Ask Cael: Donnie Spangler’s advice to his Grandson

Story Published Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Dear Coach Sanderson

Congratulations on your great season . You have done a great job at PSU. I plan on attending the NCCA finals in Omaha, I hope I can get the opportunity to meet you in person. I sent the following email to my 16 year old grandson (Parker Moses) who lives in Austin Texas .This was his first year of wrestling, as his family lived outside of the country until this year. I did lots of tele, and internet email coaching with him. It paid off well. He made the varsity his first year, had a 20 and 5 record, had the most pins, and most first period pins. On a point system he was the first one to earn his wrestling letter. this year. I am hoping that he and some of his wrestling friends, can attend your camp this summer. I would love your comments and or any suggestions in regards to what I said in the email, as I would like to send the email to other youth wrestlers that i know. Feel free to post my email on your ask Cael. blog. Keep up the good work for all of wrestling.

Sincerely, DONNIE SPANGLER, THE OLD HUSKER

KEEP YOUR HEAD(MIND) ON THE MAT!

As the youth and high school wrestling season winds, I thought I might share some thoughts and ideas for those wrestlers who want to successfully wrestle in the off season or get ready to prepare for next season. It is perfectly fine to take a break from a sport now and then, but if you want to really excel in this sport of wrestling, you need to keep your mind and thinking on the mat on a regular basis. ALWAYS do it in a FUN and positive way. The following are some ideas that I think that work very well.

1. In the off season do some conditioning training alone or with some friends .I.E sprints and long distance running, biking, exercises I.E. push ups , pull ups, sit ups ect.

2. Get some wrestling friends together, maybe once a week, say on a weekend night and practice some moves and drills on the carpet or on the grass in the yard. then watch a movie together eat some pizza and talk about girls.

3. With your wrestling buddies, watch and analyze wrestling videos of your self and your friends wrestling in previous matches. Look for things in the videos that you think you can improve on.

4. Go to at least 1 wrestling camp during the off season either folk style or free style .

5. Enter some wrestling tournaments with your friends. Make it a fun time and positive experience. MORE MATCHES MEANS MORE EXPERIENCE, MORE EXPERIENCE MEANS YOU WILL BECOME A BETTER WRESTLER.

6. Watch wrestling videos on the internet often. I.E. flowrestling , youtube, Cael Sandersons site ect.

7. SET SEASON GOALS !!! Without goals you have no direction. make goals like I will win districts or I will win state and be a state champion, or I will win at least half of matches by first period pins. Write these goals down and place them where you can read them often. I.E. bathroom mirror, dash of the car, car sun visor, refrigerator , ceiling of your bedroom directly above your bed.. Then say them out loud often and to who ever will listen to you like your friends, relatives, coaches and every body else you know also.

8. Devise a written plan on how to achieve YOUR goals. I.E. I will run__ miles each week. I will do ___pull ups each day . I will improve my technique I.E. improve my take downs by doing __ shadow drills each day with my bedroom door mirror, or practice on my mom and dad. I will sign up for at least ___ tournament on or before _____date. I will sign up for a summer camp on or before _____. I will contact other area wrestlers about my same weight, and see if they would like to practice with me, at some place, either on a mat, carpet, or grass.

9. Seek council and advice from my coach and other knowledgeable wrestlers about my goals and planning strategies. They will be honored and be glad to help you. So humble your self, and get some good free advice.

10. Read a good motivational book over the off season I.E WRESTLING TOUGH by Mike Chapman, or Rulon Gardners book NEVER STOP PUSHING.

THE BOTTOM LINE! If you have a passion for wrestling, and for excellence and you focus on being a Champion, you can be the CHAMPION that God wants you to be. Pursue your goals , and live your dream, always in a fun way, it will make your life exciting!

(By DONNIE SPANGLER, THE OLD HUSKER)

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