Wrestling Mindset
You get taken down early in a match. Does that mean you've already lost?
What is No?
True or False: Every thought your brain gives you is true.
What is False?
Feeling nervous before stepping onto the mat is...
A. Weird
B. Normal
C. A sign you'll lose
What is Normal?
"I lost my last match."
Fact or Thought?
What is Fact?
Finish the sentence:
"I don't have to wrestle perfectly. I just have to _______."
Try my best, keep wrestling, compete hard, give effort.
After losing one match at a tournament, does that mean you're a bad wrestler?
What is No?
Your brain says, "Everyone thinks I'm terrible." What's one question you could ask yourself?
What is "How do I know?" or "What's my evidence?"
Name one way your body tells you you're nervous before a match.
Fast heartbeat, butterflies, sweaty hands, shaky legs, tense muscles.
"I'm a terrible wrestler."
Fact or Thought?
What is Thought?
Name one thing you could say to yourself before stepping onto the mat.
I've trained for this. Stay calm. One move at a time. I can handle this.
Good wrestlers focus on this instead of the last mistake.
What is the next move (or the next point)?
Your brain says, "I always lose." Is that a fact or a thought?
What is a thought?
Anxiety usually wants you to think about the ________ thing that could happen.
What is the worst?
Your brain says, "I'll probably lose." What's one detective question you could ask?
Is that a fact? What's my evidence? Is there another possibility?
After making a mistake, what's one thing an "inner coach" might say?
Shake it off. Next move. Stay in the match. Keep wrestling.
Name one thing you can control during a wrestling match.
What is effort, attitude, focus, breathing, or hustle?
If your brain says, "I can't beat this person in a match," what's a more helpful response?
I'll wrestle my hardest. I'll give it my best. Anything can happen.
Name one thing you can do to calm your body before your match starts.
Deep breathing, stretching, positive self-talk, visualization, grounding.
If your teammate said, "I'm awful," what would you tell him?
Any encouraging response.
What's one strength you already have as a wrestler?
Any personal strength (hard worker, strong, determined, doesn't quit, learns from mistakes).
What would a good coach probably tell you after you make a mistake during a match?
Keep wrestling. Stay focused. Next point. Don't quit.
Name one reason it's helpful to question negative thoughts.
Because they aren't always true and they can affect how you perform.
True or False: You can wrestle well even if you feel nervous.
What is True?
Fill in the blank:
"My brain is giving me a thought, but that doesn't mean it's _______."
What is true?
Create your own wrestling mantra using six words or fewer.