Neutral Position and Takedown Importance
"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.
Nick and Tony Purler
Nick Purler was a three-time Missouri state wrestling champion as well as a 1994 NCAA All-American while at Oklahoma State University. Nick lost only two matches in his high school career. Nick's twin brother Tony was a two-time Missouri state champion and a 1993 NCAA champion while at the University of Nebraska. Together they now run the very popular Purler Wrestling Academy. So, these guys know all about the best wrestling moves for high school including takedowns.
Nick and Tony Purler know a lot more than just moves though. They really stress mental preparedness, positioning, hand fighting, and technique.
Good Wrestling Position and Stance are Key Techniques
"My number one defense is my head. My strongest defense is my hips," says Nick Purler in this training video. When it comes to stance and position he stresses having a wide stance and being bent over enough so that your opponent can't read your shirt. You don't want to be in a trophy stance. If you're standing upright so that your opponent can read your shirt then you are not bent at the knees enough. If you're down in a low stance you are ready to attack! Don't be in half-way wrestling stance. Be like a sprinter ready to bolt out of the starting blocks or like a coiled up snake ready to strike.
Good positioning on your feet makes you faster and stronger. A good stance limits what your opponent can do to you. If you have a good stance you're a smaller target. You don't want to be a big target leaving more openings for your opponent!
Remember - your position makes you faster, stronger, and limits what your opponent can do to you.
When shooting takedowns you need deep level change, deep penetration, fast hands, and a fast trail leg as shown in the following video. Nick says a good level change is a world-class wrestling technique. He shows some wrestling tricks for a high crotch and a sweep single leg.
You Don't Need to Learn More Wrestling Moves
It's good to know many wrestling moves and counters. However, simply learning more wrestling moves is not going to make you a more successful wrestler. To become a better and more successful wrestler you need to master good positioning and good wrestling technique. You need to become familiar with common situations and the best wrestling techniques to help you succeed in those situations. Remember that good wrestling position is a huge factor in winning wrestling matches.
"Repetition, or drilling, is one of the keys to athletic success. An athlete must work a technique repeatedly, for hours on end, week after week, year after year. The goal is for the technique to become second nature, a pure reflex action that will kick in when the need arises during a match. Time spent drilling was the key to many gold medals for top wrestlers around the world and the key to success for the world's greatest basketball players." - from Wrestling Tough by Mike Chapman
Basketball legend Michael Jordan stressed fundamentals like proper technique.
Drilling isn't always that much fun. It's not exciting. Live wrestling is usually more enjoyable. I know I liked live wrestling when I was in my high school wrestling room. Most wrestlers enjoy sparring and competition most.
Nonetheless, four-time World and two-time Olympic Champion John Smith also stressed drilling.
"But
drilling has to take place for you to get better. I couldn’t do a
better leg lace or gut wrench without breaking down the move, seeing
how it works, studying it and drilling it, over and over and over.
That’s when you improve your techniques. Someone who doesn’t
spend time doing that and drilling isn’t going to improve," according to Smith.
So, before you consider figuring out the best high school wrestling moves to use in a match you may want to first focus on drilling the basics.
Smith also incorporated shadow wrestling into his training.
Olympian Ken Chertow also recommends shadow drilling or shadow wrestling.
He states, "Shadow drilling is not just for beginners. It remained a significant part of my training regimen throughout my high school, college, and international career. It can play an important role in the success of wrestlers at any skill level."
Two-time NCAA Champion and World Silver Medalist Cary Kolat shows some shadow wrestling.
Olympian Ken Chertow has two young wrestlers demonstrate some shadow drills.
The good thing about shadow wrestling is that you don't need a workout partner.
In conclusion, drilling alone or with a partner can help take your wrestling to an advanced level.
Learning to use your legs is a valuable skill when in the top position. Most of you are familiar with the cross-body ride. But, when you "put the legs in" are you doing it correctly? Could you become a better leg rider?
"Beginning wrestlers, of any age, usually begin by trying to do too much with their arms. That was true with me. My arms got so tired they would ache with fatigue. What I needed was to learn to use the power of my legs more," writes Olympic Champion Ben Peterson.*
Ben Peterson was having trouble with his cross-body leg ride in high school until a former student and wrestler from Ben's high school stopped by to observe practice one day. This alumnus gave Ben some advice on how to improve his leg riding with an emphasis on positions of balance, control and power.
Ben states, "The emphasis on leg riding became an 'arched back'. I learned I could protect myself while forcing my opponent out of position. He taught me to sit up like a proud confident cowboy in the saddle instead of hanging over my opponent like a dead man on his horse.
Instead of hooking my foot through like a grapevine on my opponents leg, I started hooking just my heal on his thigh. Instead of hugging and hooking with my arms I pushed his head and shoulders away as I turned him. Instead of turning and looking at my opponent, I arched high and looked away."
I like the following video because you can see how she uses a "short boot" instead of a grapevine approach. She uses her other leg to splay the bottom wrestler's far leg.
I like the following video because the top wrestler demonstrates a couple of sweet wrestling moves that can be done from the cross-body ride.
The cross-body ride is just one form of leg riding. Leg riding can lead to some of the best wrestling moves for pinning if done correctly. So, work on perfecting the cross-body ride and other leg rides. It could help your wrestling a lot.
*How I Learned to Ride & Pin with Legs by Olympic Champion Ben Peterson
When I started wrestling in grade school as a fifth grader, my best friend's mom used to take us to tournaments. You see moms can have a lot to do with a wrestler's success. Those early tournaments were tough for me because I didn't know a lot of moves or good technique. But, I got used to the competitive atmosphere, sense of pride from winning matches, and the sting of losing matches. Those early experiences were important to me so I was fortunate that someone's mom was ready to drive us to those youth tournaments.
My mom had to watch me cut weight when I became a high school wrestler. She probably wasn't thrilled with what I was doing to my body and yet she knew how much I loved the sport and how much I wanted to compete successfully on the varsity team.
I cut weight for the first time when I was a sophomore. It was a horrible experience. I think my mom bought me a pin on button that read something akin to, "I'm on a diet, so don't mess with me." She drove me to one of my first weigh-ins that season and then took me out for breakfast at a local diner. I think she may have been taken aback by the amount of food I ordered. I believe my order was something along the lines of two eggs, sausage, toast, two bakery rolls, and two large glasses of orange juice. The waitress didn't bat an eye. I guess she was used to wrestlers coming in to eat after weigh -ins.
My mom had to watch me suffer some heartbreaking defeats. She saw me lose sometimes to opponent's I had the ability to beat or had even beaten before in competition. But, she always tried to be comforting and supportive. I was her son and she loved me and that's all that really mattered.
My mom understood how demanding wrestling could be. I think she even "exchanged a few words" with a basketball player's mother once and let her opinion that wrestling was a more demanding sport than basketball be known.
During my senior season I was pinned by an opponent. That hadn't happened since I was a freshman. I was a pretty good wrestler - one of the best at my school and in the conference. Well, I had to face that same opponent a week later in the conference tournament finals and I beat him. I beat him pretty soundly in fact. My claims that when she was driving to the school that morning I said, "Don't worry Mom I'll win." She knew the coaches of the other wrestler thought the match would be won by their wrestler. So, that made my winning and even happier occasion. She was glad I showed those other coaches that they shouldn't have underestimated my abilities.
My older sister claims that she was/is my biggest fan. She may be right. She used to watch me wrestle a lot and used to yell a lot to cheer me on.
Years later she would have a son who became a wrestler. She and my brother-in-law took him to tournaments even when he was a five-year-old I believe. At any rate, he started a lot younger than I did. He had some serious knee problems in high school and yet beat some tough opponents and he too became a conference champion. I saw the emotional situations she and other wrestling moms went through while watching their sons battle out on the mat.
So, thank you wrestling moms for all you have done to support wrestlers.
When I was in high school we were instructed to always do a conventional standup from the bottom position. We were advised to never stick our butts up in the air. This makes sense because most coaches preach about getting your weight back while bringing your head, chest, and back up while brining your hips under you while executing a standup. Our coach warned us that it would leave us vulnerable to a cradle if we stuck are rears in the air. That was considered really bad technique so my teammates and I never did it.
So, when I first heard of tripod standups I was skeptical. I didn't watch videos related to them and didn't give the move much credence. But, after viewing some videos and seeing it broken down I now think that the tripod may be an acceptable alternative to the traditional standup as long as you know what you're doing and are aware of the potential downside like the risk of being cradled.
The following video explains some of the potential advantages of the tripod standup.
The following video is good because the coach explains the move, the importance of hand control, and how to deal with your opponent's potential responses. At around the 12:00 minute mark he explains how to counter a cradle attempt by anticipating it and quickly doing a knee dip in conjunction with the use of good hand control.
And, here's another example of a tripod standup. The coach also advises on how to avoid being cradled and how to deal with pressure from the top man by keeping your head up and then doing a quick, short knee slide.
You need to absolutely know how to perform a conventional standup. A conventional standup is one the best high school wrestling moves.
However, if you know the risks involved with a tripod standup and drill the move a lot I believe it can also be of potential value. So, consider experimenting with the tripod standup to see if it might work for you.
When wrestling in the neutral (standing) position it is essential to be able to move your opponent to set up your attacks. Even if you don't tie up with your opponent you will have to use motion and level change to get your opponent to move.
Motion and Hand Fighting
You most often will use a combination of motion and hand fighting to move your opponent in order to set up your takedowns.
I like the following video because the coach mentions, "One of the basic skills of wrestling is back stepping." He shows how easy it can be to move an opponent around with motion and hand fighting.
Here's another example of moving an opponent around with good hand fighting. Bang Collars!!
As I mentioned earlier, you need to move your opponent even if you want to shoot from an open (no tie-up) position. In the following video, former NCAA champion and coach Lee Roy Smith discusses sets ups for takedown attacks. He talks about moving your opponent and making him react. For instance, you pull his arm and he pulls it back. You twist your opponent's shoulders and he twists them back. From an open position you can pump and fake like you're going to shoot to draw a response or reaction from your opponent. Control your opponent's response to your advantage.
Being able to move your opponent around in the neutral position is a valuable wrestling technique.
Knowing several takedowns is not enough to make you successful on the mat. You need to be able to set up those takedowns and attacks by using motion and hand fighting to move your opponent around and then acting on his responses.
