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Discussion Topic: Wrestling is a game that I like to win
Rex Holman added to this discussion on April 28, 2023

I don't know if Cael has said anything more telling or profound.

When you look at wrestling as a game, it takes the power and hold over you away.

That is freedom, which is lost on most coaches.

Most coaches and consequently wrestlers become slaves to their training.

Being a slave to your training is self-defeating and an end to itself. That's dumb. Been there, done that.



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Discussion Topic: Wrestling is a game that I like to win
Luke Moore added to this discussion on April 28, 2023

So Rex, how does one do that? How do you make the sport, and training, more of a game than a grind?



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Discussion Topic: Wrestling is a game that I like to win
Jeff Streu added to this discussion on April 28, 2023

Quote from Luke Moore's post:

"So Rex, how does one do that? How do you make the sport, and training, more of a game than a grind?"



I know you asked for Rex's response and not mine, but my thought is that if you simply love what you're doing then it doesn't feel like work. Dave Schultz once said something along the lines of: "People always ask me: haven't you had to sacrifice a lot? But to me it's not really sacrifice. I'm not wrestling for any reason other than I want to wrestle."

My other idea is to just simply wrestle like a kid would wrestle. Not in terms of technique of course, but in the sense that you're just out there constantly trying to win the "game." Wrestling at its purest is fun for kids, but it stops becoming fun for kids when they cut weight or are forced into it by a parent or coach.

I have two sons and people are always asking me when I'm going to sign them up for wrestling, and my response to them is that I'm not in any hurry, as my goal is for them to see how much I love the "game" and then maybe they'll want to do it too. We have mats in our basement so we play around and have fun. I bring them to practice occasionally and they play around there too. I usually bring them to at least one big dual each year just for entertainment (and they usually get a small treat at the concession stand). And last but not least, when Flo has big events streaming we watch it like it's the Super Bowl (my youngest is right beside me as I type this while watching the US Open).



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Discussion Topic: Wrestling is a game that I like to win
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on April 28, 2023

Quote from Luke Moore's post:

"So Rex, how does one do that? How do you make the sport, and training, more of a game than a grind?"



Cael never talks or acts like wrestling is "life or death." No loss is ever "tragic". No win is ever "heroic". W's and L's never ever define you in that room.

Along this thinking from a World Champ and NBA MVP / All-Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOMlq8AucOQ



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Discussion Topic: Wrestling is a game that I like to win
Rex Holman added to this discussion on April 29, 2023

Luke-
I really looking forward to writing about it when I have the time.

In the meantime,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEeFsU2SD2Y

You can also label it as tinkering and getting back to the lab, problem solving, etc.

The way to get better at a game is to work on the positions and technique that make up the game that allow you to gain advantage and score.

Cael has the advantage of getting the blue chip recruits. But even so, his guys always take the mat with a substantial set of skills that give them an advantage or have them prepared to win.

Actions need to be end driven to improve position and score. If you aren't doing that, you're just fighting to maintain.



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Discussion Topic: Wrestling is a game that I like to win
Roe Fox added to this discussion on April 29, 2023

Quote from Brady Hiatt's post:

"

Quote from Luke Moore's post:

"So Rex, how does one do that? How do you make the sport, and training, more of a game than a grind?"



Cael never talks or acts like wrestling is "life or death." No loss is ever "tragic". No win is ever "heroic". W's and L's never ever define you in that room.

Along this thinking from a World Champ and NBA MVP / All-Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOMlq8AucOQ"



That was impressive. I’ve always liked the Greek Freak.



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Discussion Topic: Wrestling is a game that I like to win
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on April 29, 2023

Quote from Roe Fox's post:

"

Quote from Brady Hiatt's post:

"

Quote from Luke Moore's post:

"So Rex, how does one do that? How do you make the sport, and training, more of a game than a grind?"



Cael never talks or acts like wrestling is "life or death." No loss is ever "tragic". No win is ever "heroic". W's and L's never ever define you in that room.

Along this thinking from a World Champ and NBA MVP / All-Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOMlq8AucOQ"



That was impressive. I’ve always liked the Greek Freak."



Such a refreshing response. He's right. You do your best and hope its good enough. Sometimes it's not.



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Discussion Topic: Wrestling is a game that I like to win
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on April 30, 2023

A little fun with Cael & Casey

https://twitter.com/nlwcfan/status/1652664161619386372?s=46&t=5jj15bRI0tq9cwO0v9XVIw



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Discussion Topic: Wrestling is a game that I like to win
Rex Holman added to this discussion on April 30, 2023

Brady-

Thanks for posting the Giannis interview. Respect to him.



Petulant, inflammatory questions that go nowhere. Check.



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Discussion Topic: Wrestling is a game that I like to win
Rex Holman added to this discussion on September 20, 2023

Also, when you play/experiment with positions over and over, you develop keen insight and maybe technical skills slightly different than the norm which allows for a competitive edge.

Your opponent doesn't know quite how to address the position. Because there is ambiguity on how to proceed.

The guy who is going to win is the one with more skill in the position and better reactions.

Tazhudinov is expert at an overtie and hit two leg attack variations that I'd never seen before. (although one was similar to a Mitch Clark attack from an underhook) I'm fairly certain that neither did his opponents. Or rather, no one had attacked the same way in competition.

This exact same dynamic is what made Mitch Clark so difficult to wrestle. Same thing with Funky Ben. Willing and able to wrestle positions that are unconventional and different while putting their own spin on it.



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