You guys are both right. If they let you lock hands in folkstyle, it would probably make it very hard to escape.
However, switching to freestyle isn't just learning another move. Gut wrench offence- and defence- is one of the fundamental positions of freestyle and greco wrestling. Not something you just pick up overnight. Watch some
Brent Metcalf freestyle matches- can go head-to-head with anyone on their feet, but gets spun like a top when he's on bottom.