Escape from an Ankle Lock

There are actually two excellent examples here of how to escape from an Iowa (top man has bottom man's ankle hooked with a leg) or a hand on the far ankle. Both of these moves from the top are very common. Equally common is for the bottom man to have no idea how to get out of this situation. These escapes are very easy to do and are a must for every beginning wrestler to master.

Grambi Roll

This is another more advanced move. I like the grambi series a lot. It catches people off guard and, if they are expecting it, opens up other moves.

Double Overhook with an Inside Trip

This is a more advanced move but I like to throw these in there every now and then.

Standing Front Headlock to Cradle

This is a very cool move. I am a fan of knowing a lot of moves. While you really only need a few moves that you are very good at; knowing a lot of moves gives you more options and keeps your opponent off guard.

Here is a neat way to get a cradle from a standing headlock position.

Simplest Lateral Throw

This is a good move for 5-points. 2 points for a takedown and 3 points for a near fall. There is a lot more technique to this move than is shown here so if you like the Lateral throw, look at some more youtube.com videos on it.

Cael Sanderson on Finishing a Double after the opponent sprawls

So often, I see kids shoot a takedown and then, as soon as the opponent sprawls, they seem to just hand out on the bottom thinking, "Well, that didn't work." There are a lot of takedowns from a double or a single, depending on how the other man responds. It really comes down to two things. (1) Do you know what moves are available to you and (2) Who wants it the most.

The Lateral Drop

This is a 5-point move; 2-point takedown and 3-point near fall. The key is to first concentrate on getting a good over-hook. Secondly, notice how he steps in close.

Sit out to arm chop

This is another sit-out video. I like this because it demonstrates that an "arm chop" by the guy on top actually helps the move. Many new wrestlers let this arm chop stop them. They just lay over instead of going with it.

Cael Sanderson's Ankle Pick

I like this move. While I am not a fan of "tying up", it is a must for the ankle pick. One point that I think is left out in this video is the need to take the head down to the ankle. If you do that, it puts weight on the ankle you are going for and your opponent will not be able to lift it and step back.

Outside Leg Standup

I normally teach the stand-up with the inside leg. Standing with the outside leg lends itself well for the top man to spear your legs to a navy ride. However, this looks like it works well if properly executed.

Additionally, we should always learn our moves from both sides; its a simple was to double the number of moves you know.

Russian Tie to a double-leg takedown.

Never tie up. It's always very tempting to tie up with the guy and dance for a bit. This gives you a chance to rest and maybe let him make the first move. Neither of these is a good idea. If you are resting, so is he. If he makes the first move, he has the advantage.

You should always have several tricks in your bag for when a guy wants to tie up. I think the best is to duck under as soon as he reaches. However, if he does get in close, here is an option.

Countering a Double-leg

This is one was to counter a double-leg takedown or a high-C.

Fireman's Carry

This is a 5-point move from the standing position; 2 points for a takedown and 3 points for a near-fall. I like the interesting way this is set up. I have never seen the way he uses his arm to make room to duck under, but I like it.

No matter how you get in, once you have the arm and leg, the rest is easy.

The Switch

There are at least a dozen different types of switch. All follow the basic technique shown here. This is a move from the bottom or from the standing position if the guy is behind you. It's a 2-point reversal move.

The number one reason this move fails is that you do not clear your arm on the bottom. Also, not shown here, you should control the top guy's arm so he can't drop his arm into your crotch for a reswitch.

Sit Out to Peterson Roll

This is a 5-point move from the bottom. If done correctly, you will get a 2-point reversal and a 2 or 3-point near fall; possibly a pin.

When you sit out and knee-over, the top person will rush to stay behind you. To set this move up, you need to sit out two times in a row, quickly. After the first knee-over, the top man is scrambling to get behind you. After the second knee over, he is having to scramble even more. This is when you hit the move. Use his momentum to carry him over as you do the roll.

Smith Setups

Setting up the takedown is the most important part of actually getting a takedown. In this video, the importance of controlling the arms is demonstrated:

The Cradle

This is a move from the top used to take a person to his back. Look to use this move when a person's head is near his knee.

Tight Waste and Ankle

This is a move for the top person to use in order to break the bottom person down to his stomach. Most moves that put a person on his back occur after that person has been broken down to his stomach.

Here, you grab an ankle. I like all moves where the top person takes an ankle. Think about what a bottom person has to do to escape or reverse the top person. He needs to get this legs out. If you take an ankle, it makes it hard for him to stand up, sit out or switch.

Taking an ankle can mean grabbing it with your hand or hooking it with your own leg (the Iowa) or, as I like to do, I place my lower leg over the top of his leg and sit on it.

Here is the video:

Braumon Creighton - The swisher drill

This is the drill for you to practice going from a square stance to a staggered stance. Notice that you don't step back or forward. Your legs each go in opposite directions so your body position relative to your opponent is unchanged.

Braumon Creighton - The Peek from a failed double-leg.

Sometimes, when you don't get in deep on a double-leg, your opponent will sprawl and his arms will end up hanging on either side of your body. Here is a counter to that position.

Braumon Creighton - The square stance

This is the stance you will use when circling. Remember that to shoot you need to go to a staggered stance. The staggered stance has a lead leg, the one in front. When you circle in a square stance, make sure you circle "away" from the leg that will be your lead leg in a staggered stance.

Braumon Creighton - Knee slide after a failed double-leg takedown

If you shoot a double-leg takedown but don't get in deep, here is a way to recover.

Braumon Creighton - A fast shot

If you can get in fast, you will get your shot. Here is how to do it. Learn this and never lose another match.

Braumon Creighton - Double to a navy ride

This is a move that can be used to follow up a double-leg takedown. It takes your opponent to his back for point or a pin. The navy ride is a useful ride that can be attained through a variety of moves, the double-leg takedown is just one way to do it.

Braumon Creighton - The staggard stance

Shooting a takedown is done from the staggard stance. Get in the stance, lower your body and go!

Braumon Creighton - Moving the double drill

Once you get in deep on a double, this is the drill to help you learn how to finish the move.

Braumon Creighton - Setting up a double leg takedown

Ninety percent of getting a successful double-leg takedown is setting it up so you can get in deep. Here is how its done:

Braumon Creighton - Abus Roll

This is a move to use if you get caught in a double-leg takedown.

Braumon Creighton

Many Thanks to Braumon Creighton who conducted a takedown clinic at Novato High School on Friday, November 26th. I will be posting several videos of him teaching our wrestlers. In the meantime, here is a highlight video of this National Champion in action.

Countering the head and arm

There are a number of ways to counter the head and arm. If you fail to learn these, and someone puts you in a head-and-arm, you will be in for a long hard wait as the period winds down.

Here are a couple of counters that you must know.

Bridging from you back

If you can see the lights on the gym's ceiling, you are probably not in a favorable position.

If you find yourself on your back you need to dig deep and explode out of there with everything that you have. If you only have one gallon of energy left in your tank, use it to get off of your back.

Here are some sample ways to do that.

The Head and Arm

This is a flashy move used by new wrestlers. It can take another beginning wrestler to his back quickly.

We don't use this move. The reason is that we are usually not wrestling new wrestlers. Most experienced wrestlers know how to either (a) counter this move or (b) avoid getting into in to begin with.

If you try this move and fail, you will almost certainly be taken down. If you try this move and succeed, you will almost certainly be countered.

However, here is what it looks like. Knowing it is the first step in countering it.

Don't Reach Back!!!

Every beginning wrestler is going to reach back and then find himself on his back. This is how it will happen: The new wrestler will be in the bottom position. He will notice his opponent's head (and maybe shoulders) up right next to his own. It will then occur to him that he should reach back and grab what he can and then execute a throw which will put his opponent on his back.

The problem is, the other wrestler is not going to let you do that. In fact, he is probably waiting for you to give it a try. As soon as you do, he's going to drive into you and put on a half...or he will grab whatever you reach back with and not give it back. He'll take your arms or hands or whatever you are offering and use them against you.

Never, reach back!!

The Arm-Bar

This is a move from the top position. This is a turning move which means the top man uses it to turn the bottom man to his back. If you expose your opponent's back to the mat, you will get 2 or 3 points. If you can hold his back to the mat for 2 seconds, you will win by a pin.

The Sitout

This is an extremely versatile and thus, important move from the bottom position. In its simplest form, it can be either an escape or a reversal. In its more advanced forms, it can lead to pinning combinations. Learn this one to perfection!

Escaping from the 1-on-1

If the top person had a 1-on-1 on you (the bottom person), your options are very limited until you can free your hands and arms. Once you are free, then you can go for an escape or reversal.

Escaping From a Half Nelson

If you cannot escape from the Half Nelson, you will be pinned. This is a move for the bottom man. The situation is that the top man has put on (or is trying to put on) a half nelson (also called "a half"). To get out of it, you must act quickly or it will be too late.

2-on-1

The 2-on-1 is a move from the top, similar in purpose to the 1-on-1. However, instead of having one hand on each of the opponents wrists, the top man has two of his hands on one of the bottom man's arms.

The 1-on-1

This is a controlling move performed by the person on time when his opponent is on his stomach. There are several offensive moves from this position while, at the same time, denying many defensive options to the person on bottom.

The Half Nelson

This is a move from the top position. You must first break the other wrestler down to his stomach. Once that is done, the half nelson can be used to turn him to his back. When his back is exposed to the mat, you will gain 2 or 3 points, depending on how long you can hold him there. If you succeed it putting him all the way on his back and holding him there for 2 seconds, you will will by pin.

Far Arm Near Ankle

This is a move where you are on top and you want to turn your opponent to his back without having to first break him down to his stomach.  Turning an opponent to his back will earn you two or even three points.  If you are able to hold their back to the mat for 2 seconds, you will score a pin which is an automatic win.

Chop and Block

This is a move from the top position.  Most pinning combinations, not all, involve breaking the bottom opponent down to their stomach.  Once they are there.  Make sure to keep hip pressure so they cannot get back up to their base.  There are no points for breaking an opponent down.  This is mearly the first step on the way to making more points or even getting a pin.

Stand Up from the Down Position

When you are on the down position, the stand up is a way to escape.  An escape is worth two points.  Remember, if you are good at escapes, you need to also be good at take downs because once you escape you will both be trying to take each other down.  A take-down is worth two points.

The double leg take-down

This is when two wrestlers are both on their feet in a neutral position.  A take-down is worth two points.

Priorities

Most kids, entering a wrestling program for the very first time, think that wrestling is about strength.  It doesn't take long for them to find out differently.  The first day, take a big newbie and put him against a much smaller, much more skilled wrestler and the issue is soon resolved.

Skills trump strength. 

I would prioritize those things a wrestler needs in the following order:

An attitude of "I can do it."
Skills
Stamina (aerobic and anaerobic)
Strength (Grip first.  No grip means all the other muscle just puts you in a higher weight class)

By the end of the first season, wrestlers come to realize the above are essentially correct; but not purely so.  If you know 5% more moves than me but I am twice as strong, then maybe strength wins that battle.

Two more weeks until the start of the season.

Jim

Videos

One of the things I intend to do with this blog is to post instructional videos.  I will tape them as the coach teaches them throughout the season.  The wrestlers will then be able to review the lessons as they wish.

Here is a sample video:

The Best Sport - Period

Greetings. 

If you are reading this, you are either a fan of wrestling or, you thought this was a blog about WWF.  If it's the later, "hasta la vista, baby."

I wrestled in high school and college.  While not the world's greatest wrestler, I won more than my share.  More importantly, I came away from the sport a different person than I was when I first went in.

I started as a high school freshman.  I weighed 80 pounds.  Back then, the lightest weight class was 95 pounds.  I could make weight fully clothed with all of my school books in my arms.  That very first year, I lost 50% of my matches.

But I learned how to win over time.

I am blogging to satisfy my need to stay in touch with the sport.  I coach wrestling at Novato High School.  My son is on the team.  I watch it on those rare occasions it is on television.  I read about it.  I dream about it.

An now I blog about it.

Feel free to join me.

Jim