ASK KOLAT: Transitioning To The Next Level of Wrestling

[@LeeSurber]

Talk about the gift that keeps on giving..!! A 5yr old video in 2024 that will be relevant for a 1000yrs. or more..!! Cary, you are a walking encyclopedia of competitive wrestling knowledge..!! The only other wrestling series I could recommend that even comes close to what you represent are the old Gene Mills videos..!! Gene was an animal, but in my honest opinion your technical library is unsurpassed..!! You are the MASTER of deceptive transitioning..!! Thank you for being so relevant..!!

[@JS45678]

I love Cary’s feelings on youth wrestling. I have seen too many kids plunged in too early with no fundamentals and, aside from burning out quickly, the ones who last generally develop such poor technique and habits that, by high school, it becomes almost impossible to fix. My nephew just turned 9, started wrestling just 7 weeks ago. I’ve worked with him only on stance (head/hands/feet), sprawl, kill opponent’s head, spin around, finish under both opponent arms. I could care less about wins or losses at this point but with these most basic fundamentals alone and no offense at all, he goes out and wins 8 of first 10 matches against kids with 1-2 years of experience (and horrible habits on “shooting” as everybody from coaches to vicarious parents scream to do, right. “Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!” Fundamentals be damned, just keep diving away. My nephew is going to have tremendous defense and fundamentals BEFORE he ever gets into offense. If he stays with wrestling long term as I did, he will have the solid fundamentals mastered which will save him during those extremely difficult transitional years Cary speaks of. I know bc I went through them long ago and fundamentals must be unbelievably solid or you will simply fall off the grid. Great episode as always Cary! 👍

[@cjserpone787]

What is best at the high school during the summer? Doing camps and clinics or just doing other sports and just lifting?

[@Ozzix]

How do I get into freestyle?