Rarely does a single move or maneuver completely change the momentum of a sporting event. Not often does the face of a game or match completely transform in a few pivotal seconds. Sure, a grand slam home run or a last second jumpshot can change a game, but only if the game is close to begin with. In contrast, not many moves can bring victory at a point of impending defeat.
Most fans think only a knockout in boxing could have such a decisive impact. Obviously they didn't witness the monstrous headlock Virginia heavyweight Josh Etu used to manhandle his UNC-Greensboro opponent -- in 37 seconds. Unfortunately, collegiate wrestling is not as high-profile as other sports, so this devastating move often goes unnoticed.
"An article on the headlock," senior Bob Seidel said while chuckling. "I never thought I'd see the day."
First off, a headlock is not what most fans think it is if their only basis is watching scripted professional wrestling on TV. It does not involve choking your opponent, nor squeezing his head, nor putting him to sleep. So, if you have thoughts of Hulk Hogan's "24-inch pythons," or Ted Dibiase's "million dollar dream," feel free to discard them and learn something new
In actuality, the headlock is an upper-body takedown maneuver used to get an opponent on the ground and in position for the pin. In simpler terms, it's an advanced type of throw that rarely is used in collegiate wrestling.
"You've got one hand on the elbow and one hand around the head," Virginia coach Lenny Bernstein said. "You're taking your opponent from his feet to the ground, and then right to his back."
What makes the move so dynamic is its riskiness, as it almost always changes a match for better or worse. If a wrestler is successful in landing it, he puts his opponent in a near-impossible situation to get out of. If he misses, he puts himself in prime position to be taken down.
"Sometimes a head lock can be do or die," Bernstein said. "Etu, against Virginia Tech, missed the headlock twice and lost four points that way. He got taken down and had to come back. So I don't like to emphasize it."
Currently, three Cavaliers boast the headlock as part of their takedown repertoire. Along with Etu, senior Bob Seidel often uses the move and sophomore Will Durkee has begun to pick it up.
"I use a move called the 'duck-under,' then lock up the arm and the head, and throw the guy over my hip," Seidel said. "Basically, it can keep you in any match -- you can be down by ten and hit a headlock and win the match. Plus, you get six points for your team when you do it, so it's really big in dual meets."
If the sheer ability of the move to transform the match doesn't strike you, the instantaneous nature of it should. Against UNC-Greensboro, Etu literally dismantled his opponent in seconds. If anyone looked away, they missed it. For those wrestlers who have mastered the headlock, it can be a handy luxury during tournaments and all-day meets, when they have to wrestle more than one opponent in an afternoon.
"A lot of my matches have been won by headlocks," Seidel said. "The majority of my pins have come by headlocks. This year, in three matches at the North Carolina Open, I think I wrestled a total of three minutes, because I head-locked three kids in a minute each."
Finally, the headlock can ignite the crowd, much like a slam-dunk or a home run. In a sport that lacks tremendous fan support, the ability to get the crowd involved is a pleasant addition to any meet.
"The crowd likes it a lot because the guy goes flying through the air," Seidel said.
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