Sprawling - Wrestling in Schaumburg, Aurora, Naperville, Merriville IN

Sprawling comes into play when your opponent drops his level and penetrates in for a takedown. Although there are many ways to block your opponent's takedown, such as changing your angle, utilizing those options won't always be possible, especially if your opponent is an experienced wrestler and has a mean shot. Whether you plan to wrestle or fight, it is imperative the you develop a strong sprawl.  Shooting your legs back and dropping your hips tot he dirt might seem like an easy technique to master, but this is far from the truth. Sprawling is an art form the needs to be practiced on a daily basis.

Having a good sprawl is mandatory in both wrestling and fighting. When your opponent shoots, the goal is to get your hips to the mat as quickly as possible to prevent him from reaching your legs and completing the takedown. If you bury your opponent's head underneath your hips, it becomes very difficult for him to lift his head up and get the elevation he needs to shoot a second time. It also becomes very difficult for him to squirt his body out to the side. The biggest mistake I see people make with their sprawl is they throw their hips up into the air as they shoot their legs back. This can give your opponent the space he needs to seize your legs. When training, you should practice dropping your hips to the dirt as quickly as possible so your opponent runs into a brick wall.

After you sprawl, it is important to maintain proper posture to keep your opponent trapped beneath you. To apply as much downward pressure as possible, you want to stay up on your feet and keep your head up. Dropping a knee to the canvas removes a large portion of your weight from your opponent's head and shoulders, and dropping your head forces your hips backward, which also takes pressure off your opponent's head and shoulders. The less downward pressure you apply, the more mobility your opponent has to lift his head, increase his elevation, and finish the takedown. To keep your opponent from tipping yo to one side or the other, it is also important to maintain a wide base with both your arms and legs.

Sprawling correctly should be second nature, and the way to make it so is by practicing your sprawls as much as possible. When warming my guys up for practice, I'll have them move around in their stance and execute shots and sprawls for fifteen minutes. They do it every single practice, day in and day out. If you have to think about the proper way to sprawl while wrestling or in a fight, you haven't put in the necessary work.

For more on Sprawling and Wrestling programs, visit: Bulldogs Wrestling Program