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Double Leg Setups

There is always a tendency for new wrestlers to (1) try to shoot a double without setting it up and (2) having failed at that, spend their time "dancing" as they tie up their opponent - abandoning the double leg take-down altogether.

Getting in on a double is not an accident. It takes technique and speed; both of which can be acquired through practice. Here is a video with a simple drill that most will find very helpful.

Step Back Takedown

I came across this today and couldn't resist. It's so simple.

That's a wrap

The season is over and now its time to start thinking about what's next.

First of all, what's not next is sitting around on your butt.

I can certainly understand a need to take a break. Wrestling is a tough sport that requires a lot of dedication; especially if you're doing it right. However, you don't want to get burned out.

Back in my day, I went out for high school track. I pole vaulted. I did this because it was fun and because part of the training for this sport included strength training.

I grew up in a small town where there was no off season wrestling (Wasco, California). But, if you live in an area where there is such a thing, give it a try. The guy, and girls, you saw throwing everyone around on the mats last season were probably in an off season program.

The absolute best thing about wrestling is that you get out of it what you put into it. This means that how well you do is completely under your control.

Try to keep your stamina high as well. I used to go out for cross country. I was always the slowest guy on the team. But when wrestling started, I could go forever.

A lot of matches are won by the better conditioned athlete that is able to keep the match alive into the third round. That's where the conditioning becomes the decider. The guy that is out of gas may have excellent technique but still get beat because his opponent has a full tank.

Character Building

Wrestling builds character.

How many times have we heard that and nodded wisely?

How many times have we actually thought about what it means to build character?

Here are my thoughts on it:

For me, wrestling is only a little bit about learning how to wrestle. The rest of the value comes from overcoming the challenges it places before young men and women as they enter adulthood.

It teaches them to show up on time. No employer in the world will long tolerate lateness.

It teaches them to prioritize. Education has to come first. So, if you are to be a student athlete, you must learn how to get your homework done and still compete.

It teaches them to not settle if they don't want to. There is nothing you can do about how tall you are or your shoe size. But you can always do something about where you fall within the wrestling hierarchy. If there is someone that is better than you, and that bothers you; then you can work to become better yourself. It's in your hands. You have control. If the team lacks discipline, step up and take a leadership role. If you have fear, identify it and find a way to overcome it.

There are so many challenges. So many opportunities to grow.

Yes, wrestling builds character...sort of. I think it exposes character and then let's the wrestler decide if he/she wants to take up the challenge.

There are those that face the uphill climb, straighten their shoulders and then take off up the slope.

Then there are those that turn away to find an easier path.

Who are you?

It t

Back Flip to Low Single

I am starting to get into the more advanced moves now. This one works...apparently. However, I have never tried it.

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.