by Tyler Brandt, National Recruiting Coordinator
One of the most difficult things to do in wrestling is beat a good leg rider! The history of wrestling has proven that when you’re really good (I mean exceptionally good) at using the legs to score you become a formidable opponent. I think there is a simple explanation for this, even though the real life application is very difficult to execute. One of the reasons good leg riders have so much success is that they …
CONTROL THEIR OPPONENT’S POSITION & KNOW WHERE THEY’RE GOING NEXT!!
What this really means is that the offensive wrestler, or the “leg rider”, not only is in control of their opponents current position, they’re dictating the position they’ll be in next and are prepared to control that position as well. It’s as simple as being 3 moves ahead in a chess game, the person who is playing from behind is always in a tough position to get the win.
The key to successfully defending a leg rider is to take the control away from them. As soon as you control the leg rider’s position and start dictating the action you begin to regain control and can escape or reverse your opponent to start getting the match under your control. These 7 things taught me how to successfully defend the legs and also taught me how to build a Nationally Ranked team at the collegiate level through solid, sound recruiting practices:
How to Defend The Legs:
- DON’T LET EM’ IN!!
- Control the position you’re currently in so your opponent can’t improve his
- Set-up your opponents next move by adjusting your position so he has to adjust his
- When he adjusts his position use your technique to attack and regain control
- Don’t panic if it doesn’t work – there is always another time and another technique
- Don’t Give In – The Period Is Always Almost Over & You Get A Re-Start
- Learn from what just happened so you don’t get in that position again
How I Recruited at the College Level Like I Was Defending The Legs:
- I kept objections from being objections before they became objections
- I controlled the direction of the conversation so it never went in the wrong direction
- I asked the right questions at the right time gets the right answers
- Since I knew the right questions to ask – that meant I also knew how to answer it
- I never panicked – I was smart enough to hire TCS who always had the right response
- I never gave in – I kept communicating! The right message at the right time for long enough flat out WORKS!
- I listened more than I talked – what they just said matters & dictates the direction of the conversation.
A former college assistant coach of mine said “wrestling is like being in construction – there is a tool & a technique for everything to make it easier!” That’s absolutely correct, if you are open minded, willing to look at what others in your field are doing and why they’re successful. Remember, if you had all the answers then you wouldn’t lose a competition. Not having the answers and even losing have their place in the development of you, your program and your athletes.
Please email me at tyler@dantudor.com and we can talk about creating the best recruiting class you’ve ever had!