RAPID WRESTLING

RAPID WRESTLING is an innovative format for youth wrestling that is fun, educational, and fast-paced. 

In a nutshell, individual or teams compete in various situations and contests. Some of these are fun, while others are common situations/positions that wrestlers find themselves (stuck on knees after a shot, cradle locked up, etc.).

If wrestlers win the situation, they earn points for their themselves or teams. Contests are usually short and move very quickly. 

See the accompanying video for the 10 contests that comprised the February 2018 Rapid Wrestling Showdown:

1. Attack Bandz 
2. Sudden Victory 
3. Sumo BFF 
4. Bad Shot
5. Bad Shot II 
6. Scramble! 
7. Two Against One 
8. Two Against One II 
9. Escape from Alcatraz 
10. Escape from Alcatraz II

COACHING TIPS

1. Attack Bandz are great for learning to keep low in a stance and to protect the feet/legs. They also help develop body awareness, especially once the action gets going. When attacking, think about low singles, ankle picks, go behinds, etc. or just shooting while being mindful of your own ankles. More advanced kids may try to intentionally create scrambles.

2. You've got 30 seconds to score or you won't win. No time to look at each other, dance around, or lock up in a collar tie. Attack! Attack! Attack!

3. We basically start in an over/under tie position. So bear hugs, leg trips, various throws, footsweeps, etc. are all possibilities. Younger wrestlers need to learn how to defend in this position.

4/5. Everyone is on their knees holding onto a leg at some point. Wrestlers must know how to finish with head on inside or outside. Defenders need to prevent the takedown, or better yet, turn the shot into a score for themselves.

6. You often hear commentators say scrambles are about who gets their head higher (don't forget about hips). This is a fun one---and the slower, less aware wrestler usually ends up in trouble :-)

7/8. Top wrestler can do a tilt, work cross-wrist series to a Clemson Roll, turk, bundle, etc., or simply try to break down opponent and go from there. Bottom person must know how to break grip, maintain base, and eventually escape/reverse.

9/10. Everyone's been here. Minimal time to escape. What is your explosive move? Standup, sitout, knee slide....maybe a roll? Top person, same deal. What is your go-to, short ride to preserve your victory? 

FEBRUARY 2018: RAPID WRESTLING SITUATIONS

VIDEO: OVERVIEW OF RAPID WRESTLING

VIDEO: HIGHLIGHTS FROM FEB 2018 TOURNEY

Our first Rapid Wrestling tournament was held in early 2015--here are the champions! Over the years, we've experimented with different formats.

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