survival guide for the neophyte wrestler

[funakoshika]

Hey guys, in lieu of training BJJ (which I just haven't been able to find in my area) I've stumbled upon a really excellent opportunity. The university wrestling team allows people with no prior experience to train with them, which is great with one minor exception, they are, for the mos part, collegiate class wrestlers with years of experience, and I'm, well, an uncoordinated fat-***. Since I'm too stupid to just quit, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for diet, weight training, or aerobic workouts, that could help facilitate my progress, at least to the point where I don't come home and expunge my dinner after every practice.
(I apologize if my precursory search missed threads covering these topics, and, as always, thanks in advance.)

[AndrewSimonsen]

I would recommend a balanced diet since you won't be needing to cut weight, and for cardio what I did for high school wrestling was run for a lap sprint a half lap (we did this for a few miles). I don't really know much about weight training, but a well thought out program could only do good. Jason would certainly know more.

[funakoshika]

Here's some tips I've garnered so far:

1) Cardio is of the outmost importance, particularly for the heavyweights. Strength is more or less equally important from what I can see, but you have to have the endurance.
2) For the beginner, learn to sprawl. The longer you stay off the mat the better your chances of not losing a significant amount of points, particularly if you're not in the best shape.
3) If you're over 210 and are not experienced, DO NOT TRY TO SHOOT! Learned that the hard way tonight :).

Thanks Andrew for your advice, i'm gonna to try that for a cardio workout this weekend, along with some swimming.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Jeff Burger]

Since I'm too stupid to just quit

I thought that was a give in for all MAist.:laugh:

[Jonathan Randall]

Here's some tips I've garnered so far:

1) Cardio is of the outmost importance, particularly for the heavyweights. Strength is more or less equally important from what I can see, but you have to have the endurance.
2) For the beginner, learn to sprawl. The longer you stay off the mat the better your chances of not losing a significant amount of points, particularly if you're not in the best shape.
3) If you're over 210 and are not experienced, DO NOT TRY TO SHOOT! Learned that the hard way tonight :).

Thanks Andrew for your advice, i'm gonna to try that for a cardio workout this weekend, along with some swimming.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like you're learning quickly. :wink2:


BTW, I bet your progress is going to be very accelerated by going up against your betters on a consistent basis. Later when you meet another novice, it will seem like he or she is grappling in slow-motion compared to what you're used to.