You put your singlet on. You walk on the wrestling mat. The pressure comes down at you as you walk into the wrestling mat. You walk into the inner circle and set your foot down on the line across your opponent. Your heart beats faster with every moment passing by. You shake the Ref’s hand then your opponent’s hand. This is the match of your life, your first match or your last match, it’s all the same. If you don’t know what is happening that’s alright. This is a match from the hardest sport in the world.Wrestling.Wrestling will change your life, like how it has changed my life. This hand-to-hand combat sport will teach you accountability, gratitude, grit, integrity, and excellence.Wrestling will teach you to be accountable in your work and training.The results will show.Wrestling will teach you to have gratitude to have these opportunities in this sport. Wrestling will teach you to have grit, so that you will never stop going when there are obstacles in your way. Wrestling will teach you integrity, so that when your coaches look away that you don’t slack off but work harder. Wrestling will teach you excellence and will make you stand out from others both mentally and physically. Soon you will run into challenges with a smile on your face.Now that I have told you what wrestling can do for you I will teach you the basics of wrestling. First there is no punching, kicking, biting, scratching or choking.Second if you are or know anyone under 10 years old then their wrestling period is 3 one minute periods.But if you are 14 to 11 years old you have 3 one and a half minute periods. If you are in high school your 3 periods are two minutes. Third, you will need specific gear. This includes a singlet which is a sleeveless, one piece, form fitting stretch.You will also need headgear which is protection for your ears from cauliflower. You will need specific shoes called wrestling shoes. These shoes have specific grip for wrestling mats, they are also very flexible, and are lightweight. Another gear you could have if you would like are kneepads. These kneepads protect you from mat burn and protect your joints from impact. The kneepad is optional but will help you in wrestling. You can find these wrestling gear at Dick’s sporting goods or online. Some places that would be good to buy these gear online are Adidas, Asics, and Rudis. Now onto the most important part of Wrestling.The points. There are multiple ways to gain points in wrestling and automatic wins. First a takedown, this is 3 points and there are 2 really basic but very helpful moves.The first is called a double leg. If you decide to do this sport, this will likely be the first move you learn. The second move is called a high C and this will be the second move you will likely learn if you decide to do wrestling. The second way to get points is to get an escape. This will give you 1 point. You will learn a stand-up and is the first move on the bottom position. The next way to get points is a reversal.This gives you 2 points.You will learn this move later in wrestling but it is useful to already know about. The last way to gain points in wrestling is called nearfall (back points).If you hold them down for 2 seconds then you will get 2 points, hold them down for 3 seconds then you will get 3 points, hold them down for 4 seconds then you will get 4 points. If you have your opponent on their back with both of their shoulder blades on the mat and if the Ref strikes the mat hard then you win by Pin or fall(it depends on who it is). If you have 15 more points then your opponent then you have won by technical fall or a tech. Both of these ways to win are automatic wins. The wrestling season usually starts in Mid November usually and doesn’t end until Late March. There are multiple places to go when looking for wrestling. You can go to your high school and ask if they have wrestling. If they don’t then you can go to a place called Beat the streets Chicago, where wrestling changed my life. If that is too far then you can go to 321 wrestling club, suplex wrestling, or wolf pack. These other wrestling clubs will also change your life as well.Beat The Streets will teach you accountability, gratitude, grit, integrity, and excellence the most. That’s how I learned about them all. This is wrestling. I really hope to have some more people in the wrestling room.This is why you should join wrestling.
Luciano Reyes – St. Patrick High School – DMSF Class of 2030
Photo Credit: Nicholas Piccillo – Adobe Stock