kdsmith27 14 Report post Posted June 25, 2007 The Value of Off-Season Wrestling Note: This article explains what off-season wrestling programs are like, what benefit they can provide to a wrestler, and how they can easily fit into a busy calendar of activities. Introduction Each spring numerous off-season wrestling programs are formed at clubs throughout the US. These clubs are primarily freestyle oriented, but occasionally a spring club will maintain a traditional folkstyle program. Beginning around March, and often extending through early summer, the clubs are intended to offer wrestlers a chance to practice or compete in a much less intense and also more weight relaxed environment. Wrestling is not an easy sport, and there are few natural winners. Paying your dues with sweat and some disappointments are to be expected. Like any other sport, success requires a commitment from both the athlete, and, in the case of younger wrestlers, plenty of active support from their parents. No rides to practice or competitions, no money for shoes, dues, or entry fees, and parental pressure to devote 100% to a different spring sport (such as baseball or track) will guarantee failure. Personal commitment is also a must. A wrestler must realize that it will be very difficult to achieve his competitive goals if he isn't willing to make the personal sacrifices required, including committing himself to his wrestling objectives. Wrestlers must ask themselves first if they want wrestling to be one of their best sports (or maybe their primary sport). If their answer is yes, and if they are committed, then they probably have the necessary determination to maximize their potential for success. What is Spring Wrestling? There are five wrestling styles practiced in the United States. Folkstyle is the traditional US style practiced in schools and universities. Of the five styles, Judo, Sombo, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman are competed internationally. Judo, the oriental style of wrestling, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman are also Olympic sports. While Judo is a year around sport and Sombo is primarily a spring, summer, and early fall sport, Freestyle and Greco-Roman are historically spring sports. Since Freestyle is similar to Folkstyle, its techniques and rules can be easily learned in a short time. Also, since it not a recognized High School sport, HS eligibility rules for competitions, and coaching are usually not a problem in most states. With plenty of local and national competitions, coaches, work-out partners, and practice sites available; it is the most popular spring style in the US. In order to be accommodating to other spring sports, Freestyle activities are often very flexible. Clubs generally arrange non- mandatory practices two or three evenings a week, often late enough so as not to conflict with baseball or soccer. Work-outs are not oriented towards conditioning or weight loss, but towards mat work and live wrestling. This format allows the wrestler to get plenty of work into the 1 1/2 to 2 hour sessions a practice usually lasts. For spring competitions, club teams have no need for full roosters. Fun scrimmages are just "get togethers 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
