Having existed for thousands of years, wrestling is without a doubt one of the oldest sports in history. In fact, it was a part of the inaugural Olympics, along with track and field. Wrestling is one of the hardest sports to play because it requires a combination of physical strength, speed, technique, and a certain amount of mental toughness to succeed at the highest level. The U.S. Olympic Committee even recognized this in 2012 when they ranked wrestling fifth among the other 60 most difficult sports. So what about wrestling is so difficult?
Let’s take a look at some of the factors that make wrestling a reality.
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Why Wrestling is the Hardest Sport?
Some people might say that wrestling is not really a “sport,” but rather an event or form of martial arts. Wrestling, on the other hand, is often argued to require more mental toughness than any other physical activity.
For instance, wrestlers have to train their minds as well as their bodies to be successful. This is just one of the many factors that I believe contribute to wrestlers’ success in MMA.
That being said, here are the key factors that make wrestling one of the hardest sports:
Strength and Conditioning
They say “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” When it comes to wrestling, this proverb could not be more accurate. Football players can train their bodies to be able to do one or two basic things for their specific position. Wrestlers, however, do not have the luxury to be so one-dimensional. Technique by itself won’t help you win this game, as was previously mentioned. In addition to having explosive speed and power, elite wrestlers must maintain their physical and mental stamina. A balanced combination of each of these qualities, as well as a level of mental toughness that can elevate your preparation and performance, are necessary for success, especially at the highest levels of this sport.
A Beating from Opponents
Wrestlers are subject to punishment from their opponents, who may throw them to the ground or force them to assume a pinning position. They also have to endure being in holds that are meant to immobilize and cause pain and discomfort. These may sometimes result in severe injuries.
Another factor is that wrestler can only compete in one match at a time until it is over; they do not have any bench replacements.
A Hard Wrestling Culture
Simply put, wrestling originates from a tough guys’ culture. Folkstyle and freestyle wrestling are the two most popular forms of sport in the country. English catch wrestling had a significant impact on both of these subgenres.
Originally used by English blue-collar workers, catch wrestling is a brutal form of submission wrestling. These wrestlers were as tough as they came, and some of their matches left their opponents with grave wounds. Although these more recent trends are undoubtedly less extreme, the culture still values tough guys.
However, in wrestling, as in life, the victor is not always determined by talent or skill. Instead, the winner is typically determined by who is able to persevere longer and overcome challenges like exhaustion and injury.
Cutting Weight
Cutting weight is probably the one thing most people refer to when explaining why wrestling is as challenging as it is. Wrestlers must consider their weight while working hard to stay in top physical condition. Prior to a competition, wrestlers frequently have to lose a significant amount of weight, which can be demanding. Maintaining arduous strength and fitness levels while avoiding putting on excessive mass demonstrates a rare combination of both mental and physical fortitude that is uncommon in most other sports. And because wrestlers never really have an “off-season” their weight-watching never ends.
Skills
The use of the technique in wrestling can be controversial. A minor accident can completely derail your routine and significantly lower your score in a sport like gymnastics. The ability to recover from a mistake exists in wrestling, though. On the other hand, the wrestling technique is so distinct that even though you can recover from a mistake in footing or weight distribution, it can still result in a pin that ends the match. Technique alone won’t get you through a match in wrestling. No matter how skilled you are on the mat, if your opponent can outmuscle you physically, it won’t matter how technical you are. Therefore, while it’s important to devote time to focusing on perfecting your craft and growing your skill, there are other areas to that one must devote time.
How to Train Wrestling at Home?
Since most people don’t have a mat at home, wrestling is unusual in that you practice and compete on one. However, what do you do if you want to improve your wrestling skills but are at home without a mat or even a training partner? Well, even at home by yourself, you can train and improve. Here are six at-home wrestling drills that you can perform alone or with a partner.
Standups
You can practice both an inside-leg stand-up and an outside-leg stand-up when working on stand-ups by yourself. Pay close attention to your bocking hands as you prepare to seize hand control. Make sure your hips are underneath you and that your back is being pressed. You can mimic peeling hands off you and turning and facing your opponent ending in a good stance. You can hit it on the right or left side, imagining various outcomes that might occur on the mat as you do so. Taking the referee’s position next to a wall is an additional variation you can try. Hit your stand-up after that, and use the wall to force yourself back in.
Stance and Motion
It’s simple to practice your wrestling stance and motion at home. The longer you stay in your stance overall, the simpler it will be to keep a solid stance even when you are worn out during a match.
To practice stance and motion, all you need to do is locate a free area. Be sure to switch up your lead legs, you can lower your level, imagine you are blocking a shot, or even face a wall and pretend your shadow is your opponent. Make sure you are staying light on your feet and circling. You shouldn’t slide your knees across the carpet because you won’t be on a wrestling mat, but you can practice high-level singles, doubles, and duck under. Get some rubber training bands and use them as resistance while you are motioning in your stance to take it to the next level.
Drop Steps
Another easy move to practice is the footwork of a drop step or sometimes called a back step which is used in many different types of throws. Practice on both sides and pay close attention to sticking your butt all the way out when you’re finished. If you’re not familiar with a drop step, watch this video where Henry Cejudo performs a hip toss while using a drop step.
Conclusion: Brave is Necessary
Although wrestling is a challenging sport, anyone can excel at it with the right preparation and mental toughness. In most cases, elite wrestlers will train for hours on end in a gym or weight room until they are physically and mentally ready for competition. Gaining muscle mass or losing weight requires time due to wrestling’s emphasis on physical fitness. But if you are willing to put in the work, there is nothing stopping you from achieving your ultimate goal.
FAQS
How to Avoid Common Injuries in Wrestling
Follow these easy guidelines: Get plenty of sleep each night, not just to avoid injuries but also for your overall health and wellness. Protect yourself from concussions by wearing headgear during practice sessions and games. Do some light cardio, stretches, and neck rolls to warm up before working out.
Why Wrestlers Are So Strong?
Resistance training and muscles are especially important for wrestlers because many wrestling moves start from the hips. Strength is also required in the biceps, forearms, mid-back, and upper back muscles, which are used in pulling motions.