COACHES CORNER
Tenacity is key to reaching top
Most ‘aggressive and physical’ wrestlers are the ones winning World, Olympic championships
By Steve Fraser, U.S. National Greco-Roman Coach inning a World or Olympic title requires many years of dedicated training.
Winning a World or Olympic title requires an extreme attitude and mental strength that is beyond the average person’s capa- bility. It takes a mental focus that is very stubborn and relentless when it comes to succeeding and moving forward. It requires a mindset that is laser sharp at keeping focused on the prize. Yes, winning at the World level requires a lot, no doubt! But the one thing I want to discuss in this current article is the importance and benefit of becoming a physically aggressive and tenacious wrestler.
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In my many years of competing, both as an athlete and a coach in the international world of wrestling, I have noticed that the most “aggressive and physical” wrestlers are the ones win- ning the World and Olympic titles.
No longer is the day when a wrestler can wrestle a slow pace, picking and choosing when they will attack. Yes, there are always exceptions to the rule. However, as a whole, the majority of medal winners are the athletes who are wrestling with a tenacious forward attack that emulates a pit bull in the midst of a dog fight. A great example of this style is Justin Lester. Justin has two
World bronze medals to his name. Lester recently placed fifth at 66 kilos for the USA at September’s World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. He will be a contender to win an Olympic gold medal next year. Justin has a vivacious and explosive attack that is relentless when fronting off an opponent. His quick and consistent forward assault against his foe makes him an enormous offensive threat.
The fact that Justin moves his opponent backwards three, four or five feet when he attacks is a critical point. When Justin attacks, he covers a lot of mat. What I am talking about here is moving our opponents, so they are required to take many steps, forward, backward or sideways.
26 USA Wrestler
It requires learning many wrestling skills and conditioning the body to execute those skills. It requires enormous power, explosion and flexi- bility.
Just hand fighting and pummel- ing in the same place on the mat is not enough.
Steve Fraser
The idea is that we physically move our challengers around the mat forcing them to takes steps to catch up or to defend themselves.
This is where we will get our opponents tired. This is where we will destroy our adversary’s offense. This is where we will confuse and off balance our rivals. With this kind of ferocious attack, we will be assured to break our opponents will to fight. What I have found true through the years is the guy who grits his teeth and continues the relentless pressure — beyond his opponent’s pressure — will prevail.
I truly believe that the one who holds tough to the course, without relenting, will be the one who breaks the other one. This is why the skills of pummeling, movement and hand fighting are so very important in the true battle of wrestling. Just look at Cael Sanderson’s matches at the 2011 World
Team Trials in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma this past June. Sanderson was non-stop in his attack. Even when he was winning by many points you will notice that he never stopped attacking. This constant movement and attack is, in my opinion, what makes Cael Sanderson world class. He is relentless in his aggressive attack.
And you may notice that even when Cael meets a tough opponent and that rival is able to withstand Cael’s attempts, Cael eventually scores because most opponents can’t keep up with his unyielding pace.
Here are a few ways to improve and/or develop more of an intense physical attacking style:
• When you drill, practice moving your drill partner around the mat more. Make them take steps when we are setting up our moves. Look to off balance them when drilling. • Force yourselves to push and pull more rigorously and with more movement. Again, make our opponent step more. • Do more pummel matches where the intent and goal is to break your opponent’s will to fight. Make them quit wrestling or want to stop for a break. And when they stop, stay on them like a buzz saw!
• Practice pushing your practice partner out of bounds deliber-
ately. Take time in practice where the main objective is to push each other out of bounds.
• Practice — sprint type, non-stop, chain wrestling, back to back moves — in a continued sequence until completely exhausted. And then build on that to be able to sprint longer. • Condition your body with movement, pummeling and hand fighting skills in mind.
Expect to win with relentless intensity!
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