Resting in Florida

Taking some time off to rest in sunny Florida sounds fabulous, and I'm still frustrated about not being able to go to Daytona in March for Nationals, but one of the best high school teams has been doing just that.  Brandon High School in Florida captured it's 12th consecutive state title this year and is also a perennial power in Freestyle and Greco-Roman at all age levels.  Although their state tournament is over, they have a loaded schedule ahead of them for the spring and summer.  Yet their legendary coach, Russ Cozart, knows that their calendar must have strategic periods of active rest built in so that his wrestlers are fresh for all of the major tournaments and are peaking at the right time.

Cozart developed his active rest philosophy during a trip to Russia during the early 1980s.  In a WIN Magazine article by Willie Saylor, Cozart had this to say: "The Russians believe in 'active rest'... After major competitions they stay in shape by doing team activities not specifically associated with wrestling: playing soccer or basketball, lifting weights or doing short runs.  You have to stay in physical shape, and conducting team activities off the mat will relieve the pressure and re-energize them, mentally."

Here is an excerpt from WIN giving an outline of their off-season training:
March - give the kids at least two weeks active rest.  Team organized, non-wrestling activities.  Start training for NHSCAs (last weekend in March/early April).
April - two weeks active rest.  Begin transition to freestyle and Greco-Roman.  Two days per week of freestyle.  Two days per week of Greco-Roman.  He does not push or require participation.
May - light training and technique sessions for state freestyle or Greco qualifiers to adjust to international styles competition.
June - Increase intensity for those heading to FILAs, National Duals and Southeast Regional.
July - two to three weeks of serious training for Fargo.
August - nothing.  "This is a time for kids to be kids.  I don't want to see my guys for the month of August," he said.

Looking back at the high school off-season, I did some things right and I did some things wrong.  I'll post another blog very soon describing what I did.  I want to give you guys this information as soon as possible; NHSCAs crept past me two weeks ago, but many states have yet to hold their freestyle and Greco championships, so you still have time to make adjustments if necessary.

Rest - even if it's not in Florida,
Jeff