Being a wrestler is not taught during your first match; it is taught during practices that are long, hard, and can even make you puke. These tough practices push wrestlers to their limits and help them grow mentally and physically. At Hamilton Southeastern, boys wrestling practices Monday through Friday, unless they have a meet on Wednesday. This schedule keeps the team consistent and ready for competition.
The practices are not long, but even though they are short, they get a lot of work done. Coaches plan each practice carefully so that no time is wasted. Wrestlers are expected to stay focused and work hard the entire time they are in the room.
“Wrestling on the weekdays allows us to keep our weight management and maintain our lung capacity,” said Coach Brobst. Practicing often helps wrestlers stay in shape and avoid falling behind during the season.
Since they practice almost all of the weekdays, they focus on many things and get great practice. What they focus on is positioning and stances, and also staying in your stance so you can score and defend. These skills are important because they help wrestlers control their opponent. What makes a good practice is how hard the wrestlers work and the times when everyone on the team is locked in and pushing each other.
Coach Brobst said, “After working on positions and stances, we work on handfighting and moving our opponent to open up angles.” The more advanced the wrestler, the more they will work on. As wrestlers improve, they are expected to learn more difficult techniques and details.
What many people don’t realize about wrestling practice is that it is fast paced and there are not many breaks from action, but they are only in there for 90 minutes to two hours. Fast and hard, and then go home. This style of practice helps keep the body fresh for competition while still building strength and endurance.
Discipline is a key concept for all wrestlers. Wrestlers must have discipline in their diet to maintain weight. Cardio discipline is needed to stay in shape. Discipline in drinking water helps them perform better. Discipline in their stance helps them win matches. Every practice, wrestlers must show discipline, and they are expected to carry it outside of practice as well.
Coach Brobst said, “Accountability is taught because if you don’t put in the time and effort during the practice sessions, it is going to be revealed in your matches. There’s nobody out there to help you, and the other guy literally has to go through you in order to accomplish his goal.”
In the end, wrestling practice teaches more than just wrestling skills. It builds discipline, accountability, and toughness that wrestlers can use in competition, school, and everyday life.
