Are there collegiate wrestling classes in California just like judo or karate classes?

Question

I am no longer in an academic environment but am interested in collegiate wrestling. There are plenty of Asian martial arts and mixed martial arts studios, but what if I just wanted to learn Western wrestling techniques (half nelson, full nelson, pindowns, etc.)?

Answer 1

This site will help http://www.ca-usaw.org/links.html. also go to your local MMA gym and ask the guys there.  A lot of wrestlers move on to MMA.

Answer 2

Actually, California is one of the top wrestling states in the country after Ohio and Oregon respectively.  Because of the rigorous standards, the training in Collegiate Catch is actually even more brutal than American Judo or Karate, and almost as brutal as Japanese Judo training.  Trust me though "almost" as brutal as Japanese Judo training is brutal enough to weed out most people.  Its unpleasant in Jr. High, I heard it was h**l in high school, so likely Collegiate is something out of your worst nightmares.  One of the exercises is carrying someone from your weight class on your back, and running 400 yards with them.  Boy were those "fun....."

I ran my mouth to a college wrestler once, and he told me that to earn his respect, I had to run with a dude on my back for 400 yards like they did.  I kinda had to; not wise to p**s off a wrestler, even if he weighed 120 lbs.  Hey man, I KNOW size doesn't matter where there is a gulf of skill difference......

He told me, that actual training was far more brutal; I think college wrestlers do 500 push ups, they frog jump across the gym a total of 10 times, or around it, depending on how its set up, I think they also do close to 1,000 dive bombers, in addition to set, after set of pull ups.  If you do not get in shape first, and any catch wrestlers you find train the way they trained in college, you'll be carried out of their gym on a stretcher just from the warmup.

You've been warned; other dudes seemed to have extended an invitation so, just rely on them as to where to go.

good luck.

Answer 3

ok, full nelsons are not permitted in "collegiate" or freestyle wrestling.

I would imiagine that there might be seminars you might be able to attend, I don't live in california but wrestling is generally something approached through the academic process first- then continued if you have promise to go further.

just check around but i cant imagine it would be a very easy thing to find a private club that is not based around a school that would be "beginner" level.

maybe if you post an add on craig's list you might get a responce from a former college level wrestler who could give you lessons if you can't find anything else- it shouldnt' be too hard to find someone who wrestled in college, the problem would be where would you train.

Answer 4

I think jujitsu and judo are going to be much easier to find as far as classes go.  You will learn plenty of pinning and groundwork.  It seems that those who enjoy wrestling beyond high school compete under NCAA.  That's not something you simply walk into.  

You might want to look up any freestyle or greco-roman wrestling clubs in your area.  Contact local high school coaches they'll point you in the right direction.  

I think getting into jujitsu and judo may be a bit safer and more applicable to self defense than wrestling initially because you will be paired with people of similar ability.  In a sense you get eased into learning tactics, strategy, and technique, where as in wrestling, the initial intensity may be a bit much because the many of the people you practice with probably have been training 10 hours a week since they were 5.  Tapping out in wrestling when you've had enough is generally done too late because submission is never an objective.  This also may increase the likelihood of getting injured.

Seriously consider judo or jujitsu.

Answer 5

YOu can join a wrestling club here in California.  A lot of former wrestlers gt together and have wrestling clubs and we have a bunch in CA.

http://www.ca-usaw.org/clubs/search.html