Summer!

So I've been done with school for almost a week now, and graduation is this Saturday.  Right now I'm enjoying my time off before I start work in Akron on June 4th.  For those of you still in high school or even younger, there are tons of opportunities to get better during the summer.  In addition to any summer tournaments that may be left, you have your choice of numerous camps, clinics, and clubs to train at.  But which route to choose?  And which camps?  I'll give you my take on it.

From 2004-2006, the summers leading up to my freshman through junior years of high school, I attended the Northern Illinois University 10-day intensive camp.  In 2006 and 2007 I was at the Team Illinois training camp for about a week before we headed to Fargo.  I also went to the summer camp that my high school offered in the mornings for a few weeks in July.  I dabbled in a local freestyle/greco club in the spring of 2006, but then joined a more structured club in 2007.  Here's why I think this was a great decision:

-Camps can be a double-edged sword: We worked our butts off at the 10-day camps at NIU, and I definitely saw improvements by the end each time I went.  But when the 10 days were finally over, the last thing I wanted to do was continue doing 4 grueling practices each day.  So instead I took a couple days off to rest, which can easily turn into a week, and before you know it you took the last month of summer off.  I didn't fall into this trap in 2006, but when I was younger I wasn't quite as dedicated, and many kids can end up doing the same thing if they're tired, sore, and burnt out after 10 days of that.  But at the same time, doing something tough like that is a great way to test yourself and to show you what it takes to get to the next level.  Part of me wishes that I had tried J. Robinson's 28-day intensive camp at Minnesota just to see if I could do it; many people that start the camp do not finish, but if you are warrior enough to stick it out, "it'll change your life - I guarantee it." - J. Robinson

-Clubs are less intense but more consistent: When I joined ISI (Iron Sharpens Iron) Wrestling Club during their first season, I drove 40 minutes each way to Crystal Lake, IL every Monday and Wednesday from March through July and September through October.  I even went there on Sundays during the winter for match review and an extra workout.  Instead of 10 days of all out training, I trained at a easier but more consistent pace.  Instead of making huge gains and then taking time off after a camp, I made steady gains throughout the off-season.

Some wrestling clubs can be quite pricey if you go for the premier ones, but there are certainly plenty of less expensive options available.  Some coaches will even let wrestlers train at their facilities for free, so ask around for open practices.  I would recommend going to a camp at some point just for the experience, but I wouldn't rely on them solely for your off-season training.

Start summer off right,
Jeff