Using Video to Improve Your Wrestling

How to review video

There are some great resources out there on video tape review. Ken Chertow has one on his site Written by Mike DeRoehn. To read the article go here.

http://www.kenchertow.com/training_tips/video_analysis/va_video_review.html

I like the system he uses. I think it allows you to find what you need to work on and not spend to much time worrying when you could be training.

If you want to scout yourself or others the first thing you need to do is put together your own system to go with. I really recommend putting together a standardized form that you can save. A great example from Steve Kimpel, former head coach at Colorado School of mines can be found here.

http://www.mines.edu/~skimpel/champmanualscouting.pdf

Another example I created can be found here.

http://www.carrwrestling.com/pdf/scouting.pdf

Adapt that sheet to your own needs.

Now first, watch the match and take your notes on your form. Do not stop the tape or rewind the first time through. Make sure you pay attention to the seven basic skills. Stance and motion are such a key in the sport of wrestling that if you can correct the flaws there you can make it very hard for your opponent to score on you.

After completing your notes rewind the match and go back over it with a fine tooth comb. If you get taken down go through the tape slowly and see what is the sequence that occurs. If you are scouting another wrestler look and see what he does for a set up or what set ups work on him.

Take these notes and go over them with your coaches. They should be able to give you feedback on yourself and help you learn from and correct any mistakes you may have encountered.

Now you have a list of things to work on so get in the room and go for it.

*A quick note - If you use a digital camcorder and want to watch the match film on your computer you can download Sports Media Player. It is a great tool that ads slow motion and other useful features to your Windows Media Player.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Video-Players/Sport-Video-Player.shtml