High School Wrestling: 5 Tips for Becoming a Winner

High school wrestlers can improve their wrestling dramatically by following the five tips I've outlined below.

1. Increase Your Knowledge Base

This probably seems like a no brainer but it needs to be covered. While your coach and teammates are your best source of wrestling knowledge you shouldn't stop there. Consider attending a wrestling camp during the summer that is hosted by a successful collegiate program. Read books on wrestling moves. You will certainly find moves you haven't heard of before or better ways of doing moves that you already know. Buy videos from wrestling champions demonstrating their winning techniques. If you can't meet with Olympic Champion John Smith in person you can at least buy a teaching video of him. Use inexpensive resources like the public library, free internet articles, and free online videos to expand your knowledge.

2. Develop Superior Wrestling Technique

Generally speaking, the wrestler with the best technique is going to win the match. Learn as many moves as possible. But, more importantly, know how to do each move correctly. Make sure you have impeccable technique on basics like single leg takedowns, double leg takedowns, stand ups, switches, and arm bars. Watch your coach and teammates closely. Ask questions in practice if you need to. And, once again, read books and watch videos on proper wrestling technique. Practice makes perfect. Drill moves over and over until proper technique becomes second nature.

3. Develop Superior Wrestling Conditioning

If two wrestlers of equal talent meet in competition then the better conditioned athlete will have an advantage. Remember that training should be sport specific. Training for wrestling is not the same as training for a marathon. Keep in mind that wrestling is an anaerobic sport. Anaerobic means "without oxygen." Wrestling involves many short bursts of high intensity along with less intense periods during the span of a six minute match. For example, you may shoot in for a takedown and then control your opponent for a while before you apply maximum exertion again in an attempt to pin him. You don't need to perform five mile runs to get in shape for wrestling. Sprints or interval training would be better. In addition, when resistance training keep in mind the muscles you most use when wrestling. For example, you need strong legs, a strong back, and strong forearms. Read books and browse website pertaining to wrestling specific conditioning.

4. Practice Proper Nutrition

Some wrestlers prefer to reduce their weight to wrestle in a lower weight class thinking they will have a competitive advantage. It's debatable whether this is true or not. If you decide to lose weight, you still need to practice proper nutrition. Make sure you get enough of all three macronutrients in your diet: carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Fat is important to your body so don't remove it entirely even when attempting to lose weight. Remember that carbohydrate is your body's preferred fuel source. Make sure to eat enough breads, cereals, potatoes, pasta, and rice. Make sure you stay hydrated. Water is a very important nutrient that your body shouldn't be short on. Try to limit the junk food and "empty calories in" your diet. Try to have at least 80% of the food you eat be natural, unprocessed, and healthy. Some good foods for wrestlers are breads, cereals, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, lean red meat, turkey, chicken, tuna, low fat yogurt, and skim milk. Make sure that your pre competition meal is light and carbohydrate based.

5. Develop Mental Toughness

Even if you are talented and in good condition you can still lose matches if you aren't confident and focused. Some wrestlers find that having a pre match routine or ritual keeps them focused and calms their nerves. Try to develop a certain warm up routine that you perform before each match. Using positive self suggestion can also be helpful. Try saying to yourself, "I am talented. I am in good condition. I know I can beat this guy." You can also use visualization before a match. Visualize the moves the moves you plan on doing in the match. Visualize yourself beating your opponent and winning the match. Then go out and win that match.

If you follow these tips your wrestling will surely improve and you will be a threat to your competition.

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