Week 8 - Strategy & Match Pacing
🔍 What to Look For in This Week’s Focus
Match pacing: managing energy output across six minutes (and beyond)
Using tie-ups and head position to dictate tempo and control flow
Making decisions based on clock awareness and match situation
Staying composed and confident when matches go into overtime
Developing the mental discipline to remain calm under pressure
Common Mistakes
Blowing energy early instead of controlling the pace
Forgetting score and time management, leading to rushed or lazy attacks
Losing head position and letting the opponent control ties
Panicking in overtime and taking low-percentage shots
Over-focusing on offense without conserving enough for late match bursts
Coaching Emphasis
Train athletes to treat match pacing like a skill: control, conserve, and attack at the right times
Reinforce constant clock and score awareness, especially in the final 30 seconds
Stress tie-ups and head position as tools for control, not just setups for shots
Build overtime drills into practice so athletes learn composure in sudden victory scenarios
Highlight the mental side of strategy — wrestling smart with awareness is as important as wrestling hard