The Basics of Being a Wrestler

There is no better feeling for a wrestler than that. .
             Before a match, I like to calm down by listening to country music. Instead of getting hyped up like most wrestlers, I like going out onto the mat settled down and calm. It helps me to forget about the crowd, and the pressure that is really on me to win the match. If I listen to any type of hip-hop or rap I get too worked up and tend to underperform for some reason. .
             Wrestling is a huge psychological mind game. From intense practices till the moment you step out on the mat you must be mentally strong. "Your body goes farther than your mind " is the quote that wrestling coaches use for their athletes. Your mind will think you are tired before your body is actually tired. If you can push through pain and fatigue you will become stronger physically and mentally. If you can get past your mind telling yourself that your body is tired, you will be able to perform at a higher level for a longer amount of time. Other sports may be longer than a wrestling match, but none are a non-stop grind. Take football for instance, the average play goes for six seconds, then you get a thirty second break until the next play starts. In wrestling you go non-stop for three minutes, then a ten second break, followed by two minutes and another ten second break, and on top of that another two-minute period. If the score is tied after this you go into overtime, which is another non-stop period. Wrestling is a seven-minute grind in hell that few are willing to do, and do it well. .
             Wrestling is without question the hardest sport in the world. If you want to succeed at the sport you have to do the extra work. I think this is the most undervalued part of wrestling from the outside community. Extra work consists of lifting on your days off or getting an extra drill in even when it is not required. On weekends while everyone is out partying and having a great time, wrestlers stay in and get a cardiovascular workout in.