Thanks to all of you who contributed to the fundraiser geared toward Satchel's continuing wrestling education. Yesterday was his first tournament as a member of Colorado Top Team. Satch was sick with the stomach flu all week, so rather than wrestle him at All-States 90 miles away in Colorado Springs as I'd initially planned to do, we took him with the majority of the Colorado Top Team members to Wiggins, Colorado, where he wrestled and won first place, scoring a 9-1 Major victory in his first match (the only point surrendered was when we gave his opponent a free escape point to allow Satchel to start from the neutral position, wishing him to work more on his take downs), then finishing up with a 15-0 tech fall victory.
Still haven't gotten our new phones, so no video, unfortunately. But he wrestled pretty well, keeping opponents off his legs, which is something we've been working on. He also pulled off one of the tilts we've been practicing, and thanks to all of you, I've found a hybrid-style stance/motion game via Mark Perry that I want Satch to begin drilling, because it fits perfectly with his style and augments his quickness. Essentially, it melds the hand-fighting physicality of the Iowa-style wrestlers (and Colorado Top Team is dedicated to really teaching aggressive hand fighting and getting angles) with the outside wrestling style of Oklahoma State. To date, I've never really taught Satchel anything but a very basic single leg; going forward off his new stance and motion drills, I'll be adding a low single and sweep single to his arsenal which, when built off of head blocks and down blocks, should create ample opportunity for re-shots and improved angles of attack, something that I think Satchel will ultimately excel at.
He's also going to start working out with me this spring going forward, though I won't have him using weights for another few years. Instead, we'll work on plyometrics, band training (without the Harry Reid pitfalls, I'm betting), isometrics, and aids to his stance and motion: hercules chairs, quick feet drills, etc. I might begin him on some weight training, but only for grip -- essentially, the same kind of strength training he'd get from rope climbing, only without the rope.
He wrestles next weekend at an eastern plains league tournament. I'll update then. And if anyone who didn't contribute would like to, there are still 3 DVDs I'd like to purchase for him right now -- Matt Acevedo's hip-heist changeover series; Jordan Leen's safe leg series; and Rob Koll's leg sweeps series, all from Championship Productions.
Thanks again!
Jeff and Satch