When preparing for a wrestling meet you should keep your carbohydrate intake low in order to allow yourself the opportunity to make weight. Once you make weight, you should provide your body with the necessary carbohydrates needed to compete to your fullest capacity. However, you must avoid stuffing yourself following weigh-in. Loading up on a dozen donuts or a couple of hamburgers does absolutely nothing but fill your psychological stomach. Eating honey, candy, and drinking some liquid with some type of sugar content meets your needs. When taking in the carbohydrates, you must not fill yourself to the fullest. WRESTLE HUNGRY. You can eat after the match, not before. If you have been following the diet you probably won’t be that hungry.
There is some self-discipline required in following any weight reduction diet. A wrestler becomes better prepared to take his place as a contributing member of the team by establishing self-control.
During a tournament it would be wise to have several smaller snacks during the day. Eating bananas for potassium, oranges, and apples will provide you with additional energy for your next match. This is really an individual thing. The old saying “Different Strokes for Different Folks” holds true. Select from the diet list to find what provides you the nourishment you seek. Be sure to add carbohydrates to the mix. If you have to weigh in the next day or that evening as you advance, be aware of that and control your intake.
To Stay Fresh during the tournament, if at all possible, take a shower between matches. Don’t make it a long, hot shower that will drain your energy. Just take a short 5 minute or less shower and cool down at the end of the shower by lowering the temperature of the water. This will close your sweat glands and keep you body temperature lower while you wait for your next match.
To Make Weight at the end of the day, start jumping rope after your matches. This is a good technique to use to continue your conditioning throughout the season. It will take advantage of your bodies need to burn more fuel and it is a good way to warm down from your last match. Whatever you do, avoid dehydration. Keep drinking those fluids, especially water.
Good luck with your season and your weight control.
Coach Hatfield
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