It’s Here!

Posted on April 2, 2010 by Jon

Finally! This is one of those times we feel like yelling Finally!! It’s here!! YEEESSS! at the top of our lungs. This has been something that we’ve been looking and hoping to do for two years. We know that the off season is a very important time for wrestlers. It really is what makes the good wrestlers stand out from the rest. They’ll be going to camps, eating healthy and maintaining weight, they continue to work out. We are very excited to announce the very beginning of wrestlefattie.com’s entrance into the off season. And just in time, we might add. You might have seen us talk about it on Twitter or in previous posts. If not, here’s the deal.

Matt Krumrie, author of The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps

We’ve partnered with Matt Krumrie, author of The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps, a brand new book talking about how to select a good wrestling camp. Matt Krumrie is the former editor of TheWrestlingMall.com and has contributed to W.I.N Magazine, The Guillotine and IntermatWrestle.com. He has been a guest on TakedownRadio.com and covered numerous NCAA Division I wrestling championships. As a sports writer, Krumrie has had articles published in over 50 newspapers, magazines and web sites. He knows wrestling and what make s a good camp.

The books 120 pages go over everything from how camps can effect coaches and influence wrestlers for life to how the camps were changed forever by the J Robinson Intensive Camps. He’s spent countless hours interviewing not only High School coaches, but college coaches as well. He’s talked to the top individual wrestlers, including Ben Askren and Kevin Bracken, both of whom are Olympic Wrestlers. He’s talked with NCAA champions and amateur wrestlers and has even crossed the fence to talk with MMA fighters. Quoting InterMat:

The book delivers a true “insider perspective” on wrestling camps, bringing together interviews, comments, quotes and information from over 40 of the most informed and educated people involved in the sport of wrestling — high school and college coaches, all-time great wrestlers, and individuals who run camps, as well as youth and high school wrestlers and their parents. In other words, people who have experienced wrestling camps from just about every angle possible.

The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps is a one of a kind. It doesn’t endorse a single camp, yet at the same time it teaches. All other books that are close to being like it endorse a certain camp. “Sure, there are all the ads for wrestling camps at websites and in magazines, and all those slick brochures,” said Krumrie. “But they’re trying to sell you something. How do you separate hype from reality?”

“There needs to be a resource, to help folks decipher all this information.”

“Parents spend so much money for their wrestlers for things like wrestling camps,” Krumrie continued. “Camps can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars each. When a family sends multiple kids to camp, or multiple camps over the course of a summer, it really adds up.” Matt Krumrie shared an example from his personal experience of just how challenging it can be to make the right decisions. “I have a friend from college who never wrestled, but has three young sons who do. He was asking me, ‘Do I send all of them to the same camp? Or do I want them to join a year ’round wrestling club?’

WrestleFattie’s Goal

So what’s different about WrestleFattie’s partnership with Matt? Well, two years ago, we had the idea to make a list of all the camps in the nation. We didn’t know how or where to begin. Well, we heard about The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps through Twitter. We instantly thought of that idea we had two years ago. Matt gave us the kick in the butt/inspiration that we needed. We realized that there is a real need for help selecting wrestling camps to find schools near you. Our solution: check out our brand new Wrestling Camps page. This page, combined with the book, really will become the Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps. You’re able to buy the book directly off the site, but at the same time, we’re putting together a list of all the wrestling camps IN THE NATION for you to look at. Our goal? We want you to be able to find a good, quality wrestling camp within 5 hours of your own home. We figure that 5 hours is the limit of any parent to drive their high school wrestler to a wrestling camp.

So take a look at the Wrestling Camps page. Check out the book. You’ll thank Matt for spending a few years to write the book.

The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps on WrestleFattie

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Jon

We are very stoked to announce partnering with The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps! For two years now, we’ve been trying to put together a page with a list of wrestling camps. The Guide has given us an excuse to and taken it a step further. Without endorsing any camp in particular, it teaches coaches, wrestlers and parents how to find a good quality wrestling camp in your area. We are combining this valuable resource with our page (going to drop on Friday) that lists all the wrestling camps in each state. Our goal is to bring a summer wrestling camp within 3 hours of your home.

We’ll be dropping the page Friday at noon. By that time we’ll have at least one camp on every page, but we’ll keep adding the camps. If you know of one, send us the contact information. We are very stoked to offer this service to the wrestling community.

Every year wrestlers and parents have the same questions:

What camp should I send my wrestler to?
What offseason training program are you participating in?
Do you think a club would help my child become successful?
What do I need to do to become a state champion?
How do I know what the best camp is for the money?
When is the right age to go to camp?
How do I really know what each camp offers?

If you are a wrestler, or a parent of a wrestler, those thoughts have crossed your mind. That’s where The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps can help you. Why? Because the book answers those questions . With interviews, comments, quotes and information from over 40 of the most informed and educated people involved in the sport of wrestling, this book is not only an educational resource for wrestlers, it’s a valuable tool for parents who are trying to learn more about the training opportunities available for their son or daughter in many cases there are multiple children involved. It provides stories, tips and information for wrestlers of all ages, whether it’s the young wrestler just starting his or her career, the kid who wants to figure out how to make the starting lineup for the high school team or the wrestler who hopes to compete at the college level – it’s covered in this book.

Cool Sports Directory – Great Place to Get Gear for your Kids This Season

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Jon

I found this really cool sports directory the other day at pediro.com. It’s got everything from swimwear to football to yours truly – WrestleFattie! If you are looking for gear for your kid this season, you’ll want to check this site out. While your there, be sure to check out our listing for wrestling shoes, wrestling equipment and wrestling saftey gear.

If you are looking for gear for any other gear, be sure to check it out. Looks like they got it all!

Just a Couple Tips for Buying That New Pair of Wrestling Shoes

Posted on August 7, 2009 by Jon

Asics Ultratek Wrestling Shoes

It’s that time of the season again when wrestlers start looking for a new pair of shoes. We wanted to put something together to help people out to find the right pair of shoes for their feet, without spending a fortune. Let us know what you think and if you have any questions.

Finding The Correct Size

The first thing you should do is measure your foot to determine your normal shoe size. A typical pair of wrestling shoes will generally run one half to one full size larger than your normal shoes, depending on the brand that you choose. Check out our wrestling shoes sizing charts for more brand specific info. Keep in mind that your new wrestling shoes will probably stretch somewhat after a few practices and that they should fit fairly snugly.

Brand Selection

When shopping for wrestling shoes, you can put your trust in “battle tested brands” such as Asics, Adidas, Infinity, and Brute. A good quality-wrestling shoe will normally last a year or two; it all depends on how much you wrestle. Keep in mind that comfort is extremely important. Look for a shoe that features a good rubber sole and high ankle support. The higher quality wrestling shoes are made out of a lightweight material that breathes well. It is recommended that you try on several different brands to find the one best suited for you. Don’t hesitate to ask the salesperson for help. If you are still not sure which shoe to purchase, try to get a recommendation from your coach or your teammates.

If you are buying your wrestling shoes online, go to the store first to try them on. Once you know what kind you want, shop around to get an idea of pricing. Many times you can find a better deal (and selection) online than what you can find at your local sporting goods store.

Color and Style

Many manufacturers offer a wide selection of colors to choose from. Select a color that agrees with you and goes well with your other equipment.

Choose either a split sole or a non-split sole shoe. Split sole shoes have two pieces of rubber on the sole of the shoe, which tend to be a little more comfortable and provide better traction. It also makes the shoe more flexible as it is able to bend in the middle more. Non-split sole shoes have a single piece of rubber as the sole of the shoe, which provides for better stability and some will actually argue it has better traction.

Price

Wrestling shoes generally range in price from $30.00 up to $125.00. It is recommended that you purchase a more affordable style if you are new to the sport. If you are operating on a really tight budget, you may want to consider purchasing a used pair. You might even try to strike a deal on a used pair of shoes with one of your teammates.

A note to parents: if your child is new to the sport, we recommend that you save your money the first couple seasons before you go all out and get the best shoes on the market. Yes, shoes are some of the most important pieces of weapons in a wrestlers arsenal, but if they’re good, they’ll be able to function no matter what’s on their feet.

Some Key Points To Remember…

Your wrestling shoes must have a nice snug fit to them. Make sure that you have selected a pair that conforms to local rules and regulations. Many areas now say that the laces of shoes must be covered. It is easy to find a pair of shoes that covers the laces, or by a cover for them; or you can simply wrap athletic tape around them. Be aware of what the regulations are in your area before you make the purchase.

Anthony Robles: Is he Really That Good or do Others Not Take Advantage of his Leg?

Posted on April 10, 2009 by Jon

In case you have never seen Anthony Robles wrestle, I’ve put a video from YouTube here so that you can see him. You can also do a YouTube search for him or check out Anthony’s bio on ASU’s site.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGiQodgxFg0 /]

Now, before I begin this post, I don’t want to take away from any of his stats or what he’s been able to do for the sport of wrestling. I think back to when I wrestled and I know without a doubt that if I were in his shoes, I would NOT be on the mat. Having said that, I want to take a look at a wrestling match with Robles from the eyes of the dude wrestling him.

Anthony Robles upends Stanford's Tanner Gardner (photo from DailyLife.com)

First off, the most obvious. He’s missing a leg. That brings us to the second thing: just because he’s missing a leg doesn’t mean he’s disabled. Robles has the upper body strength of AT LEAST a 150 or 157 lb wrestler. He can bench – repping the bar – around 300 lbs. That’s a grip I do NOT want to tango with! So him not having a leg is his benefit at this point: he weighs 125 lbs but can grapple with Metcalf. Scary thought if your toe is on the line with him. He’s got the grip of an ox, and like the commentator said on the video, once he has it, he doesn’t let go.

Another thing that he has to his advantage is that he stays low to the mat. This makes it very hard, nearly impossible to shoot on him. As any coach knows, the first step to shooting in is setting up. The next thing is to change levels by dropping your hips to get under the dude’s hip. But how can you change level to get under when the dude is almost laying on the mat?

The other – very obvious thing – is you can’t do a double very well. You would just have to pick him up and turn the corner. Assuming of course that you solved to problem of changing levels. And how about a single? I think it would be better just to tackle the dude, or spear him. If you do that, though, be sure to bring him to the mat safely and to get your two points.

But how can someone use a one legged wrestler to their advantage. Well first off, Robles does a very good job at using it to HIS advantage. The first thing he does in all the matches I’ve seen is he drops to one knee. Now, if his opponent were to somehow draw Robles to him, and make him stand up, that would create two things. First, he would be a little off balance. Keep in mind, the kid played football, so he knows how to get around with just one leg. The other thing is something not so obvious but the commentator on the video brings out.

Anthony Robles escapes from a hold by Columbia's Brandon Kinney (photo from DailyLife.com)

When Robles is on the ground, he’s coiled up like a snake, using his back leg to spring forward. When his opponent gets within “striking range” he reaches out and grabs him, just like a snake. Only this snake isn’t going to let go. So if you get Robles to stand up, it takes away his ability to coil himself up on his leg like that.

So what sayest thou? Am I full of crap on all of this or are there really some things that puts Robles at a disadvantage because of his missing leg?

Again, I don’t want to take away from anything that Robles has done; he’s an All American wrestler and rightfully so. He deserves it. But if I had to go up against him, these are the things that I would try and do to have some sort of chance against him… Let me know what you think!

What in the WORLD?! Caldwell Beats Metcalf! Can it seriously be true?

Posted on March 24, 2009 by Jon

You know when you have those moments when you just say “Seriously? Really? Are you SERIOUS?” That’s about the reaction I had when I got back from California this weekend – a trip I had where I deliberatly didn’t have internet – and found out that Darrion Caldwell upset Brent Metcalf. For those of you who haven’t been paying attention to college wrestling in the past couple years, Metcalf, who wrestles for University of Iowa’s 149 lb spot, is not only the top ranked in the nation in 149, but is heralded as the second best wrestler in collegiate history, right behind Cael Sanderson. “Seriously?” One of the biggest upsets in college history. “Really?” Metcalf had a 69 win streak going into the match. The last time that he lost a match was actually to Caldwell back in early 2007. That’s right. Two years without a loss. “Are you SERIOUS?!” Yes, I’m serious.

So having not watched the match live and only being able to find a couple clips of it online, it looks like Caldwell was actually ahead by 6 points at one point. (Please correct me if I’m wrong on that one). Yes both wrestlers have grown since that point, but going into the match, no one gave Caldwell a second thought. Virtually all thoughts were that Metcalf would pull ahead as the winner. So what are your thoughts? Is Caldwell the better wrestler or was it a fluke? “He’s human,” Caldwell said. “It was a wrestling match. It was not like he had a gun and me a knife.” This was very obviously a well-matched fight. Metcalf knew it and didn’t make any excuses: “I looked at it as I had to go in and take it away from him, not just go in there and expect things to happen because I’m Brent Metcalf, because I wrestle hard. That is not enough,” Metcalf said.

So what say you? Who’s the better wrestler? Or smarter wrestler? Everyone, including myself, has been building up Metcalf like none other. Is he still the best? Here’s the best video I could find. Let me know what you think!

I just found the other video and I’m updating this post. Here it is!

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNY4VW6Bi3U /]

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI2j0fZOpIQ /]

How to Buy a Wrestling Mat

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Jon

Buying a wrestling mat is probably one of the most important – and most costly things – that your wrestling team or club is going to buy. They can range from $4.50 a square foot down to $1.50 per square foot. Because it is measured by square foot, it is easy to see how you can get very pricey very fast. Think floor space, then wall space and if you have any support columns, you’ll want to cover those as well. An average high school wrestling mat is between 32′ x 32′ and 40′ x 40′. Plug in the cost for the smaller, cheaper, mat and your running $1,500. For the larger, new wrestling mat, it would be $7,200. That’s just for the floor. At those prices, you better know what you’re doing when you buy a new wrestling mat. To help out, we’ve written this up. Hope it helps!

Continue reading →

WIN Magazine’s new rankings have got a couple surprises!

Posted on January 6, 2009 by Jon

Dallas Herbst, Sr. Wisconsin (3rd)

Be sure to check out WIN Magazine’s new rankings. They’ve surprised a few people. First off, the not big news stuff. All three DIV I teams from Northern Iowa are in the top 25. IOU is number one and Iowa State is number 2. Northern Iowa is at No. 23.

The surpises are as follows…

At 197 lbs, the top three are 1. Craig Brester, Jr. Nebraska (2nd) 2. Dallas Herbst, Sr. Wisconsin (3rd) 3. Jake Varner, Jr. Iowa State (1st). (The second number is the place they are coming from). The Last time that Varner wasn’t placed at number one was back in Feb of 2007. Dallas Herbst beat Varner in the Midlands championships, which caused the dance around. Be sure to keep your eye on these three in the coming year!

Jake Varner, Jr. Iowa State (1st)

If you are interested in the WIN magazine at all, go ahead and get it. It’s an amazing magazine with articles written by people who not only know the sport, they eat, breath, sleep and dream about it. You can check it out the website here or you can simply order here. Take your pick!

So I’ve been thinking about Wrestling Camps

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Jon

Man, it seems like today is Friday. Probably because tomorrow I won’t be coming into work. SWEET!! I don’t think it’s coming fast enough though. Wish I could get home so I can do nothing. Would be nice!

So anyways, I’ve been thinking about wrestling camps. They help out wrestlers of all levels progress and they are all over the nation. You can choose from a huge number of instructors from High School state and national champs to NCAA national champs to Olympians such as Rulon Gardner, Cael Sanderson and Ken Chertow. So we haven’t been able to set anything up yet, but we are looking into it. So stay tuned for more on wrestling camps!

Cael Wrestling Shoes by Asics

Posted on November 6, 2008 by Jon

A lot of people are asking “What is a good wrestling shoe? And why is it good?” Well, take a look at one of the best, if not THE best, NCAA wrestler in history. The guys got four titles, and went undefeated all four years of college. That had better shorten your list of possible candidates to one person – Cael Sanderson. So why take a look at the best wrestler if we are looking for the best wrestling shoes?

Well, Cael has partnered with Asics wrestling shoes and has come out with his own line of wrestling shoes. The line is short and simple; Cael wrestling shoes. Can’t get much simpler than that!! If you think that one of the best wrestlers in America makes one of the best wrestling shoes in America, you’re right on the money.

And just like the title, these shoes have only what you need and nothing of the extras while still maintaining the support and comfort that you need when you shoot in on your opponent. It’s upper is made of Ecsaine, something that is like suede but so much better. Take suede and enhance it so it’s more flexible and breathable, while at the same time being much more durable; that’s Ecsaine!

It’s sole is the common Asics UniSole technology that is so typical of Asics wrestling shoes. Without getting too deep into the debate about UniSole vs Split Sole, this sole is designed to give you the maximum mat coverage your foot can handle. This leads to increased friction which translates to increased grip. For those who have used both soles, you’ll quickly notice that you loose very little flexibility with the UniSole but gain a lot more support.

These are only some of the benefits of the shoe. On the list are also:

1. Integrated lace cover
2. Three-Dimensional Lasting
3. Conforms to high-school, collegiate and international regulations and guidelines.

Be sure to check this shoe out while we still have it!! If you are interested in all the colors that we offer, you can download them and unzip them for yourself to see them!!

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