Ben Askren Technique Lives On FloWrestling
Ben Askren Technique Lives On FloWrestling
Check out all of the Ben Askren technique you could ever want, all in one place.
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Ben Askren is widely considered one of the best technicians and scramblers the US has ever had. He didn't rely on strength or conditioning, it was his technique that earned him two Hodge Trophies and a spot on the 2008 Olympic Team. Fortunately for you, Ben doesn't mind sharing those techniques. In addition to all of the Ben Askren tech videos below, checkout every technique and training video FloWrestling has to offer, look HERE.
Scrambling
Of course, we have to start with scrambling technique. Ben didn't earn the nickname "Funky" for no reason. He is the king of funk. First and foremost, watch him get real nerdy for over 20 minutes discusses scrambling.
Now, Ben Askren's bread and butter scrambling series, "The Churella Series".
Churella Series (Part 1): The Standard Cradle (WATCH HERE)
Churella Series (Part 2): The Hurdler Stretch Cradle (WATCH HERE)
Churella Series (Part 3): The Sanderson Steal (WATCH HERE)
Churella Series (Part 4): The Slide-Off Reattack Cradle (WATCH HERE)
Churella Series (Part 5): How To Lock Up The Cradle When The Head Pops Out (WATCH HERE)
Churella Series (Part 6): Using The Series To Turn His Single Into One Of Your Own (WATCH HERE)
Churella Series (Part 7): Hipping Into Your Opponent When The Head Slides Out (WATCH HERE)
Top
Now, on to the top position. Ben was constantly looking for the pin, with his go-to pinning combination being the cradle. Everyone in college who wrestled Ben knew the cradle was coming, but few could stop it. All of these videos will help show you the techniques Ben was able to earn almost 100 pins in college, but first hear Ben talk about it himself.
Proper Lock To Use On Cradle (WATCH HERE)
Nearside Cradle Setup (WATCH HERE)
Farside Cradle Setup (WATCH HERE)
Head Inside Cradle (WATCH HERE)
Head Outside Cradle (WATCH HERE)
Bubba Jenkins Cradle (WATCH HERE)
Suicide Cradle Series (WATCH HERE)
How To Properly Finish A Cradle (WATCH HERE)
Backwards Cradle Roll (WATCH HERE)
Mid Gut Lock With High Gut Footwork (WATCH HERE)
In addition to working on all of those techniques, use this cradle drill to become unstoppable.
Defense
"I shoot, I score. You shoot, I score" is a Dan Gable quote, but it might as well have been a Ben Askren quote. Even better, "I shoot, I score. You shoot, I pin." Ben was just as good, if not better, at locking up a cradle from the neutral position as he was from the top position.
No Sprawl Draping Cradle (WATCH HERE)
Sprawling Cradle 1 (WATCH HERE)
Sprawling Cradle 2 (WATCH HERE)
Sprawling Cradle 3 (WATCH HERE)
Sprawling Cradle 4 (WATCH HERE)
Sprawling Cradle 5 (WATCH HERE)
Low Single Cradle Defense (WATCH HERE)
Sprawling Cradle Safety Net (WATCH HERE)
Beating A Leg Clinger (WATCH HERE)
Offense
In addition to strict drilling these techniques, remember sparring through positions can be a huge difference maker.
Post To Cross Knee Pick (WATCH HERE)
Head Inside Shot From Tied Up Wrist (WATCH HERE)
Redip From High Crotch (WATCH HERE)
Knee Dip From Sweep Single (WATCH HERE)
Bottom
Bottom: not exactly the position Ben Askren is known for (hence the lack of videos), but still extremely valuable stuff in these two videos.
Bonus Match Footage
Now watch the Funk Master put those techniques to work in real match situations.
vs Jake Herbert at Midlands 2010
vs Travis Paulson at 2010 World Team Trials
vs Moza Fay at 2010 Beat The Streets
vs Joe Heskett at 2007 Senior Nationals
vs Keith Gavin at 2009 Senior Nationals
vs Quentin Wright at AGON 2013
And this last video's just for fun. Sorry Bader.
