Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1914 — FRANK GOTCH TELLS OF HEADLOCK HOLD [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FRANK GOTCH TELLS OF HEADLOCK HOLD

“Followers of wrestling believe that the toe hold is the most terrible grip in the game,” says Gotch, “but that is an erroneous idea. One cannot deprive an opponent of life with the toe hold. One can kill his opponent with a flying mare, a strangle hold or a headlock. The strangle hold is barred in professional wrestling, but the flying mare and headlock are permissible. “It is possible for a strong wrestler to break his opponent’s neck by a quick wrench of the head with a punishing headlock. Probably more wrestlers have been killed by the flying mare than any other bold, and this leads to the assertion that few men of the mat are killed in professional matches. A wrestler of small stature may become a giant in relative wrestling ability after perfecting a headlock or some form of this grip. That is what has added to the fame of Fred Beell, the best little man perhaps th j game has known. “I have used the headlock in of my matches, although it Is a splendid means of winning when pitted against a dangerous opponent. I defeated Jenkins February 1, 1905, at Cleveland, with a form of the headlock. Jenkins was the strongest catch-as-catch-can wrestler of his time, and I used thii hold because I had to lake advantage of any opportunity to pin him. “The headlock is secured in two ways. It may be placed on a wrestler when he is on his hands and knees on the mat, and in this position an arm is usually locked with the head. If the attacker is on the right side, he may push down the head of his opponent, resting his left arm heavily on the head. He reaches under his opponent’s right arm and grabs his own left hand just below the wrist In

this way the head may be drawn toward* the arm with which it is securely locked against the attacker. The right arm of the defensive wrestler is helpless and he may be drawn to the side and easily forced to the mat “Beell’s headlock, however, does not include an arm. This is a form of the headlock I have used at times, but have relinquished it when it might injure an opponent . It is- secured when the opponent is m a standing position. “The attacker may pull down his opponent's head, reaching over his head with his left hand. With his right hand he reaches under the head of his opponent and grasps his own left hand just below the wrist The attacker’s left hand fits into the jaw of the defensive wrestler on the right side. The head is in and locked. Then the twist may* be applied and the defensive wrestler drawn to the mat. Beell’s short arm and great strength in his arms and shoulders make him peculiarly constructed by nature to apply this grip. “Tom Jenkins defeated me with Beell’s form of the headlock in one of the toughest matches of my life at Cleveland, February 22, 1903. Some could not understand why I lost to Jenkins. The headlock defeated me. It will defeat any man when secured by a wrestler as strong as Jenkins. He secured this jaw lock on me while we were standing. I tried in vain to extricate myself. Jenkins applied the twist, and I began to think of all the mean things I had ever done. I wanted my head for future use, so 1 dropped to the mat Jenkins retained the hold, and when he pinned me with it, I swore he would never get that grip on me again.” (Copyright. 1913. by Joseph’B. Bowles.)

Gotch Applying the Headlock.