Most of the time in America wrestling sessions end in conditioning and total exhaustion of the wrestlers. The training in Russia (drilling and wrestling) is very frequent but it is more like play. You come in, drill and wrestle live until you feel tired. Then you leave and come back as soon as you get some energy back, which is usually later in the day. Its basically called living in the wrestling room but here is the important part. Rather than getting in shape from doing conditioning so much, they get in shape UNCONSCIOUSLY by drilling and wrestling so frequently.

Also, there is something called efficiency vs conditioning. The more efficient you are with moves, the less conditioning you need to wrestle well.

Your point is very valid and goes hand in hand with the fact that wrestlers in Russia treat wrestling as a lifestyle and not as a job (as American wrestlers sometimes do). I was watching a few Russian practices (specifically Saitiev's) online, and in comparison to the American practices that I have observed, the Russians seemed more relaxed, more fluid, and working at a lower intensity but trying to get more comfortable and get a better feel with the technique.

I think the reason for this difference is folkstyle wrestling--wrestlers in America are thrown from high-school and college folkstyle straight into international freestyle. Though the two do share many similarities, there are differences and techniques that are specific to freestyle. Russians are learning and becoming familiar with said techniques from very young ages, and are therefore able to be more relaxed and look more comfortable in the room, while that intensity and repetitive drilling may be necessary for the Americans.

Good points. I experienced and watched practices in which conditioning, for conditioning's sake, was one third to one half of the practice. It made no sense to me then; and it makes less sense to me now. Wrestling practice should be for wrestling. Conditioning will help one of two equally skilled wrestlers prevail in a match; but the skills are what put the wrestler in the match to begin with.

If all they do is wrestle how do the kepp the intensity giong throughout the whole day

Originally Posted by sahota19

If all they do is wrestle how do the kepp the intensity giong throughout the whole day

Good question! I will give an analogy. Humans need a lot of energy to swim in the water but fishes don't mind doing it all day.

Month after month they drill and look for ways to be more efficient until they get to the point where there is no difference between sitting on the couch and drilling.

Originally Posted by Big

Good question! I will give an analogy. Humans need a lot of energy to swim in the water but fishes don't mind doing it all day.

Month after month they drill and look for ways to be more efficient until they get to the point where there is no difference between sitting on the couch and drilling.

Big, thanks for posting this thread. I've often wondered why some of the Russian wrestlers don't seem bulky like their American counterparts but have incredible skills; Satiev comes to mind. They are certainly conditioned but perhaps we're overdoing some things here and underdoing others.

Originally Posted by Big

Good question! I will give an analogy. Humans need a lot of energy to swim in the water but fishes don't mind doing it all day.

Month after month they drill and look for ways to be more efficient until they get to the point where there is no difference between sitting on the couch and drilling.

Big, weren't you 14 when you left Russia?
I know you said you HS coach was a high level Russian wrestler, but how are you really an expert on how the top Russians train?