CrabbyDad

Certainly not a sole option. As far as first option from on top, I think it depends on what kind of crab ride you're talking about. If you're talking about a 2-on-1 crab, then no. We run the tight-waist/half nelson crab, where you can run the half or get a short hook-pin, get the two-on-one from the bottom guy fighting the half, or just ride the tilts and rack up points. So for us it more or less functions as a platform. I think the mentality of the wrestler has a lot to do with what works for them as well. Different things work for different kids.

I disagree that the crab ride is a "slacker move." My son's been working on it for the last 3-4 months with his coach, and is having a lot of success with it. It's a versatile offensive system, and it has the benefit of being very counter-intuitive to defend against. Here's a video I made of his work at a tournament today. And to answer the question, I think the crab ride is the better ride. I think you can be much more offensive with it. A lot of kids sink a leg and just sit there. Also, I think the leg-in ride is easier to defend.