Tall, Lengthy Style, What series is suggested?

Question
QUESTION: Hey coach, I am 145, and i'm close to 6'1". I have been told that throws, and riding on top would be my strengths, and that is true. What technique can you suggest, from top, bottom, and neutral, that I work on? Thanks.

ANSWER: Hey Derek
Thanks for the question. It seems that you were given some good advice. Being tall is a definite advantage in wrestling, especially at 145lbs. From the neutral position, I would work on shrugs, a slide-by, snap-downs, duckunders, head & arms, double-leg, high-single, fireman's carry and ankle picks.  From the bottom, I would utilize toe-lifts (picks), power switch, sitback to a petersen roll, or a low stand-up. On top, I would utilize a near-side cradle, high-turk/cross-body ride, arm bars, and an inside-wrist / half pinning combination being aware to develop the ability to jump side to side, keeping my opponent's head stapled to the mat with your head while attacking the wrists. Be sure to develop an intense physical regimen consisting of wide-grip and close-grip pull-ups / curlups ( all reps done very slowly to develop slow-twitch fiber for power. Also, utilize rope-climbing, press-squats (pressing and Olympic bar and squatting simultaneously for balance), clean & jerks, and my specialty, towel-twirling ( towel w/ wet knot on the end - twirl on one arm- (elbows in) 100 twirls @ 30 second per arm, switching off until failure to meet time deadline, or when your arms cannot move! This will develop hand speed, circulation, cardio, muscular endurance, and will get you ripped! Also check out my websites for the competitive edge for nutrition, and hydration. (http://opp.sunrider.com/healthessentials (Vita-Shakes & SportsCaps) & (http://rmcdonald7.qhealthzone.com) Perfect Water & EXS Energy Drinks. Keep me informed of your progress and remember - never argue for your limitations. Good luck!

Yours in the Quest for Gold,

Coach Rae-Rae

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey coach, what is a shrug and what is a toe-lift? I am also confused on the towel twirling workout.

Derek

Answer
Hey Derek,

A shrug or some call it a shuck, is similar to a "Prescott" slide-by, except the tie-up is different. When an opponent initiates a collar-tie up on you, you simply overtie his collar-tie and pinch his head back against his trapezius muscles (forehead to forehead). I like to dig my fingers into his neck muscles on the side to give him a moment of discomfort. Then I will fake an attempt for my opponent's knee with my free hand - when my opponent reacts by sprawling the leg away ever so slightly (placing his weight upon the near leg) I then shuck my opponent's head past like a slide-by or like a pinball flipper swatting the pinball. I end up with a murkle-style headlock as my opponent is forced to land almost on his face as a result of the momentum and my reverse head-lock (ride his head to the mat like a rodeo cowboy bulldogging a cow to the ground) # As far as the toe-pick(bottom position) is concerned, it is like creating space between you and your opponent on the whistle (at least 8 inches)taking his tight waist arm by the wrist - at the point where you can go no further, extend your toe into a point and do a slight falling roll to your hip and elbow-point using your toe to lift your opponent's knee like a fork-lift, rolling your opponent to his back. (note: many heavyweights utilize this as a roll) Sometimes you can finish like a Petersen roll or you can scissor down to your chest and keep your opponent on his back. This is a slick, finesse movement and always is a reversal, good for at least 4 points. This works good on an opponent that you just cannot seem to stand up on, or on one that drives you forward on the whistle. Hopefully, these explanations will make more sense to you. Most old-school coaches will know how to execute these moves. Good luck with this series!

Yours in the Quest for Gold,

Coach Rae-Rae