Cradles

Question
My 10 year son has been wrestling awhile now. Last year he had to take off a season due to an injury sustained in football. He had come off a 25-6 season prior to this. He is getting back into the swing of it as he went 3 for 3 at his first tournament this year. It seams like hes forgotten how to find the cradle. Can you offer any tips on how to make him more aware of looking for it, without forcing it? Any tips would help. Thank you a wrestlers Dad

Answer
well that's kind of a tricky situation.  often times you get a cradle by forcing it and other times you just fall into it.  but the answer to your question would depend on what type of cradle; if near side, there any of a number of scenarios, off of a shot, or from in the top position.  on top if you clip the near ankle and drag the head, you could force a near side cradle.  far side cradles are a little more difficult, because they need to be forced much more.  post and cross face, then run the head to the feet. obviously, its hard to describe these situations adequately in an e-mail.  other then that all i can say is that if he likes the cradle, then tell him to use it at his leisure. they're very effective if run correctly and you learn by doing. so tell him to cut loose with the cradles and make sure to work on the situations that work and try to avoid the situations that don't, but i guess that goes for any wrestling situation or hold not just cradles.  so, i hope i helped out and good luck with the season, coming off an injury, it might take him some time to get in the groove, but give it time.