Takedown Tuesday: “The Power of Self-Scouting in Wrestling”

Takedown Tuesday: “The Power of Self-Scouting in Wrestling”

by Jon Gums – Dakota Grappler

Before You Scout Your Opponent, Scout Yourself (and don’t forget to journal)

In wrestling, we often focus on the opponent—what are their strengths, weaknesses, tendencies? But how often do we take the time to truly scout ourselves? Before you ever prepare to break down your competition, the real groundwork begins with an honest, deep evaluation of yourself as a wrestler.  Write down what works and doesn’t.

Step One: Assess Your Technique
The foundation of your wrestling success is built on technique. Are you efficient in your movements? Do you execute your shots cleanly, or do you leave room for mistakes? Look at your wrestling toolbox—are there holes? It’s time to film your matches and practices. Break down your moves, your counters, your transitions. The more honest you are with your technical assessment, the more equipped you’ll be to sharpen your game.

Step Two: Work Ethic and Discipline
Scouting yourself also means taking a hard look at your work ethic. Are you pushing yourself hard enough? Are you staying consistent, not just on the mat, but off of it—focusing on nutrition, conditioning, mental preparation? Wrestling is a sport of effort and grind, and self-scouting requires you to answer tough questions: Are you doing enough to win? If not, what’s holding you back?

Step Three: Leadership and Mental Game
In wrestling, leadership is as crucial as any physical skill. Whether you’re the team captain or someone who leads by example, how you carry yourself matters. Evaluate your ability to motivate both yourself and others. Are you a positive influence in the wrestling room, pushing teammates to be their best while also holding yourself accountable? Wrestling demands mental toughness—scout your resilience in difficult moments, both on and off the mat.

Step Four: The Role of Your Workout Partners
Who you train with can significantly impact your development. Evaluate your current workout partners. Are they pushing you to improve, or are you stuck in routines with partners who no longer challenge you? If your partners aren’t pushing you hard enough, it’s time to seek out new challenges. Maybe it’s a higher weight class, a more experienced teammate, or even rotating who you drill with to avoid stagnation.

Step Five: Coaches and Support System
Your coaches play an essential role in guiding you, but their impact depends on your relationship with them. Are you utilizing their expertise to the fullest? Take a look at your interactions—are you coachable, listening to feedback and adjusting accordingly? Your support system extends beyond the mat as well. Who’s in your corner, motivating you and holding you accountable? If there are gaps here, they need to be addressed.

Step Six: Efficiency and Improvement
Finally, self-scouting is like running a business—where can you be more efficient? Evaluate your routine, from practice schedules to off-mat preparation. Are you making the most of your time, or are there areas where you can be more productive? Just as a business looks for ways to streamline operations, you should be identifying where you can improve your overall performance.

Conclusion
Self-scouting isn’t just an occasional task; it’s a necessary, ongoing process. Before you worry about scouting your opponent, the first and most crucial step is understanding yourself—your strengths, weaknesses, habits, and mindset. Only after a true evaluation of who you are as a wrestler can you effectively plan your attack against someone else.

This week, challenge yourself to do the hard work of scouting yourself. What can you improve? Where can you be more efficient? The answers might just make the difference between victory and defeat.