Brands on perception of “Iowa Style” wrestling

Flowrestling sat down with University of Iowa Coach Tom Brands for its Cliff Keen Classic Coaches segment. At the start, Brands takes down (pun intended) the idea of one set "Iowa Style" for the Hawkeye wrestling program. The perception is that the Iowa style of wrestling is a brawling mentality that beats an opponent into submission. Although there are some components of that in the program, it isn't solely based on it.

Brands said there are standards, but his wrestlers don't have to be cast from the same mold when it comes to styles. He said they have a high standard to live up to and a certain way of going about reaching those standards, but a wrestler's style doesn't affect interest in bringing a wrestler to the program or how he fits in for that matter.

Those components many associate with "Iowa style" are the ability to wrestle hard in all three positions and the continuous pursuit to score to dominate your opponent. Brands is quick to point out that is "exciting wrestling style, not Iowa style."

Brands also mentions hold strategies seem to take away from that style but Iowa coaches take it upon themselves to coach that demanding style that is exciting.

Give it a watch. Very interesting.