I just recently injured my pcl and mcl. With huge goals, I’m not going to let this stop me from becoming a better wrestler. Here’s my top three tips on what I do to improve, even with an injury.
Work On Your Mindset
The first thing that went through my head when I got injured was how am I ever going to be good enough again. It felt like all my hard work disappeared. I could barely walk at first, making me worry.
I quickly turned this attitude around because I knew that no matter what was wrong with my leg, I would wrestle. Nothing can stop me from doing what I love. I looked at all my goals I have written down, and it ignited the spark in me again. I knew what I wanted.
It’s all about knowing what you want and truly believing you are capable. When you feed your brain with positive affirmations, it’s what you believe. When you believe in yourself, you’re going to work towards your goals and let no injury stop you.
Make goals and WRITE THEM DOWN
Tell yourself you’re the best
Believe that you will persevere.
Watch Film
Watching wrestling matches is great for your own wrestling, especially if you can’t practice. I usually watch the wrestlers that are really good at what I struggle with. Study their moves. It helps you learn them. You can even study your own matches, especially your losses. Find out why you didn’t win, so next time you do.
What I like to do is mentally drill through wrestling moves in my head. I’ll watch someone wrestle or myself, and when someone gets a takedown, I’ll replay it to see how they did it. I’ll replay it up to 20 times until I understand the movements. Doing this will make you a better wrestler, and a more knowledgeable wrestler. You might not be able to wrestle right now, but you can still learn.
Workout What You Can
If you hurt your arms, workout your legs, and if you hurt your legs, workout your arms. I don’t care what it is, you need some type of movement and exercise while you’re injured. You don’t want to go back on the mat out of shape.
Light stretching and yoga sessions will even make you feel better than not doing anything.
Do not push yourself on exercises with your injury. You could make it way worse, and sit out for way longer. Only workout the parts of your body that are capable.
You’ll Come Back
You’re about to come back off this injury stronger than ever. Don’t let anything get in your way. No one’s expecting this comeback.