Suggestions, thoughts, and recommendations from the Howell Wrestling Coaching Staff.
As November begins, the Howell High School wrestling team is ramping up for another exciting season. With official practices just around the corner, the focus of the team is squarely on preparation. Preseason conditioning and weight class planning are the things to focus on right now.
The Importance of Preseason Conditioning
Wrestling is one of the most physically demanding sports, requiring a unique combination of strength, endurance, agility, and mental toughness. Preseason conditioning plays a vital role in ensuring that athletes enter the season in peak shape, ready to take on the rigors of competition. Howell wrestlers have been working hard over the past few weeks, focusing on building their cardiovascular endurance and strength. Coaches have emphasized the importance of long runs, sprints, and plyometric exercises to develop the kind of explosiveness that can make the difference in matches.
Conditioning is not just about physical readiness—it also helps prevent injuries. Wrestlers who are not in shape are more prone to muscle strains and joint injuries. Howell’s coaches are pushing athletes to maintain a high level of fitness so that they can perform at their best throughout the entire season, rather than peaking too early and burning out before key matches. For those wrestlers looking to compete at the highest level, conditioning is also about mental toughness. Pushing through grueling practices now will help them build the resilience needed to thrive when they’re on the mat.
Planning Your Weight Class
One of the most critical decisions for wrestlers at the start of the season is determining which weight class they will compete in. In wrestling, the weight class you choose can make or break your season. Howell’s coaching staff has been working closely with individual athletes to help them figure out where they can be most competitive. This requires a balance of strength and size, and wrestlers need to consider whether they want to cut weight or maintain their current size.
For many wrestlers, cutting weight is a serious commitment. Coaches stress the importance of doing it the right way—gradually reducing weight by focusing on nutrition, hydration, and healthy habits rather than drastic, unhealthy cuts. Wrestlers who want to compete in a lighter class should start making small adjustments now, so they can be in the right weight class when competition begins. At the same time, athletes who are looking to stay in their current weight class or move up should focus on building lean muscle and refining their technique to compete against stronger opponents.
-Coach McDonald and the HS Staff (Nov 4, 2024)
The Howell wrestling team follows a guiding philosophy known as "The House" when they take to the mat. This approach is built on a foundation and supported by five key pillars, all aimed at achieving victory through mental and physical resilience.
The cornerstone of The House is the belief that fatigue will ultimately overcome our opponents. This doesn't necessarily mean we'll always be in better shape, but rather that we have the mental fortitude to push through exhaustion while our equally-conditioned opponents crumble under its weight.
First Contact: Howell wrestlers initiate contact, push the pace, and engage their opponents with purpose. We set the tone from the start.
Relentless Pressure from Top: When in the top position, we maintain control through a constant, grinding barrage of moves. We focus on controlling our opponent's hips and head while working for turns.
Wrestle from an Advantage Position: On our feet, we hand-fight to secure preferred advantage ties such as underhooks, Russian ties, or variations of double inside control. From these positions, we generate our offense.
Come Up Safe from the Bottom: We don't rush to escape the bottom position, nor do we remain passive. Howell wrestlers maintain and build their base with intention, staying safe while acknowledging the inherent danger of the bottom position.
Stay Focused / Eyes Forward / Predator Mindset: Howell wrestlers constantly seek to score and improve their position. We maintain a predatory focus, always looking to extend our lead.
Covering The House is our commitment to finishing strong. In wrestling, the match isn't over until the referee blows the final whistle. We push to dominate until the very end.
This philosophy of The House guides every Howell wrestler, instilling a mindset of relentless pursuit and unwavering focus that carries them through each match and throughout the season.
Go Highlanders! -Coach Guernsey and the HS Staff (10.1.2024)