Wrestlers' Corner: Peak Wrestling for the Homestretch

The most important part of the season is fast approaching. In the very near future, we will be wrestling our qualifiers and state tournaments. How do you prepare to give your best performance?

First - do the right things. Get plenty of sleep. Eat the right foods and drink the right drinks - meaning, get the right mix of protein and carbs, lower fat content - avoid sweets and other empty calories. Also avoid caffeine and high sugar drinks, such as colas. At all costs, avoid skipping meals, meaning - keep your weight under control! Don't balloon up on weekends so you have to crash down during the week. That kind of pattern wears down your body, and your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to illness and injury. Next - wash hands. It may seem simple enough, but washing hands is one of the most important things you can do to prevent illness. Finally - take showers after you work out. And I'm not referring to going home and showering sometime that night - take your shower in your locker room, after practice, Before you go home. One of the best ways to prevent skin infections is to shower immediately following a workout.

As for the wrestling aspect of things - Do the extra things. Run extra to increase your wind capacity. Go to the wrestling clubs for extra training. Remember, ordinary wrestlers work out during practice every day. Extraordinary wrestlers go the extra mile. Technically - as I mentioned last month, you have to focus on your short offense and short defense, and shot finishes. Also get into scramble situations and wrestle out of them. Do it safely, have the 'tap rule' if someone gets into a potentially dangerous position, but winning at the highest level is going to involve being able to win the scrambles. Focus on some key scrambles and get into those positions a lot. One of those positions is the crackdown position, or sit-and-scoot. Be sure you have your offense down when a guy sits, and work it over and over again.