Practised a new technique in class today. This was a ground move where the top person uses a Chicken Wing (or arm bar) hold to wrap the opponent up and wind their arm around their back. When done correctly with lots of pressure, this move is very difficult to counter. The trick is to get a tight chicken wing hold on the opponent's near arm (on the same side as your body). Walk around to the other side of their body while pulling tightly on the arm. This will force your opponent to turn over. Once you have them in the danger position, grab their chin with your other hand and secure the hold or try for the pin.
Other than that, we did lots of sparring too. We did some situational sparring from the whizzer position. But everyone seemed pretty tired and flat. We have been working pretty hard and maybe we need a short break to refresh ourselves on Friday. So I think Friday will be more of a troubleshooting session where everyone can try to work on their technique.
Daniel and I recorded one of our sparring rounds. We're on youtube! Check it out.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
After the X-Cup tournament of the previous week, we now resume training for the school age nationals. The focus is certainly on sparring now. In the last couple of Fridays, we have spent a lot of time doing full sparring and situational sparring practice.
Today we started off by drilling the front headlock sprawl to go-behinds. Two methods were explored. The first was to use the headlock to crunch the opponent down and drive with the legs behind the opponent. Grab the opponent's hip or ankle to complete the go-behind. The second was to use the headlock to set up movement towards one side, but then using your opponent's momentum to shuck their head to the other side and go behind. This second method works when the opponent defends the first method. Then we did situational sparring where one person started off in a sprawl on top of the opponent.
Today we started off by drilling the front headlock sprawl to go-behinds. Two methods were explored. The first was to use the headlock to crunch the opponent down and drive with the legs behind the opponent. Grab the opponent's hip or ankle to complete the go-behind. The second was to use the headlock to set up movement towards one side, but then using your opponent's momentum to shuck their head to the other side and go behind. This second method works when the opponent defends the first method. Then we did situational sparring where one person started off in a sprawl on top of the opponent.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Congratulations to all the competitors at the X-Cup last weekend. It was great to see everyone focussed and wrestling positively using the techniques they had learnt over the last few months. As a coach, I was busy busy busy, working with the wrestlers to warm them up and to go over match strategy. It was great fun and a good learning experience for me too!
Technically, I took a lot of notes on each of the individual wrestlers. This information will be very useful over the next couple of months as we train towards the school-age nationals. In general, I thought the areas we need to work on as a group are: 1) Ground Defence, 2) Choosing the right setup for the takedown and 3) Sprawling.
Technically, I took a lot of notes on each of the individual wrestlers. This information will be very useful over the next couple of months as we train towards the school-age nationals. In general, I thought the areas we need to work on as a group are: 1) Ground Defence, 2) Choosing the right setup for the takedown and 3) Sprawling.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
X-CUP Results 2008
The X-Cup was held at Fremantle PCYC. There was a good turnout from the Freo, Claremont and Gosnells clubs which set things up for an exciting day of wrestling.
Fremantle was well represented by our school-age team, our kids and our women's duo (Emma and Rhea). Congratulations to Kieran and Sean on their first wrestling tournament. Kieran wrestled well in all his matches and showed great potential. Lucy had a tough exhibition match against Hayden, but lost out to his size and strength despite wrestling well. Hayden then went on to wrestle 3 more tough matches and gaining great experience in the process.
Daniel Mitchell and Daniel Carrigg both were in good form, indicating that their preparations for the school-age tournament are on track. Mitchell had a match against Shahab and was beaten by his opponent's strong tie-ups and double legs. Despite the loss, Mitchell fought hard and was proactive in trying to take Shahab down. Mike Wood had a mixed day, winning his first match but then getting pinned by Carrigg in a quick scramble. Nonetheless, his techniques were looking sharp and, with the right training, should continue to improve at a fast pace.
Emma and Rhea wrestled each other, as they have done in many competitions in the past. Rhea went for an early takedown and looked promising, but once on the ground lost out in the scramble and got pinned by a beautiful headlock throw by Emma.
The youngsters, Andrew, Kai, Nick and Sean, put on a good show. They wrestled in great spirit and entertained the crowd at the same time too.
Fremantle was well represented by our school-age team, our kids and our women's duo (Emma and Rhea). Congratulations to Kieran and Sean on their first wrestling tournament. Kieran wrestled well in all his matches and showed great potential. Lucy had a tough exhibition match against Hayden, but lost out to his size and strength despite wrestling well. Hayden then went on to wrestle 3 more tough matches and gaining great experience in the process.
Daniel Mitchell and Daniel Carrigg both were in good form, indicating that their preparations for the school-age tournament are on track. Mitchell had a match against Shahab and was beaten by his opponent's strong tie-ups and double legs. Despite the loss, Mitchell fought hard and was proactive in trying to take Shahab down. Mike Wood had a mixed day, winning his first match but then getting pinned by Carrigg in a quick scramble. Nonetheless, his techniques were looking sharp and, with the right training, should continue to improve at a fast pace.
Emma and Rhea wrestled each other, as they have done in many competitions in the past. Rhea went for an early takedown and looked promising, but once on the ground lost out in the scramble and got pinned by a beautiful headlock throw by Emma.
The youngsters, Andrew, Kai, Nick and Sean, put on a good show. They wrestled in great spirit and entertained the crowd at the same time too.
X-CUP Results 2008
The X-Cup was held at Fremantle PCYC. There was a good turnout from the Freo, Claremont and Gosnells clubs which set things up for an exciting day of wrestling.
Fremantle was well represented by our school-age team, our kids and our women's duo (Emma and Rhea). Congratulations to Kieran and Sean on their first wrestling tournament. Kieran wrestled well in all his matches and showed great potential. Lucy had a tough exhibition match against Hayden, but lost out to his size and strength despite wrestling well. Hayden then went on to wrestle 3 more tough matches and gaining great experience in the process.
Daniel Mitchell and Daniel Carrigg both were in good form, indicating that their preparations for the school-age tournament are on track. Mitchell had a match against Shahab and was beaten by his opponent's strong tie-ups and double legs. Despite the loss, Mitchell fought hard and was proactive in trying to take Shahab down. Mike Wood had a mixed day, winning his first match but then getting pinned by Carrigg in a quick scramble. Nonetheless, his techniques were looking sharp and, with the right training, should continue to improve at a fast pace.
Emma and Rhea wrestled each other, as they have done in many competitions in the past. Rhea went for an early takedown and looked promising, but once on the ground lost out in the scramble and got pinned by a beautiful headlock throw by Emma.
The youngsters, Andrew, Kai, Nick and Sean, put on a good show. They wrestled in great spirit and entertained the crowd at the same time too.
Fremantle was well represented by our school-age team, our kids and our women's duo (Emma and Rhea). Congratulations to Kieran and Sean on their first wrestling tournament. Kieran wrestled well in all his matches and showed great potential. Lucy had a tough exhibition match against Hayden, but lost out to his size and strength despite wrestling well. Hayden then went on to wrestle 3 more tough matches and gaining great experience in the process.
Daniel Mitchell and Daniel Carrigg both were in good form, indicating that their preparations for the school-age tournament are on track. Mitchell had a match against Shahab and was beaten by his opponent's strong tie-ups and double legs. Despite the loss, Mitchell fought hard and was proactive in trying to take Shahab down. Mike Wood had a mixed day, winning his first match but then getting pinned by Carrigg in a quick scramble. Nonetheless, his techniques were looking sharp and, with the right training, should continue to improve at a fast pace.
Emma and Rhea wrestled each other, as they have done in many competitions in the past. Rhea went for an early takedown and looked promising, but once on the ground lost out in the scramble and got pinned by a beautiful headlock throw by Emma.
The youngsters, Andrew, Kai, Nick and Sean, put on a good show. They wrestled in great spirit and entertained the crowd at the same time too.
Friday, August 8, 2008
We were tapering for the X-Cup this week. As part of the peaking exercises, we did a lot of speedy sparring drills. Each round was for only 45 seconds with an emphasis of speed and aggression.
Also worked hard to learn a comprehensive defensive sprawl. We worked both the side-sprawl to the whizzer, and the front sprawl to the headlock. The important thing with the whizzer was to control their head, scoot sideways, face in the same direction as your opponent and throw them forward with your overhook, thus preventing them from circling behind you for the takedown.
The important thing with the front sprawl was to get both legs back quickly so your hips are flat on the ground. Push yourself backwards away from your opponent. If you manage to get the headlock, keep the pressure on them by driving with your legs and squeeze with your shoulder.
Also worked hard to learn a comprehensive defensive sprawl. We worked both the side-sprawl to the whizzer, and the front sprawl to the headlock. The important thing with the whizzer was to control their head, scoot sideways, face in the same direction as your opponent and throw them forward with your overhook, thus preventing them from circling behind you for the takedown.
The important thing with the front sprawl was to get both legs back quickly so your hips are flat on the ground. Push yourself backwards away from your opponent. If you manage to get the headlock, keep the pressure on them by driving with your legs and squeeze with your shoulder.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Practised our top two "favourite takedowns" today. This was a good time to consolidate what we've learnt and start applying it to everyday wrestling. The reason I asked for 2 types of takedowns was so that we could use one to set up the other. Make your opponent defend one of the takedowns and switch to the other if you can't get the first one.
Of course, we should know more than just 2 techniques. The theme, however, is the same. No matter how many techniques you know, it is always about using the setups for one technique to open up possibilities for another technique. This concept of giving yourself options against your opponent really shows how important it is to link setups with takedowns. It is the setup that gives you options. For example, a 2-on-1 armlock can be used to setup a single leg, but if the opponent fights it, you can push the arm away and shoot a double leg. Similarly, an inside tie (your hand on the inside controlling opponent's bicep) can be used to setup a duckunder, or pulled across to setup a sweep single to the opposite side.
We continued with practising sprawls and overhooks/whizzers. If your opponent is trying to go around behind you while you sprawl, use the whizzer to extend him forward and block his attempts to get behind. If your opponent hangs on and tries to drive straight through your sprawl, use the whizzer to pull your opponent up, get your hips in close to his and whip toss them to the mat for a pin.
Finally, I was very happy with the sparring today. I really think everyone in the class is getting the concept of push-pull-lateral movement. We've learnt several good setups, but we need to use them together continuously. Don't just hang onto one setup if it is not working. Pull the head with a snap, or push it to get an angle. Drag the arm and move laterally to create opportunities to attack. This is what the push-pull concept is all about. Use all the setups we've learnt to continuously off balance your opponent so you can attack.
As for myself, I got to wrestle with everyone today. I've also started to notice a few problems with some of my own techniques. My gut wrench is getting a bit sloppy and I'm not driving enough with my feet to gain leverage for the turn. Same with my ankle lace. I need to get off my knees and apply more pressure on my opponent's back. I've been watching this video to try and help solve my technique problems with the ankle lace.
Of course, we should know more than just 2 techniques. The theme, however, is the same. No matter how many techniques you know, it is always about using the setups for one technique to open up possibilities for another technique. This concept of giving yourself options against your opponent really shows how important it is to link setups with takedowns. It is the setup that gives you options. For example, a 2-on-1 armlock can be used to setup a single leg, but if the opponent fights it, you can push the arm away and shoot a double leg. Similarly, an inside tie (your hand on the inside controlling opponent's bicep) can be used to setup a duckunder, or pulled across to setup a sweep single to the opposite side.
We continued with practising sprawls and overhooks/whizzers. If your opponent is trying to go around behind you while you sprawl, use the whizzer to extend him forward and block his attempts to get behind. If your opponent hangs on and tries to drive straight through your sprawl, use the whizzer to pull your opponent up, get your hips in close to his and whip toss them to the mat for a pin.
Finally, I was very happy with the sparring today. I really think everyone in the class is getting the concept of push-pull-lateral movement. We've learnt several good setups, but we need to use them together continuously. Don't just hang onto one setup if it is not working. Pull the head with a snap, or push it to get an angle. Drag the arm and move laterally to create opportunities to attack. This is what the push-pull concept is all about. Use all the setups we've learnt to continuously off balance your opponent so you can attack.
As for myself, I got to wrestle with everyone today. I've also started to notice a few problems with some of my own techniques. My gut wrench is getting a bit sloppy and I'm not driving enough with my feet to gain leverage for the turn. Same with my ankle lace. I need to get off my knees and apply more pressure on my opponent's back. I've been watching this video to try and help solve my technique problems with the ankle lace.
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