The Hard Position Embrace
Attitude
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- movement path
How it works
Teach young wrestlers to stay positive and keep working when placed in a disadvantaged position on the mat.
What you need
- wrestling mat
Your focus
Young athletes often shut down or become upset when placed in difficult positions during practice , this drill reframes hard positions as opportunities rather than failures. Experiencing controlled difficulty in a safe setting builds the emotional resilience foundational to a growth mindset in sport. Learning to keep moving when it's hard is a skill that transfers directly to competitive match situations.
Partner places wrestler in a controlled disadvantaged position (e.g., on bottom with a simple hold).
Coach explains: 'Your job is to never stop moving, keep fighting for position even if you don't escape.'
Wrestler works for 20 seconds, focused on continuous effort rather than the outcome.
Debrief as a group: ask wrestlers how it felt, and reinforce that working hard in hard spots is exactly what champions do.
Helpful cues
- Never stop moving your feet and hips
- A hard position is just a chance to show your attitude
- Keep your head up, looking down means giving up
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Use a very light hold so the wrestler can feel success through movement.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Increase hold duration to 30 seconds and add a slightly more secure control.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.