Advice on learning wrestling as an adult - Coach Firas Zahabi

[@teamgitusome]

as we get older we must train smarter. shout out to coach zahabi

[@DaggerSecurity]

Thorne K Training smarter is appropriate for any age.

[@thepinksuitguy9975]

coach zahabi looks like a depressed bastard.

[@Rabid_Wolverine]

@@thepinksuitguy9975 lol xD

[@worldwideconspiracies7772]

I have been thinking about this for a while! Grade 8 provincial champ in wrestling and parents moved where I couldn't wrestle anymore so I began track in high school and became provincial champ in shot put, 100m, long jump and set 4by200 provincial record with relay team. Wrestling was the one sport I wish I continued because I never got to see how good I really was. I was struck in the head with a baseball at 19 and was in a coma for three days with titanium plates installed in my skull and dropped everything after that. I'm 31 now and trying to get the courage to wrestle again. I have followed the ufc from when GSP came onto the scene and are builds are very close so I always cheered for him. You are a fantastic coach and have taught me many things over the years spiritually, mentally, and physically.🇨🇦

[@Wenutz]

Get on the mat bro and stay strong!

[@AmarmeetMann]

Best of luck man

[@seanieboyfx]

Get on the mat ASAP the longer you leave it the longer you regret you started earlier!

[@daniel213141]

I don't know if that's what you should be doing if you have titanium plate in your head in my opinion.

[@nooneatall5612]

3 videos on 3 consecutive days? What a day to be alive.

[@t.r3400]

You do know these videos are old, right? Smart idea that he decided to trim the videos, though.

[@charlestopson9966]

Agreed coach. Coming from a muay thai background, I started wrestling when I was 27. 3rd class in, broke my thumb and had to sit out of martial arts for 4 months. Still cant close my fist completely at age 30. Gotta take it easy at first, especially when you dont know to move and react as a wrestler.

[@xjsvg8054]

One of my biggest regrets being older now and in my 20s was not taking wrestling in high school. My wrestling friends said I had a knack for it too and said I should try out but I just simply didn’t care for sports back in school. Now I’m 23 doing MMA and no gi grappling and am still seeing myself resort to a lot wrestling techniques and seeing how natural it clicks to me. Thankfully the gym I go to the coach puts an emphasis on takedowns and defense instead of pure grappling and am lucky to have a few fellow students who wrestled but it sucks that there aren’t really any options for wrestling in my area besides going to uni college to wrestle, which is still slim as a walk in, If only I did it in HS to see how much better I could have been.

[@anarchic_ramblings]

Everyone says wrestling is the most important skill in MMA, yet even Evolve MMA only has two sessions a week at their flagship location. I really want to learn wrestling from a serious coach. There's so much more to it than head-diving for doubles and singles. I'm frustrated as heck.

[@thegreatboppilini9006]

The issue I feel is that wrestling takes an intense amount of dedication that adults just don't have time for during a work week so it's all aimed at kids but even then I got the shit end of the stick cause no school I ever went to supported a wrestling program. Everybody decided they liked touching balls more I guess.

[@kobe51]

Truth, avoid the guys that think their little gym roll is for a 1st place medal at Abu Dhabi.

[@codyg6514]

What I'm wondering, is where I can go to learn wrestling as an adult. There are plenty of BJJ gyms out there, but I've never seen a wrestling gym before. I never wrestled in high school, and I'm not in college, so where do I go to learn wrestling?

[@aliqatishat3790]

your best bet is probably an MMA gym

[@HB448]

Watch a lot technique Look up some local clubs find someone whose okay but not too green so u can work ur fundamentals and build

[@user-nq4hw5eb9d]

Yeah I’m wondering the same

[@zedek_]

As others have said, an MMA gym might be your best bet. However, the other option _if you are lucky_ is to find a *Catch Wrestling* gym nearby. Snakepit USA is legit, but I can't speak about the lineage of other places. Alternatively, perhaps Judo or Sambo.

[@Philip-dy3ww]

Private lessons 🎉

[@TakedownBreakdown]

Good job with that statement in the beginning. It helps the KZbin algorithm for ranking your video.

[@garydose129]

Coach, love these shorter videos. The long videos are good as well, but for Q&A style, this was incredibly clear and concise.

[@tonytaf107]

I started wrestling last years in June 2023 at 37 years old. I had a small grappling background and good conditionning. I was doing well in term of conditionning but a bad landing sent me to an acromio clavicular surgery late November 2023. I was trying too hard and the sessions were too I tense and little rest for beginners. I came back to wrestling 3 weeks ago. I moved town for work and the new gym is more based on basics and shorter wrestling sparrings.

[@MidNite.Garage]

I did wrestling in highschool from Freshman through Junior and loved it and I want to get back into it but I don't know where to start since I'm out of school

[@TakedownBreakdown]

Great advice. I watched your other video about why you should train takedowns, and I convinced one of my coaches to always let us start standing when sparring. Of course my takedowns suck because even as a purple belt it has never been my focus. I ended up tearing my mcl. This was months ago. I am just now starting to spar softly in bjj. I wish I could go back in time and just practice techniques for 6 months like you are saying now. At least I learned my lesson. Just wanted to say that I think you are on point with your advice

[@mburns4551]

Such valuable information omg!!! I started later in life and this will help you to NOT get hurt!!!

[@meowmeowone8479]

Jomma Mobarak folks. Hah, you sir couldn't have said this better. Not that I train in anything but even just wrestling with my kid brother takes its toll on me ancient knees and bad lower back and the kid goes ham everytime. I don't even go for take down, I usually just control the head and stay on the defensive.

[@jebhilly9472]

Much love & appreciate your knowledge 💯

[@karringjavelfofaan]

Can you make one for MMABoxing/MMA StandUp brother?

[@baumkrone9934]

Jazakallahu khairan from Germany

[@coolsvilleowner]

Man, what he said about not ever wrassling with total beginners is so damn true. This guy came into our gym with zero experiencein anything and we were wrasslin' and I took him down a bunch of times and then I decided to start by giving him my back (as thats what the loser had to do in when going live in this particular wrasslin' positional spar)...well that was a mistake because next thing I knew I felt an elbow crashing into my jaw and was in hospital right after training and had to eat soft foods for the next 6 weeks...=/ I havent seen that guy since.

[@matthewb2415]

Thank you for this advice as feeling pressure to learn wrestling technique to take on the bigger guys but I know to take it easy

[@sour_lemon_00]

I have never seen a wrestling gym in 20+ years. I would love to join a class.

[@heymanhaha]

Me too. Any luck?

[@williampeete2473]

Tried to pick up wrestling again as an adult it was weird. Went to a MMA gym, that has BJJ, Mma and wrestling classes on the weekly schedule. MMA class all good lot of 20 somethings, went to a Wrestling session, and it was like 9 high school kids and Me a 230lb 26 year old who hasn't stepped on a mat since college who just wanted to add a fun cardio activity to his fitness regimen. If i was in shape i'd just ask to train against the instructor but i know i'm not on par with my 197 prime. Now i'm just helping out the new kids get their drills down and a half effort class.

[@deekay7594]

wise advice firas.. definitely know what your talking about.. some good precautions and guidelines for ANYBODY's training..

[@tokorojj]

I wish I could hear you back in 2013, when I torned my ACL and meniscus while wrestling with another newbie to the sport like I was. My knee has never been the same.

[@jayluis189]

Thanks for the tips Firas and Great information as always!! It'd be my dream to train at Tri- Star one day ( as a lot of other teenagers and young adults chasing this way of living ). But I have a question. Outside of High schools and middle schools, where do they teach wrestling? I am 22 years old and going to start training n practicing Mixed Martial Arts. But, I've never wrestled before, BUT I KNOW that wrestling is the Best base to start out with when it comes to Mixed Martial Arts - and I would LOVE to learn the ground and I want to dominate my opponents on the ground using Wrestling ( Greco Roman, Freestyle, Sambo, etc. ), but I don't know where Wrestling is taught outside of school. I would Love to learn the techniques, holds, rules, whatever - and I'm more of a Muscle Endurance type of guy rather than a cardio/strength/flexibility type of person. BJJ is great and all, but when trying to transfer it into MMA, I feel it is too Defensive- and I want to be an Offensive Grappler and wrestling is best for that ( I'm not pulling guard in an MMA contest lol ). I want to Mix up my striking and grappling well - like Frankie Edgar, Cain Velasquez, or Jon Jones. Like, I want to break the other guy down, and make him quit. Buuut I've never done ANY grappling.. Can you give me some advice? Thank you for reading this

[@veandreyahuda5333]

Did you ever find anything for wrestling?

[@georgemartyn5268]

@@veandreyahuda5333 legend has it he's still wandering the earth looking for an adult wrestling gym to this day

[@georgemartyn5268]

@bash12 better defend it from the hordes of bjj troglodytes

[@bplay1847]

Can you please make a video on what setups/techniques in wrestling are important for mma, you mentioned it in one of the previous podcasts but I lost the note i wrote it on.

[@helsharidy123]

This is what I needed, thanks!

[@b4dmaash]

Guys im 60, I just started wrestling.

[@ahshitherewegoagain.5861]

Damn really? Thats crazy i wanna start in my 30s i never went to any schools that had a wrestling team.

[@thecurmudgeon7350]

I started training wrestling and judo at 40 after 15 years of capoeira and gymnastics. It's never too late to learn IMO.

[@730prime5]

Wow this is really solid advice thank you

[@bplay1847]

thank you so much coach i really needed this video

[@AllenSuvorov]

Very valuable advice!

[@alexnkeller]

Thanks, coach!

[@MobiusCoin]

Is this the same advice for boxing and Muay Thai? Because before I got into jits, I did Muay Thai for like 1 year before I started sparring and all my technique went out the window. I kept trying but I never got good at sparring. In contrast, they allowed me to start rolling after 5 or so classes. I got crushed obviously but I started to figure it out much faster than I did in Muay Thai.

[@donovanjones4175]

MobiusCoin I think it is the same, I have sparred with beginners who try to prove themselves and I just keep moving away, jab, pivot etc. Listen to what he said, work with someone who is better than you but level headed. They can correct your technique, and you can learn by how he counters. Practice at a slower pace, introduce flow sparring later. It will come, and just like Firaz says, listen to your body, and remember that it is a journey.

[@donovanjones4175]

Also, drill the technique in the spar , it is a mental thing. It sounds like your nature to wrestle, other things take time.

[@shun2240]

I was sparring in may Thai in just 4 months of training and now my technique is miles better than a few months ago

[@MakeYouFeelBetterNow]

Personally I think light sparring is important for any martial art. But like Zahabi says, 4-6 months of practice first is best, especially if you are not conditioned. I find the conditioning part is probably most important... especially for adults.

[@3forty3]

Thank you Firas.

[@3forty3]

Where is the reply from o2xb?

[@WJstudios04]

Freestyle Wrestling

[@Ofirleibeltrading]

Firas this question is not related to this video but I had an opportunity to fight in bellator on two weeks notice as my mma debut (against a bjj black belt that I have better striking then him) I’m after 3 years of service in the army which means I only trains 3 times a week for the maximum time on the past 3 years at the beginning I said yes to the fight but then I got hesitated because the lack of training and the ring rust of 3 years of no competitions I don’t know if I made the right decision what is your take on that Btw I’m planning in the next couple of months train in tristar

[@johns5969]

ofir leibel Go for it. How many opportunities like this will you get? They offered you the fight for a reason! Get in there and let that striking go. Would you want to look back I ten years, know you had a shot and didn’t take it? Hell no!

[@Ofirleibeltrading]

John S someone already it but I will at least try to get it somehow I feel the regret although I believe in myself I will be a top 5 guy someday no matter if I get that fight or not I feel it burning in me

[@hasanagic96]

No reason to go if u dont feel like it. Someone from the outside will say yeee go for it obviously. But if its themselves u know they will be probably shitting their pants;p especially since ur inexperienced. If u don't feel ready for it yet just don't, means u know where u stand, and then take the normal road and build yourself up and if ur worth it u will get there anyway when u really feel ready.

[@devez7]

Coach Zahabi I would like to ask something about boxing and hand position. Some trainers advise you to have your wrists a little bent, not straight, when forming your guard. I don't know why they advise that. Is it safe? What's your thought on that. Really appreciate the content on your channel!

[@kipallen8793]

Combat Submission Wrestling Is Perfect for Adults They Usually Drill More Than Anything Very Little Live!!

[@waqarqarshi]

What about if early 20's?

[@cesarsanchez1212]

That is an adult isn't it? Even guys that train as teenager get fucked up backs dude. Be careful out there

[@zplitterz]

thanks great advice.

[@AnimeCultist15]

I started wrestling at 22 and a half, I’m 23 now, and my coach was a Canadian wrestler and puts a HUGE emphasis on technique, when I was just pedal to the metal, I was hurting myself here and there, I focus on wrestling technique so that when we finally go live, I have an understanding of the movements, and while we drill, coach stops us in our tracks to make sure the technique is where it needs to be, and I’ve seen improvements in my wrestling but also mma game, I’ve always been athletic and was a sporty guy growing up, and I’m happy with wrestling the most, just seem to pick it up and familiarise myself with the flow of things

[@harrishafeez9604]

How are u doing know bro. I’m 19 and I want to learn wrestling to supplement my BJJ game and will be my MMA base

[@AnimeCultist15]

@@harrishafeez9604 just go for it and don’t think too much brother , if you want it badly enough nothing will stop u

[@salimattal2864]

​@@harrishafeez9604go gym its better for your health

[@brolicscholars360motivation]

Good advise akhi!

[@neillhughes8439]

How can you improve your endurance for wrestling rounds as a veteran?

[@austiny6539]

Idk why so many bjj gyms don’t teach wrestling if your students don’t at least have a fundamental understanding of wrestling your doing a great disservice to them

[@desmondburton1773]

I'm at a club where we just practice the techniques but we don't do like the basics. Like footwork hand fighting etc any advice?

[@MOTIVATIONEXTREME]

thanks Firas

[@Mbq-sh6bj]

1:38 "... he doesn't know how to dance". So basically what you're saying is beginners in wrestling are like Elaine Benis when she dances. But seriously, this is great advice. I don't know if it applies to BJJ but if it did, I'd save myself from injuries & physiotherapy bills. But I might be hard pressed to find any BJJ school that would have students or teachers who would tolerate going easy / not rolling with me. Then again, I've never asked...

[@gideonamare160]

firas please do some wrestling drills with me if i visit tri star, even though i'm a beginner i swear i'm not a spazz!

[@criticalbill2090]

Completely agree with this 100%. Ive been training wrestling/BJJ/grappling for many years now and people honestly have n idea how much of a toll it takes on ur body, especially when you roll with novices that go completely gung-ho on ur ass and do silly things like poke u in the eye, clash heads with you and many other things uve mentioned because they lack technique and control. One of the reasons I like to take a time out and train kickboxing for a week or two is because it loosens my body back up. It`s better to train smart , than hard

[@salimattal2864]

Bodybuilding is better

[@TheShiatsuKitty]

Great video. I’ve practiced CQC (not Krav Maga lol) for years which obviously is striking oriented and I’ve always had an admiration for wrestlers that translates to a healthy fear about tangling with one. But if I’m going to truly round out my self defense arsenal, I’ve got to learn to standup grapple and at least keep the fight off the ground. That said, wrestlers are a different breed - tough and fearless - and, as I move my way through my 30s having deal with various injuries - I’m resistant to competing, getting thrown and would prefer to learn technique for disengagement. I’ve had wrestlers tell me I’ve got good “body intelligence” that made me difficult for them to take down, but there are some real badasses out there who would slam me if they got ahold of me, and with the ubiquity of MMA gyms etc, there are a lot of antagonists out there with at least some wrestling proficiency.

[@ahmadq215]

What if you dont have wrestling gyms in your city and no group to practice with? Whats your advice for that?

[@DexterHaven]

Good advice. I know a guy who rolled with a guy who was good but mean. The guy twerked his neck and he had to go to the hospital for a few days to get it fixed.He said, I'm never sparring that guy again, a friend of his.

[@neverforget7545]

So true... it's always the beginners that fuck u up bad hahahahahaha

[@synesthetically]

It feels almost impossible to find an adult-centered wrestling class. The one the I found in my area only meets once per week (youth are throughout the week) and it's at a time that I can't make due to work.

[@antoniovasquez5587]

Talk to your local college coaches they might let you train with the wrestlers there

[@synesthetically]

@@antoniovasquez5587 Good idea, thanks! I have no idea if they'd have the patience for a beginner, but it's worth a shot.

[@ether6136]

​@@synestheticallydid it work?

[@elliottjames671]

Any advice on adulting coach?

[@jamesbunda806]

lol

[@imranchoate]

Assalaamu Alaikum Coach. So I'm 45 in Ramadhan ...well August Gregorian. I'm a former Shotokan open kumite kid, that went the JKD route and tried to use what works etc. Eventually became a Bullshido Exposer and of course did Gracie Jiu jitsu for a few years. Well because of Fedor i became enamored with Sambo. Then my cousin from Canada introduced me to GSP and I'm like this guy is an amazing wrestler! So The Dagistani invasion happened just when i went to Hajj and i met the Balkan brothers and of course we can't spar there aahaha so we kept in touch. I'm so very tempted to join a Sambo school because Trinidad & Tobago finally made it to the Olympics. The Mind is willing but the Body Hurts coach....I'll take your advice and learn the techniques but the application is tough without training partners.

[@talhaaqueel7682]

Hey how's it going coming from a 30+ guy thinking of joining a bunch of youngsters in wrestling class

[@imranchoate]

@@talhaaqueel7682 not good... i cannot keep up. Joints hurt and my back is compressed. I tried but no one beats father time!

[@justcallmejoe2811]

I'm 21 in decent shape im gonna do my first wrestling session ever this friday wish me luck lol

[@AntonioMontana_7.5]

where?

[@justcallmejoe2811]

@@AntonioMontana_7.5 Algeria

[@bobbys1308]

How is it going?

[@justcallmejoe2811]

@@bobbys1308 bruh we stopped because of the corona lollllll but now that gyms have re opened imma do kickboxing because the wrestling gym still isn't fully open yet 😭

[@salimattal2864]

​@@justcallmejoe2811Salam khouya

[@ibaryabaq9197]

Good word g

[@JamesB-kz2vk]

Thanks

[@jayant54singh]

Age 27, can I start to wrestle?

[@JukemDrawles87]

Jayant Singh join an mma gym, I’m 24 and just getting into the thick of it, just find a good mma gym in your area and read the reviews online

[@jayant54singh]

@@JukemDrawles87 sure thank you.

[@Shikami85]

Firas, so I guess is the same for learning Judo as an adult ?

[@Soow77]

Im 21 yo boxing base i want to start ground sport wether i should start with bjj or wrestling ?

[@errolflynn610]

Sofiane wrestling if you’re looking to get into mma. After you get a good wrestling base you expand to bjj submissions

[@MakeYouFeelBetterNow]

Both, but I think wrestling is a better base. Keep in mind that training in MMA is different than all 3.

[@Soow77]

Yeah true but should i start either one of this two in order to train MMA ? because i don't have any ground experience, i guess u guys are right with wrestling maybe its a stronger base idk

[@1Christophermitchell]

Sofiane wrestling is the key man, been wrestling since I was 14, and in my bjj classes it translates very well. I still get subbed and humbled ofc but wrestling translates to bjj for the most part. I’d start with wrestling basics then move to bjj.

[@Soow77]

@@1Christophermitchell Ok sound's logic yeah i wish i made this choice when i was a teenager too

[@1234abcd12344]

I never liked wrestling as a kid, didn't see the point of holding a guy down just to pin him... too much contact and effort on something that's not an actual fight. Now as an adult I realize the importance of controlling someone in a fight and dictating where the fight goes.

[@user-nq4hw5eb9d]

Yeah that’s the same boat I’m in. My neighbor was really into wrestling and I used to train with him and his father, but when it came to joining the team I didn’t want to. After that, I never kept up with their training and I’m regretting it now as I’m older.

[@sidharthpalakkode5509]

I see a Child disliked what he had to say.

[@MrReav13]

A child who learned wrestling... as a child.

[@shafichowdhury3160]

I’m 18 does this apply to me?

[@MakeYouFeelBetterNow]

You're 18, it doesn't, but it's good advice in general.

[@MakeYouFeelBetterNow]

@Stephen T Yeah, I do wrestling, judo, BJJ, and MMA now and I'm 47 ... but I did more than 6 months of functional training to make it there, train 5-6 days a week (mostly conditioning), especially at the start. And I know when to have light and heavy days. All of these principles apply at every age however, I've seen people injured at all ages, especially in the 20s, where they go too hard, even in the conditioning classes, in the first 2 months.

[@Fatihkilic075]

Wrestled (BJJ) with a white belt (white belt myself) got hit in the face with a knee, elbow injured due to harsh arm bar. It is not a good start to entering a sport, I can tell you.

[@Barisdagame]

Im looking to train i already know how to wrestle

[@iyanabellamy3170]

This saved me

[@MakeYouFeelBetterNow]

If I shoot and someone knees me in the face, part of the fault rests with me, I didn't keep my hands in front.

[@ffnovice7]

But what if i spent a whole year going live as my introduction into wrestling?

[@tylerelrod5451]

Where can we learn as an adult?

[@spiscold50]

MMA Gym or wrestling club

[@shreyaaspatil]

i wish my school taught wrestling :(

[@Lockersss]

Good luck

[@lloydchristmas4547]

Thanks coach. I still suck.

[@sergiov4481]

But seriously. HoW do fighters on the highest stage in the UFC keep getting taken down by wrestlers.Dont they train timing knees like you mentioned or punches

[@hasanagic96]

Some times its gonna work. But elite wrestlers r something scary man. They r gonna get a hold of u 1 way or another

[@ppvplug3940]

Sergio V people also train to take you down, comes down to whos better at their craft.

[@matawie]

Because these wrestlers have great timing in general, but sometimes fail in their atempt, ben askren for example.

[@lajudith2]

👏🏻👏🏻

[@huseyinguler3969]

İm 33 years old . Can i learn how to wrestling?

[@savedbyhismercyandlove]

I'm 47 and want to learn

[@lowlowseesee]

i wrestle at 10th planet so i dont worry about anything hhaha, its a great school. similar minds as this guy

[@leglocksdontwork4243]

Most injured I got is from sparring with those white belt bodybuilder Typ of guy trying to crush you with all there strength and zero Technik and than they are exaused after 3 minutes 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@conjugatemethod]

Leglocks Don‘t work - me too complete rupture of my left ACL and meniscus tear.

[@shubhampandey2653]

is 20 too late

[@tomjakes-eo9nr]

nah

[@foukiki]

Been there Done That ... I try to wrestle with a friend of mine Recently.. then I panic And I Poke is eye like DAWM ! #TrueStory

[@hankdapper8239]

Learn the dance? Go sell some biscuits

[@WhyTheHorseface]

Never really thought about it, but “Learning wrestling as an adult” just sounds ridiculous. Learn how to do taxes as an adult.

[@jayluis189]

Stfu 🖕

[@WhyTheHorseface]

@@jayluis189 AH-HA-HA-HA!!!

[@codyg6514]

You'd probably change your mind real quick if you got into a street fight and ended up on the ground with some dude on top of you..You'd wish that you had some wrestling experience then.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

@@codyg6514 someone who is only learning as an adult stands zero chance against someone who wrestled since childhood. better to take krav maga than wrestling classes as an adult. an adult getting attacked isn't point fighting. it is not a game.

[@codyg6514]

​@@WhyTheHorseface The same could be said about any martial art, including Krav Maga. Someone who has practiced it since they were a child will almost always beat someone who started as an adult...That really has nothing to do with the point I was making...Oh, and I'd definitely prefer some experience in Wrestling rather than Krav Maga if I ended up in the previous situation I described, Krav Maga's ground game isn't nearly as comprehensive as that of wrestling.