(Paul Jakub is a HS sophomore 152lb wrestler… he’s gearing up for a huge season.. shown here attempting 475)
I was recently watching a video on a website that I belong to… and a coach who specializes in training fighters was talking about different types of strength that is needed for the fighters he trains and what he said really hit home.. This not only applies to MMA fighters, boxers and wrestlers but also to any contact sport such as football and even hockey.
He said: “When you fight you are fighting your own bodyweight… plus your opponents body weight.. plus your opponents strength!”
This statement has so much truth behind it.
I see too many coaches, trainers and athletes only concerned about the 1st one. Yes being able to efficiently move your own bodyweight is important. This is called relatively body strength so things like push ups, pull ups, situps and “bodyweight” exercises fall into this category. Bodyweight training is a good place to start but it shouldn’t be a means to an end.
The problem is that for years wrestlers and fighters were scared of weight training because they were scared of getting tight and gaining weight. What you don’t know you don’t know.
Many athletes become coaches and parents and still have the same mindset.
In 2018, science has taught us that to get strong with out gaining muscle mass athletes need to lift maximal loads for very low volume. This is also how you build maximal strength.
We also know, that in order to overcome your bodyweight, your opponents bodyweight, and your opponents strength…
You need to be freaking strong!
Technique being equal, strength wins out. Strength probably also wins out when technique is relatively close but no equal.
Ask any athlete that plays a contact sport and they will tell you its physically and mentally exhausting to go up against somebody that is really strong… this holds true in football, wrestling, mma, boxing, etc.
Maximal strength is an equalizer and its also a differentiator.
If your athlete isn’t training for it… wait till they face somebody who is.