No wrestler wants to be stepping on his own feet or displaying robotic tendencies when going in for a shot or countering an opponent’s move. According to Cliff Moore, assistant coach for nationally ranked Edinboro University, the Scots work on their timing to eliminate such awkward-looking movements. “You can have the best technique in the world, but if you don’t have proper timing, nothing you try will work,” he says.

To improve their timing, Moore makes his guys work at full speed during drills. He explains: “When we drill, we make sure the partner works his guy like it’s a competitive match, because you can only work on your timing going full speed. Drilling also works on conditioning, and if a wrestler isn’t conditioned, his timing will be off.”

Here, Moore lays out his dos and don’ts for working on timing through drilling.

Do

• Simulate a live match as much as possible
• Use the same technique and moves you would in a match
• Stay athletic and low in your stance
• Always attack forward
• Hit your moves explosively and all at once

Don’t

• Take steps backward
• Hit moves going step by step
• Go through the motions and end up sacrificing your conditioning level
• Let your partner dictate the moves or get in better position than you
• Use moves you wouldn’t use in a live match

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