Football season is in full swing across Southern Utah, and as a dedicated parent, you’re constantly looking for ways to give your young athlete an edge. You want them to dominate the field, build confidence, stay safe, and truly excel. What if we told you the single best training they could do for football… doesn’t involve a football at all?
Welcome to the surprising truth: wrestling is the ultimate cross-training for youth football players.
Here at Shootbox Wrestling, Southern Utah’s premier year-round wrestling club, we’ve seen countless athletes transform their game after stepping onto the wrestling mat. Forget endless drills; wrestling builds core athletic traits that translate directly into explosive plays, tougher tackles, and undeniable field presence.
Let’s break down how wrestling will make your child an unstoppable force on the gridiron:
1. Become an Unstoppable Tackler & Blocker (Leverage & Body Control)
Football is all about control – controlling your opponent, controlling space, and controlling your own body. Wrestling is the master class in all three. Think about it: a well-executed double-leg takedown in wrestling is fundamentally the same movement as a textbook football tackle. It’s about getting low, driving with your hips, maintaining balance, and wrapping up.
Wrestling teaches your child how to:
- Generate Power from the Hips: The foundation of a strong tackle or block.
- Maintain Balance: Stay on your feet through contact.
- Control an Opponent: Learn to dictate movement and leverage.
- Finish the Play: Drive through the contact to bring the opponent down or open a lane.
This isn’t just theory; it’s practical, repeatable skill development that minimizes head-on collisions and maximizes effectiveness.
Don’t just take our word for it. Wondering how wrestling skills specifically help a lineman versus a running back? Listen to Super Bowl-winning quarterback and elite coach Trent Dilfer as he provides an expert, position-by-position breakdown of why wrestling is a game-changer for football players.
2. Develop Explosive Power & Functional Strength
Football demands an incredible amount of explosive power. Whether it’s bursting off the line, breaking a tackle, or driving a defender, strength is paramount. Unlike static weightlifting, wrestling builds dynamic, “farm boy” strength that’s immediately transferable to the football field.
Every movement in wrestling – pushing, pulling, lifting, sprawling, escaping – targets essential muscle groups in the hands, core, back, legs, and neck. This kind of strength is functional, meaning it’s built to perform under pressure and intense athletic demand. You’ll see your child develop:
- Unrivaled Grip Strength: Crucial for holding blocks and making tackles.
- Powerful Core & Hips: The engine for all athletic movement.
- Relentless Endurance: The ability to maintain high-intensity effort for all four quarters.
If you want your child to be a more confident and effective tackler, this is a must-watch. Former Ohio State and NFL linebacker Anthony Schlegel passionately explains the raw, immediate connection between the skills learned on the mat and pure dominance on the football field.
3. Master Footwork, Agility & Balance
Football players need to be agile, quick, and balanced. From running backs cutting on a dime to linemen adjusting their feet for leverage, superior footwork makes all the difference. Wrestling cultivates these exact attributes in a dynamic, reactive environment.
The constant shifting, sprawling, shooting, and scrambling in wrestling directly translates to:
- Lightning-Fast Changes of Direction: Evade defenders or get to the ball carrier faster.
- Exceptional Balance: Stay on your feet through contact, shed blocks, and maintain control.
- Explosive First Steps: Get off the line quicker.
- Fluid Movement: Seamlessly transition between offense and defense.
Wrestling teaches athletes to move their feet intelligently and react instinctively, giving them a significant advantage on the football field.
4. Forge Unbreakable Mental Toughness & Discipline
Beyond the physical, football is a mental game. When the fourth quarter hits, or the pressure is on, mental toughness can separate good players from great ones. Wrestling is a crucible for the mind. It’s one-on-one, with no one else to blame or rely on.
This intense personal accountability builds:
- Resilience: The ability to push through discomfort and overcome adversity.
- Discipline: The commitment to practice hard, learn from mistakes, and stay focused.
- Problem-Solving: Thinking quickly under pressure to react and adapt.
- Unwavering Confidence: Knowing you’ve conquered challenging situations on your own.
These are the qualities that make a leader on the football field – a player who never gives up and inspires their teammates.
Success in football is about more than just physical skill; it’s about building championship character. Hear from current NFL Head Coach Sean McDermott, a two-time National Prep wrestling champion, as he explains how the lessons of discipline and grit he learned on the mat shaped his entire life and career.
5. A Surprising Key to Football Safety
As a parent, your child’s safety is paramount. You might wonder if wrestling is a safe sport, but in fact, it can significantly reduce the risk of injury in football. How?
Wrestling teaches:
- Body Awareness & Control: Kids learn how to fall properly, how to absorb impact, and how to control their own body in chaotic situations.
- Joint Stability & Strength: The rigorous training strengthens the muscles and connective tissues around joints, making them more resilient to twists and impacts.
- Safe Contact Principles: Instead of uncontrolled collisions, wrestling emphasizes leverage, positioning, and controlled takedowns, translating into safer football techniques.
By understanding body mechanics and mastering controlled contact, your child is better equipped to protect themselves when the action gets intense on the football field.
The Ultimate Proof: From Wrestling Mat to NFL Glory
Few players in history have matched the intensity and power of Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis. What was the foundation of his legendary dominance? He credits the leverage, endurance, and relentless mindset he forged as a two-time Florida state champion wrestler. While the official NFL video can’t be shown here, click the image below to watch his incredible story on YouTube.
And if you need one final, unbelievable example, look no further than Stephen Neal. He was a World Champion wrestler who never played a single down of college football. So how did he go on to become a starting offensive lineman and a 3-time Super Bowl champion for the New England Patriots? He credits one thing: wrestling.
Give Your Football Player The Ultimate Off-Season Advantage in Southern Utah!
Wrestling isn’t just another sport; it’s a foundational athletic program that profoundly enhances a football player’s abilities, character, and safety. While others wait for next season, your child can build the skills that will make them stand out.
The work for football season starts now. At Shootbox Wrestling, our program is designed to give football players a competitive edge, whether it’s in the middle of their season or the beginning of their off-season. Athletes can join us now for in-season cross-training to sharpen their skills for the playoffs, or jump in as soon as their season ends to build a powerful foundation for next fall. We welcome players whenever their schedule allows, whether that’s now or after a championship run.
Don’t let this opportunity pass!
Ready to see the difference? Give us a call at (435) 773-7100 to learn more about our programs and schedule. We invite you to bring your son or daughter in for a free trial class and witness the powerful benefits of wrestling firsthand!
Shootbox Wrestling: Building Champions On and Off the Mat, and On the Field.