Development & Curriculum

USA WRESTLING 3 LEVEL APPROACH

Our curriculum is based on the USA Wrestling Core Curriculum 3 level approach, increasing in skills and training based on capability and potential.

1. Folkstyle Level 1
2. Folkstyle Level 2
3. Folkstyle Level 3

Early Years: 5 to 8

• Focus is on FUN, games, and activities
• Daily agility, balance and coordination drills
• Focus on long-term learning over winning
• Learn wrestling rules and basic techniques
• Learn respect for opponents, coaches & officials
• Practice time increases with age and ability

Growing Wrestlers: 9 to 14

• Expand wrestling specific strategies
• Learn to focus through a full practice
• Increase levels of competition
• Implement complex coordination and movement training
• Solid technique in every position
• Self-motivate
• Speed, strength, endurance, power, and flexibility
• Well defined competition style
• Preparation for a higher level of competition and high school

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Curriculum

For new and younger wrestlers

• We will progressively move through core skills applicable to wrestling including: Gymnastics and tumbling, jumping and explosion, agility, foot speed, coordination, core strength, wrestling skill-based movements, along with fun live wrestling exercises. 
• This will be done in with fun drills and games consistent with USA Wrestling Curriculum for Drills and Games.

For advancing and older wrestlers

• For advancing wrestlers, we will use the solid foundation of abilities and interest established with our younger wrestlers to increase their skills for competition. 
• Again, the approach is based on the necessary skills identified in the USA Wrestling Curriculum, including stance, positions, offense, defense, and counter offense. 
• We are building strong wrestlers that can excel against any competition. 

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Folkstyle Level 1 – Beginners

1. Neutral Position
   • Stance
     • Staggered & Square
   • Motion
   • Penetration Step (inside & outside)
     • Change your elevation before penetration
   • Back Step
2. Neutral Position – Offense
   • Take Downs
     • Double Leg
     • Single Leg
     • Snap & Spin
     • Back Step Offense
       • Head & Arm
       • Arm Spin
   • Set-ups / Control Ties
     • Wrist Tie
     • Head Snap
     • Pop & Go
3. Counter Offense
   • Lines of defense
   • Sprawl & spin
   • Stuff head
   • Back step defense
     • Head & arm defense
     • Arm spin defense
4. Referee’s Position
   • Basic positioning / procedure
   • Stand up
   • Switch
5. Referee’s Top Position
   • Basic positioning (riding)
   • Pop & chop
   • Ankle rides / Breakdowns
   • Spiral ride / Breakdowns
   • Returns to mat (Hip Dump)
   • Half nelson
   • Cradle

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Folkstyle Level 2 – Intermediate

1. Neutral Position
   • Stalking your opponent
     • Close the Gap
     • Making contact
   • Hand fighting to control tie
     • Handfighting – Control tie
     • Handfighting – Don’t reach
2. Neutral Position – Offense
   • Take Downs
     • Sweep Single
       • Sweep single inside
       • Sweep single outside
       • Tree top finish
       • Run the pipe head inside
       • Run the pipe head outside
     • High crotch
       • Inside step penetration
       • Outside step penetration
       • Pop finish
       • Change to a double
     • Double Leg
       • Double Leg inside
       • Double Leg outside
     • Fireman’s Carry
       • Inline finish
       • Kelly finish
3. Counter Offense
   • Front headlock
     • Go behind
   • Stuff head
     • Single – Head inside
     • High crotch – head outside
4. Referee’s Position
   • Stand Up
   • Short sit
     • Stand Up
     • Switch
     • Head post
5. Referee’s Top Position
   • Pop & Chop
     • Near wrist – cheap tilt
     • Far side tilt
     • Bar arms
   • Spiral ride
     • Arm turk
     • Leg turk

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Folkstyle Level 3 – Advanced

1. Neutral Position
   • Hands & wrists (fighting for control)
   • Opponent posting
   • Hand fighting drill
   • Inside ties
   • Underhook (head position)
2. Neutral Position – Offense
   • Take Downs
     • Single leg – feet
     • Single leg – sweep / running the corner
     • Trick knee whizzer
     • Single leg – back door
     • Single leg – rotate direction
3. Counter Offense
   • Front headlock
     • Clearing elbow
     • Whipovers
     • Knee tap
4. Referee’s Bottom Position
   • Base building
   • Holding base drill
5. Referee’s Top Position
   • Spiral ride to legs
   • Claw ride to legs