As we wind down the short training phase leading towards the Oceania Games, there are a few noteworthy lessons to be taken away from it. The first is that there is no better way to get in shape than to do lots and lots of sparring. That is, don't save the sparring training till later in the training phase. Introduce sparring early on but keep it flowing and light. The heavy match practice can come later once the athlete is in decent competitive shape.
The second is that the peaking phase is extremely important. I was amazed at how the athletes could perfectly execute techniques in practice, but fail to seize the opportunity to use them while sparring. The peaking phase involves visualisation, timing and reflex training. It is quite easy to see how a week's worth of "peaking" training trims away so much wasted movement and hesitatation. I've incorporated a lot of mental drills for this Oceania training plan and it is having a tremendous effect. Having great technical execution was simply not good enough. I could see that transitioning from one move to another was the area where a lot of time was wasted *thinking* about what move to go to next. Mental training, flow drills and developing a good strategy had a great effect towards solving this. However, "peaking" is also the phase that requires the greatest coaching resource. While it is relatively easy to drill a large class on basic techniques and making them spar, every wrestler has individual problems which must be solved by developing mental drills etc which are suitable for that individual.
The Fremantle Wrestling Club is located at the Fremantle Police and Citizens Youth Centre. The club's mission is to provide all members with a safe training environment and professionally conducted coaching to develop their wrestling skills. The club aims to support members in achieving their personal goals in the sport of wrestling; From wrestling for fun and fitness to competing with the best wrestlers in the country.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Today we discussed the importance of getting everyone in the class to consolidate the basic moves that we spent so long learning last year. I stressed that learning a single leg attack, a central penetration attack and the snapdown-go-behind attack.
Since these techniques are pretty familiar to everyone in the class, it is important to drill them at a fast pace and high intensity. This allows the move to be done as though it was in a real wrestling match. If a mistake is made, then the timing will be out and the move will not "flow" nicely. These drills are also great for fitness. We will continue to drill these moves often in class. Practice makes perfect....especially when it is for these important basic techniques.
New techniques should be drilled at a slower pace to learn the subtle details. We also did those sorts of drills today. Once the moves can be done smoothly, then the pace of the drills should be increased.
Since these techniques are pretty familiar to everyone in the class, it is important to drill them at a fast pace and high intensity. This allows the move to be done as though it was in a real wrestling match. If a mistake is made, then the timing will be out and the move will not "flow" nicely. These drills are also great for fitness. We will continue to drill these moves often in class. Practice makes perfect....especially when it is for these important basic techniques.
New techniques should be drilled at a slower pace to learn the subtle details. We also did those sorts of drills today. Once the moves can be done smoothly, then the pace of the drills should be increased.