Why Football Players Should Wrestle in the Off-Season

If you're a football parent wondering what your child should do in the off-season, here's a suggestion from some of the most successful football coaches in history: wrestling.

The Football-Wrestling Connection

Wrestling develops every physical and mental attribute that makes a great football player:

Hand fighting and leverage — Offensive and defensive linemen who wrestle have a massive advantage in hand placement, leverage, and body position. Wrestling is essentially football line play without pads.

Tackling — The best tacklers in football are wrestlers. The hip control, body position, and finishing ability developed on the mat translate directly to bringing down ball carriers.

Toughness — Football is a tough sport. Wrestling is tougher. A player who has been through a wrestling season is mentally prepared for anything football throws at them.

Conditioning — Wrestling conditioning is among the most demanding in all sports. Players who wrestle come into football season in elite cardiovascular shape.

What the Pros Say

Countless NFL players credit wrestling with their success on the football field. The balance, body control, and competitive fire developed in wrestling create a different kind of football player.

Start This Season

At Spartan ELITE, we work with football players year-round. Our coaching staff understands the football-wrestling connection and trains athletes to maximize both sports.

Your first practice is free. Bring your cleats mindset — leave the cleats at home.