"There is no area in wrestling more important than the neutral position; matches are often won or lost in this area. It is imperative that the coach place significant emphasis on movement drills in the neutral position. If a wrestler is weak on his feet, he will be at a disadvantage during the rigors of competition." - The Wrestling Drill Book by William Welker
When I was in high school we placed a bit of emphasis on takedowns. After warming up and stretching, the first thing we did in practice each day was passive takedowns with a partner. Each guy would take turns shooting takedowns while his partner gave him little resistance. It wasn't hard drilling and it wasn't all that focused but at least we got some extra takedown emphasis early in the practice. We then usually went hard for a minute on takedowns. If you took your partner down then you'd let him up and start again on your feet. Sometimes we would do the duck walk drill alternating from one knee to the other moving across the mat to work on our penetration step. We used to practice these penetration steps from one end of the wrestling room to the other. So, I guess my coach knew that takedowns were important. Takedowns are simply some of the best high school wrestling moves. Takedowns rule and can really put the odds of winning in your favor.
How important are takedowns?
"No student of the mat sport would disagree with the premise that takedowns are the name of the game in wrestling. In fact, it has been statistically proven that the wrestler who scores the first takedown usually wins the match (about 85 percent of the time)." - The Wrestling Drill Book by William Welker
I've seen this statistic cited before. Depending on the source, people claim that the wrestler who scores the first takedown wins the match 70 to 90 percent of the time. I guess the exact percentage doesn't really matter. The point is that there is a correlation between getting the first takedown and winning a wrestling match. I want to warn you though that correlation does not equal causation. Obviously, we've all seen matches where the wrestler getting the first takedown ends up losing the match. I had matches in high school where my opponent got the first takedown and yet I ended up winning the match sometimes even by fall. So, I don't want you to be overly discouraged if you don't get the first takedown. The best wrestler will usually score the first takedown and score most of the other points in the match as well. Thus, getting the first takedown correlates to winning a match but does not cause a wrestler to win a match. So, getting the first takedown offers no assurance of winning a match.
Nonetheless, some claim that getting the first takedown is big because it gets momentum going in your favor. It gives you confidence. It can give you a mental edge. It can give you a psychological advantage because now your opponent knows he's behind and has to try to make those points up.
If you are leading 2-0 at the end of the first period and get an escape in the second period for 1 point you'll be up 3-0. So, statistically speaking, if you score first and keep that momentum going it can be to your advantage. If you score first and are leading 2-0 at the end of the first period, even if your opponent takes down and gets an escape in the second period you'll still be up 2-1. So, mathematically, takedowns can be advantageous.
So for those psychological, strategic, and mathematical reasons some coaches may devote up to 70 percent or more of practice time to takedowns at least early in the season.
Strategy
Did you realize that you have the opportunity to be in the neutral position twice in every match? Obviously, a match always begins in the neutral position. And, when you get your chance to choose up, down, or neutral you can choose neutral. Therefore, if you're good on your feet you can always be assured of having two periods begin on your feet. Why choose to defer or the up or down position if you know you are good at takedowns?
In the conference tournament during my senior year I made it to the finals. I got the first takedown and added a few more points in the first period as well. When the second period was going to begin my coach was yelling at me to take neutral. I just nodded my head because I was thinking the same thing. I chose neutral, the ref blew his whistle to start the second period, and I scored a takedown almost immediately.
I had a teammate in high school who was really good at double leg takedowns. He was really good on his feet. If someone managed to stand up on him, he usually just let them go and started looking to score another takedown. He didn't seem to care much for riding and he rarely pinned people. He was a takedown machine. He place third in the state tournament his senior year mainly on the strength of his exceptional takedown ability.
I used to enjoy watching the Brands brothers when they were wrestling at the University of Iowa. They often scored the first takedown and often were still scoring takedowns relentlessly in the third period as well. They didn't seem to care much for riding although they certainly had the skills to ride. They seemed to prefer to dominate on their feet. They were both NCAA champions and Olympians which I think is a testament to the power of takedowns in wrestling.
Pins in wrestling are exciting, of course. And, the goal in wrestling is to get the fall. But, unless you're a really tough rider and have a real skill for pinning then getting a fall isn't always possible. You can dominate wrestling matches without ever pinning an opponent. So be sure to drill your takedowns a lot.
I want to leave you with this little anecdote I found online by the mother of some wrestlers.
"I can still hear Joshua, our oldest son, shout in his Type-A tone to his brothers as each one would get ready to wrestle: “You shoot! You go, Aaron!” It would echo in the gymnasium. Before the boys shook hands and before the referee blew the whistle to start the physical engagement, Joshua was sending a clear signal to his younger brothers—it’s up to you. Do it first. Don’t react, don’t retreat, don’t step back. Dive in. Shoot for the takedown. He led by example. Scrappy, determined, disciplined. He wasn’t the strongest or a privately trained athlete, but he was mentally tough and strategic.
In high school wrestling, there are 3 periods of 2 minutes each. For me, it was the longest 6 minutes of any event in my life, except for contractions during childbirth. Joshua knew that the wrestler who secures the first takedown for 2 points has a statistical and mental advantage. Studies show that 80% of wrestling matches are won by the individual who scores the first takedown—wow. It’s not the kid with the coolest wrestling shoes, or the biggest biceps, or the cocky swagger, it’s the kid with guts. It’s a mental victory, and it sets the tone for the match.' - from the article Reaching High Gear by Anne Deeter Gallaher
Yes, takedowns rule. Remember to practice wrestling tactics and techniques to improve your takedown abilities and you'll most likely win a lot of matches.
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