Welcome to the official website of Cael Sanderson.


Ask Cael: TAKEDOWNS AND WINNING

Story Published Monday, February 15th, 2010

name: DONNIE SPANGLER, THE OLD OLD HUSKER

question: TAKEDOWNS AND WINNING

Dear Cael

I have a ? that I have pondered for about 50 years. It is in regards to takedowns and winning the match. have you or any one else out there in wrestling land ever seen any % or statistics on the probability of winning the match if you get the first take down? I have allways beleived that the wrestler who gets the first take down, will probably win the match, because 1. he or she is better prepared than their opponent in all of theirwrestling moves especially take downs. 2. is more aggressive with an attack attitude, not only with take downs, but also in their other moves I.E. pinning. but it all starts the #1 basic move a well executd take down. As you know practice does,nt make perfect, but perfect practice makes perfect! To make and execute great and perfect moves, you start with perfect practice. short cuts , half h!
earted and sloppy moves will only give you half hearted and sloppy results.you won,t be the winner! I look forward to hearing your ideas and comments, and tour other readers. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS AND GOOD WORKS. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. Sincerly donnie spangler the old old HUSKER. p.s. Did you ever use, or do you coach an outside, or inside leg trip from a tie up? I love your technique videos.

———————————
Thank you Donnie, thanks for this great insight. This is an older email but I dug it back up. I just want to share this email with people. I don’t have any statistics but I think you are right on target. The person that gets the first takedown wins the great majority of the time.
Cael


Latest Questions in the Ask Cael Archive

- question: Do you think starting wrestling at a young age is helpful/important?
- I have been a head coach for only 2 years, so I cannot expect overnight success but This school has so much potential. Please help me with pointers on this problem.
- A kid that I wrestle in practice won’t let me tie up with him. I beat him but how do i get a hold on him when he always circles out when I try to tie up with him.
- Everyone around here almost automatically defers when they win the choice to start the second period. I believe that is counter-productive and want my boys to take bottom every time.
- I have two boys who love to wrestle, what do you think is the best way to bring them up the ranks, without “burning them out?” And what would be some good motivational ideas?
- I have watched videos of you in college where you put your head to the mat. Are you gaining an advantage by using your head on the mat?
- Can you explain why college wrestlers defense is so different?
- What is your philosophy regarding Team v. Individual in the sport of wrestling and how do you communicate this philosophy?
- What causes passivity? How can we overcome it?
- I graduated 2 years ago and recently got a coaching job coaching my old middle school team. What is some advice you could give me to help me get moves across to my team without skipping important details?

View Complete Ask Cael Archive by Date