Chapter 1

Introduction

SELECTION OF THE MATERIAL

This course is designed to provide the student with the experience, skills, and understanding necessary for effective participation in wrestling, so far
as it is possible to do in 30 lessons. The material for this course has been selected on the basis of the following factors:

These factors also provide the criteria for the arrangement of the material into a teaching progression, which has been extremely effective in accelerating the training of students to become competent performers.

THE CHARACTERISTICS, NEEDS, AND INTERESTS OF THE STUDENTS

At the beginning of each wrestling season, it is assumed that all the students, including the more advanced wrestlers, need the experience of checking through the basic techniques, as presented in this book. After the experienced wrestlers check out, they can then assist as instructors.

The lessons are set up in a progression that emphasizes the development of balance, maneuverability, competent reaction, and confidence. The advanced wrestler as well as the beginner must strive continually to improve these basic qualities, which are essential for effective wrestling.

The physical development and condition of the average student is adequate for participation in the work outlined in this course. There is need, however, for further strengthening of the neck muscles and for increasing the flexibility of the trunk, thorax, and shoulder girdle. These developments are emphasized from the very beginning of the course.

Students who have competence and experience in other sports can usually maintain a fast pace in the learning progression of this course. Care must be taken, however, not to discourage the skilled performers from other sports by placing them in competitive situations that may embarrass them. Since most wrestlers have an opportunity to teach others, they need a knowledge of methods as well as curriculum content and performing ability in wrestling. In addition they need to have an appreciation of the contribution wrestling makes to the growth and development of the individual.

THE COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objectives for the course arise from the characteristics, needs, and interests of all wrestlers who are training to develop effective skills and teach the sport.

There are two main objectives, with supplementary objectives listed under each, as follows:

1. To develop personal competence for effective participation in wrestling, which includes:
1. Knowledge of techniques, rules, and strategy of wrestling.
2. Neuromuscular skill for effective maneuverability, including agility, speed, balance, and flexibility to perform a variety of wrestling maneuvers.
3. Endurance, strength, and vigor to compete in the class work and the competition.
4. Appreciation of wrestling as a wholesome developmental and continuing activity for all ages, sizes, and body types of boys and men, including the handicapped.
5. Appreciation of wrestling as an effective means of self-defense in unarmed combat.
6. Appreciation of wrestling as contributing to qualities of personal and social behavior, which include self-expression, self-reliance, confidence, initiative, self-discipline, determination, perseverance, courage, regard for rules, and courtesy.
2. To develop professional competencies for effective teaching and administration of amateur wrestling, which includes:
1. Skill in explaining and demonstrating the wrestling techniques.
2. Skill in recording matches and in refereeing.
3. Knowledge of rules, terminology, and strategy.
4. Knowledge and performing ability in all the activities of the course.
5. Knowledge of the principles involved in wrestling.
6. A conviction that wrestling is a very important activity in providing for the growth and development of young men.

THE PREVENTION OF INJURIES

Accidents in wrestling can be prevented by beginning the instruction with the wrestlers on the mat, instead of on their feet, and by teaching some of the blocking and countering maneuvers first. The early class periods are devoted primarily to maneuvers and activities that provide instruction and practice in rolling, falling, blocking, and recovering on the mat. The work progresses from pinning situations and the referee's position on the mat to the neutral position on the knees, to the rear standing position, and finally to the neutral standing position.

Drills to strengthen the neck and develop flexibility in the trunk and thorax are also introduced early in the course to prevent injuries to these parts. The blocks for the nelsons along with the escapes from the half nelson and reverse nelson pins are used for this purpose. As the students develop competence in executing these maneuvers, the resistance can be increased, thereby requiring a greater force on the part of both wrestlers in completing the movement. Such physical requirements as neck strength, trunk flexibility, over-all body strength, endurance, balance, leverage, and maneuverability are all developed by this practice. Whenever possible, the wrestling maneuvers instead of calisthenics are used in this manner to provide for the physical development as well as the development of the effective skills in competitive matches.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOUND AND FAVORABLE ATTITUDE

Good mental condition as well as good physical condition is essential for effective performance in wrestling. The development of a favorable attitude toward the sport is dependent on gradual development of proficiency and prevention of embarrassing situations that result from a lack of skill and knowledge. Confidence is gained through progressive step-by-step learning. Insofar as possible, the introduction of each new maneuver is practiced until the student becomes proficient in the execution of it.

Competition involving the acquired skills is intended to motivate the students. Frequent scrimmages in maintaining and releasing the various holds, and in blocking and countering the maneuvers, provide experiences that interest the skilled wrestler as well as the beginner. Furthermore these scrimmages provide a meaningful experience in understanding the contribution that wrestling makes to the development of over-all body strength, physical fitness, and personal defense tactics. These outcomes are emphasized throughout the course, to induce a favorable attitude toward wrestling by creating a personal desire for maximum growth, development, and efficiency in the sport.

THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETENCE

Owing to the limited time provided for the course, the rapid development of competence is an important concern in arranging the teaching progression. Consideration has been given in the preceding discussion to factors that provide for efficiency in learning. A curriculum based on the characteristics, needs, interests, and objectives of the students is designed to accomplish the most effective learning in the least amount of time.

In addition to the qualities outlined in the preceding text, there are other basic physical capabilities such as balance, speed, leverage, and precision of movement, which need to be stressed early in the program in order to accelerate the development of competent wrestling performance. The warm-up activities and the preliminary maneuvers provide for the development of these basic physical requisites and they are emphasized throughout the course.

Another factor that contributes to the rapid development of competence is the arrangement of the holds and maneuvers into sequences for their presentations. A sequence is a chain of maneuvers that includes the set-up or preliminary action and follows through to a pinning hold in most cases. This arrangement prepares the student for the actual situation he is likely to encounter in a wrestling match.

Frequent scrimmages and contests against time are also factors in speeding up the learning process.

SUMMARY

By using the criteria of needs, objectives, safety, interests, and competence as bases, a teaching progression of wrestling maneuvers has been developed. There are numberless holds, maneuvers, counter-maneuvers, and blocks that contribute to effective wrestling. But the drills and sequences that are given in this book have been found through experience to be the most effective in relation to the time available and the criteria set forth for this curriculum.

The next chapters of this book explain and illustrate in detail the prescribed maneuvers arranged in the teaching progression, commencing with the warm-up activities. Following this there is a summary, which provides a list of the holds and maneuvers classified according to their function as a takedown, breakdown, ride, escape, reversal or pin. Chapter 6 of this book contains an outline of the content for each of the 30 lessons of the course. Samples of some of the materials for the course are reproduced in the Appendix.

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