside trip seems to present some possibilities but the problem is J.D. goes right into Fox's hips when he hits it. It's like a brick wall. J.D.'s best chance to take down Fox would be to somehow get in on a low shot around the heels and lasso him. That's the only vulnerability I see for a guy with Fox's skills and build. Indeed a low single off the whistle would be a good move for J.D. to practice over the next few weeks.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: J.D. Bergman v. Dustin Fox
Jack Muni added to this discussion on March 11, 2008
|
What worries me now is Fox knows he can ride J.D. out if he has to. The only escape that almost worked was that Granby. Fox is well conditioned for a guy as big as he is, as I've seen in some of his overtime matches. If J.D. could get that one takedown, he could beat him. But that's a big if. They have two weeks to figure something out. I just hope they both make the finals.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: J.D. Bergman v. Dustin Fox
Dom Mancini added to this discussion on March 11, 2008
|
Silver Medal is all over this. <banghead>
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: J.D. Bergman v. Dustin Fox
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 11, 2008
|
|
Quote from Dom Mancini's post:
|
|
"Silver Medal is all over this. <banghead>"
|
Dom: Just trying to help out Tom Ryan (2x AA), Joe Heskett (national champ, 5th in world), Tom Rowlands (2x national champ, 5th in world), Lou Rosselli (former olympian), as well as 2x AA J.D. Bergman.
I never lost a JV match in high school so there's probably alot I know of which they're not aware.
<smiling>
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: J.D. Bergman v. Dustin Fox
Dom Mancini added to this discussion on March 11, 2008
|
Hank,
I'm just having fun. You actually give good advice. I think you know that Silver Medal is Dustin Fox's dad and he is always all over the internet. I was just making a joke that he was going to read it and report back to Dustin.
Dom
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: J.D. Bergman v. Dustin Fox
John Ice added to this discussion on March 11, 2008
|
You have me very confused Dom, unless I am confused about the Silver Medal man.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: J.D. Bergman v. Dustin Fox
Dom Mancini added to this discussion on March 11, 2008
|
I got my old screen names mixed up. Not Silver Medal but it was WesTech77, I think.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: J.D. Bergman v. Dustin Fox
John Ice added to this discussion on March 11, 2008
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: J.D. Bergman v. Dustin Fox
Don Bork added to this discussion on March 11, 2008
|
Hank, I agree with the points you make here, especially regarding how J.D. was moving and pushing Fox off the mat. He needs to use this movement to get Fox more off balance which could lead to the one takedown J.D. needs to win or to show the ref more obviously than he did in the Big Ten final that Fox is making no real attempt offensively. As far as the standing leg snatch J.D. would be attempting to lift a far bigger thigh and hip than Nick ever did, though I agree it is a safer attempt than going under Fox. Judging by the way Fox wrestled I think he was trying to force a shot by J.D..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
