A lot has been said about the now infamous ranking….
Dabo Swinney, Clemson's head football coach, ranking the Ohio State Buckeyes #11 in the last coaches poll….then by not really a coincidence, the two teams drawing each other for the college football playoff semifinals.
And of course, the residual beatdown by said #11 team over the hapless Tigers.
For Ohio State, you can bet they plastered that #11 all over their locker room as motivation.
The truth is, there are a lot of #11’s out there with the skill level to topple even the top-ranked athletes.
Its never more true anywhere than in wrestling.
Especially in the current Covid-era rankings.
Its always amazing how many wrestlers, and parents, and coaches – get caught up in rankings, seedings, and what-not.
I’ve even heard coaches try to console their wrestler after a loss with, “its okay – he’s ranked #3!”
Like the rankings themselves were responsible for any of the points whatsoever.
A better approach: Look at how you can impose your will on opponents – sharpening your skills in your system of wrestling – being as unstoppable at what you do, as possible.
Hence, this to a leg wrestler: If you get the legs in, and your opponent can’t counter it…it won’t matter what his ranking is.
Or put another way: you can beat all the kids who can’t counter what you’re good at. All you have to do is impose Your will on Every opponent.