Why Football Players Should Wrestle

It's "Northern Week" on the football field and only 11 days until wrestling season begins.  We saw this story and thought we would share the information.  Thanks for reading our blog and best wishes to the Rams this Friday night against the Huskies.

It's been said many times, "Football players should wrestle and visa versa"

Wrestling improves agility, speed and strength

Could it be that many football players are "missing the boat" off-season.  To make a point, I'd like you to consider the following true story of many, many years ago. 



A wrestler learns to tackle better.

There was a football coach from a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania who was anxious about keeping some of his players in condition during the winter months.  Of course, his ends and backfield personnel were participating in basketball, but what about the offensive and defensive linemen?  Then an idea struck him like a sledgehammer--"Why not start a wrestling program for the bigger and, often less agile players!" Well, he did and his wrestling teams became so good that they had to compete with college freshmen. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, his powerful football units of the past are still the subject of conversation amongst his local townspeople. 

What does wrestling have to offer an aspiring football candidate?   Primarily, it teaches him "self-reliance"--the ability to make things happen without expecting help from others. 

As with football, success in wrestling takes a group effort

A pigskin participant learns (via the mat sport) that although there are 10 of his peers on the field with him, he must perform his duties at all times. and not lean on his teammates for support when fatigued.

And that's not all.  In the wrestling room, he improves his agility, coordination, quickness, upper body strength, and stamina--to name just a few benefits.  So, if you have a son who's a tackle or guard and he's spending most of the snow season on his duff, suggest wrestling.  He'll be a much better football player.

 

"Ten Good Reasons for Football Players to Wrestle."

1. Agility--The ability of one to change the position of his body efficiently and easily.
2. Quickness--The ability to make a series of movements in a very short period of time.
3. Balance--The maintenance of body equilibrium through muscular control.
4. Flexibility--The ability to make a wide range of muscular movements.
5. Coordination--The ability to put together a combination of movements in a flowing rhythm.
6. Endurance--The development of muscular and cardiovascular-respiratory stamina.
7. Muscular Power (explosiveness)--The ability to use strength and speed simultaneously.
8. Aggressiveness--The willingness to keep on trying or pushing your adversary at all times.
9. Discipline--The desire to make the sacrifices necessary to become a better athlete and person.
10. A Winning Attitude--The inner knowledge that you will do your best - win or lose.

Wrestling and Football builds winners on the field, on the mat and in life.

Special thanks to Brandy Guy for allowing us to "borrow" this story (that she borrowed herself) and to Alex Flanigan for providing the amazing photos.