Takedown Report

Eight ways wrestlers can kill postseason performances

By Jeff and Gene Zannetti

The following list is one of the examples of the resources Wrestling Mindset provides to help wrestlers reach their potential. For more information on Wrestling Mindset, go to https://www.wrestlingmindset.com.

1. Wasting time and energy on social media. Stop focusing on what your opponents are doing on social media. This often adds pressure and is a major distraction for many wrestlers. We recommend a social media “blackout” during the season/postseason.

2. Focusing too much on records, rankings, predictions and seedings. This adds pressure and does little to help you. Focus on scoring points and winning each position. The result will take care of itself. You are 0-0 now. Rankings and predictions mean nothing.

This column appeared in the January issue of WIN Magazine. Click on the cover of the magazine to subscribe.

3. Not training your mind. Wrestling is 90 percent mental. You cannot outwork a bad mindset. You need to develop mental skills and focus on the right things to wrestle your best in the postseason. Talk to a mindset coach weekly.

4. Blaming the referee. Bad calls happen and mistakes are made. You cannot control the ref, but you can control how you respond to them. Stop complaining! “Sometimes you have to win the match two or three times”— Zeke Jones. Control the things you can control, your effort and attitude.

5. Wrestling like you have something to defend or wrestling “not to lose”. Maybe you won a state or national title last season. Don’t let last year’s title … rest of story at WIN-magazine.com/2023/01/31/24405/

February 4, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

2022-23 NAIA Men’s Wrestling Coaches’ Top 20 Poll – No. 5

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Grand View (Iowa) now leads the NAIA Men’s Wrestling Coaches’ Top 20 Poll for the sixth consecutive rankings of 2022-23. The rest of the Top Five remains identical with Life (Ga.), Southeastern (Fla.), Doane (Neb.), and Indiana Tech. Missouri Valley moves into the Top 20, replacing Southern Oregon.

Poll Methodology

• The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the eight conferences.
• Two days prior to the national poll, each qualifying group rater submits the top 10 individuals from each weight class in his conference into the system. Only wrestlers listed on a conference ballot are considered for the national ballot.
• The top 25 individuals in each weight class is based on how each voter ranks the best individuals. An individual receives 25 points for each first place vote, 24 for second place and so on through the list. This same point system is used to determine the team ranking.
• The highest and lowest ranking for each team (a non-rating is considered a low rating) is removed and the team’s ranking will be recalculated with an additional point added to each team for every ballot
• For the complete Top 20 calendar, click here.

February 4, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

2022-23 NAIA Women’s Wrestling Coaches’ Top 20 Poll – No. 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Grand View (Iowa) takes over the top spot in the latest Yes! Athletics NAIA Women’s Wrestling Coaches’ Top 20 Poll. Life (Ga.) also moves up one play while former top ranked Southern Oregon sits third. Cumberlands (Ky.) leaps four spots into the Top Five while Menlo (Calif.) remains fifth. 

Poll Methodology

• The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the five conferences.
• Two days prior to the national poll, each qualifying group rater submits the top six individuals from each weight class in his conference into the system. Only wrestlers listed on a conference ballot are considered for the national ballot.
• The top 20 individuals in each weight class is based on how each voter ranks the best individuals. An individual receives 20 points for each first place vote, 19 for second place and so on through the list. This same point system is used to determine the team ranking.
• The highest and lowest ranking for each team (a non-rating is considered a low rating) is removed and the team’s ranking will be recalculated with an additional point added to each team for every ballot
• Teams that receive only one point in the ballot are not considered “receiving votes.”
• For the complete Top 20 calendar, click here.

February 4, 2023 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment