Wrestling, man’s oldest and most challenging sport, can trace its history back 5,000 years. Inscriptions on the walls of the tombs at Beni Hasan, Egypt, show maneuvers that are the same as those practiced in any wrestling room today.
This article describes the Seven Basic Skills as outlined by USA Wrestling’s National Instructional Staff.
As a member of the USA Wrestling National Coaching Staff, I had the privilege of introducing the Seven Basic Skills at the USA Wrestling National Developmental Camps, Clinics, and at training camps for team members.
With these skills as a foundation, a well conditioned and mentally prepared athlete can attain the level of CHAMPION. They will help the wrestler reach his/her full potential. In all athletic endeavors, mastery and application of these fundamentals will produce competitive excellence.
The Seven Basic Skills include:
Position
Motion
Changing Levels
Penetration
Lifting
Back Step
Back Arch
These Basic Skills provide sound bio-mechanical skills needed to obtain competence and proficiency at all levels of wrestling. As a coach it is essential that you learn the fundamentals of these skills and develop a proficient communication that will enable you to train your wrestlers daily using a consistent vocabulary that expresses these basic skills. You must coach your athletes in such a consistent manner that they will understand when you are telling them that they need to improve their position they will know what you mean. If you are telling them that they need to change their level or create motion during a match they will understand clearly what you are telling them to do. By adopting such a fundamental vocabulary you will be able to take your wrestlers and your program to that championship level.
It is imperative that all wrestlers understand clearly what each skill requires and that they include them in their repertoire of technique and skill set. No matter what maneuver is being executed, one or more of the Seven Basic Skills will be essential to completing the move successfully.
In the next article, I will discuss the first skill known as Position.
Coach Hatfield