Takedown Report

Warner: Postseason wins may come down to critical ‘little things’

By Tristan Warner
As the postseason tournaments get underway across the nation, I started thinking about ways wrestlers can gain even the slightest competitive edge on their opponents this late in the season.  Let me start by stating this: Now is not the time to start changing your approach or routines. The “if-it-ain’t-broke, don’t-fix-it” expression can certainly apply here. 

This column first appeared in the Feb. 20 issue of WIN Magazine. Click on the cover or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe.
At this point in the season, everyone is preparing their minds and bodies for peak performance, so gaining a competitive edge can be difficult. Additionally, the regular season is a grind. Demanding the best out of your body when it is beaten down is not for the faint of heart, but that is why we wrestle. 
If there are any athletes or coaches out there looking for suggestions that might allow for some positive change late in the season, I have compiled some nuanced recommendations that I learned over the course of my career that made an impact for me.

Improve your warm-up
Blowing your lungs out before you step on the mat is crucial, especially before the first match of the day. Whether it is sprints in the hallway, a hard hand fight with a teammate or even burpees or squat jumps, any activity that stimulates aerobic and anaerobic activity just before a match will help. Too many wrestlers walk out cold and the first scramble takes the wind out of them. Simulate that first flurry of action during your warm-up. 

Consider your pre-match music and timing
The credit for this goes to nationally-renowned sports psychologist Dr. Jarrod Spencer and his Mind of the Athlete program. Too many athletes listen to hype music too long before their match, which can have an emotionally-draining effect. Listen to calm, relaxing music up until about 15 minutes before your match or when you are “in the hole” on a mat. Then flip the switch and get yourself amped up, just not too soon. 

Workout before weigh-ins
From my experience, most kids try to wake up under weight and wait to eat or drink until after weigh-ins. Then they get their warm-up in after weigh-ins and try to work out the food and fluid that is sloshing around in their stomachs. 
If possible, emulate the college method of waking up a little earlier and perhaps even a pound or two overweight. Maybe get a little bite to eat, so you have some calories in your body for energy later on. Then use that 45 minutes-to-an-hour period in the gym before skin checks and weigh-ins to jog, sprint, shadow drill or drill to get that last remaining pound or two off. 
You will not only have more energy throughout the day, but you will also have already gotten a good warm-up in and blown the lungs out nice and early. 

Bring an extra pair of wrestling shoes to warm up in
I might lose some people here. I always warmed up in a pair of “practice shoes” first. Then, when it was “game time” and I felt it was symbolic to flip the switch, I laced up and taped my “match shoes” and prepared for battle. … story at … WIN-magazine.com/Postseason-wins-may-come-down-to-critical-little-things

March 2, 2024 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized