Wrestler teaches others mat work
Wrestler Cayden Henschel gets his hand raised in victory. • Photos Submitted
By Tom Victoria
College wrestler Cayden Henschel has a hold on teaching youth to become skilled grapplers.
Via YouTube, Cayden, 19, demonstrates numerous moves to instruct others on how to be better prepared for matches.
“Technique is very important,” he said.
Cayden, a freshman at University of Wisconsin-Parkside recommends becoming adept at a set number of moves rather than try to learn to do too many.
“So you can perfect it,” he said.
On the defensive side, Cayden cited control of an opponent’s hands to prevent being pinned.
He explained neither offense nor defense is necessarily harder to learn than the other.
“Wrestling is almost all offense,” Cayden said. “So even defense, you’re still trying to score.”
According to Cayden, a wrestler needs to be ready for anything.
“Once you step in the wrestling circle,” he said. “That’s an organized fight.”
Cayden explains a move he will demonstrate.
Cayden cautioned less experienced grapplers to not take any match or opponent for granted.
“Have respect for your opponent,” he said.
Cayden said grapplers become known for having their own set of moves.
“Wrestler have different repertoires,” he said.
Cayden explained a wrestler must simultaneously be on the offense and defense. There are no timeouts and stalling is penalized with points.
Preparation plays such a pivotal role, Cayden said, because it’s difficult for a wrestler to hear the coaches during a match.
“It’s really all up to you,” he said.
In addition to a bout being a physical test, there is a mental aspect as well. Cayden pointed out a wrestler can be broken mentally.
“They want to quit,” he said.
Cayden said such moves as a spladle - in which a wrestler bends the opponent’s legs up to the shoulders in less than flattering fashion - may not always result in a pin, but always impact the recipient’s willpower.
Cayden demonstrates a toss to the mat.
One video making the rounds on YouTube shows a wrestler being taken down repeatedly until he gives up and makes no effort to prevent further takedowns. Presumably feeling disrespected, the offensive wrestler pushed his opponent’s head to the mat. Fueled by frustration, the humbled grappler smacks the other in the head, leading to a disqualification.
Although wrestlers generally seem to demonstrate better self-control than their counterparts on the football field or basketball court, Cayden said wrestling is not exempt from short fuses.
“I guess it depends on the team,” he said. “But just like any other sport, there’s always hotheads.”
Cayden pointed out the distinction in being a wrestler than an athlete in another sport.
“Wrestlers know how tough their sport is,” he said. “And it takes a certain type of person to stand across from someone who wants to take their will.”
Cayden can’t recall a time when he didn’t have a passion for the sport, competing at a young age.
“I started in first grade,” he said.
Cayden eventually became a takedown artist as it was not easy for him to turn opponents for a pin. In wrestling, a match can be won by winning more points if neither competitor can score a pin.
Cayden lunges for the advantage.
Cayden became a standout at his Wisconsin high school. Between his sophomore and junior years, he started filming videos when he realized had not seen anyone else demonstrating technique.
“I thought no one’s doing wrestling,” Cayden said.
The channel starting picking up steam.
“Once I started getting views, I started teaching more,” Cayden said.
He said continuing the sport at the collegiate level has been an adjustment as the competition is stiffer. Among the work Cayden’s doing is trying to become more skilled at turning the opponent.
Cayden (Filter-enhanced promotional photo)
Even after Cayden obtains a degree in marketing, he wants to keep wrestling. He cited Olympic trials and U.S. Opens among the options available for graduates.
“We’ll see when we get there,” Cayden said.
He also does not plan on stopping his YouTube posting anytime.
“I love making my videos,” Cayden said.
Wrestling is known for athletes toughing it out. American Kurt Angle won an Olympic gold medal with a broken neck. Cayden recalled a wrestler continuing to grapple with a broken ankle.
“He still competed,” Cayden said.
He said one of the benefits of wrestling is the competitor develops accountability. Bad matches and practices may be inevitable, but that should not keep anyone down, said Cayden.
“There’s always tomorrow,” he said. “Every day is a new day.”
He said the key is setting goals.
“If you don’t have goals, you don’t have direction,” Cayden said.
He encouraged any youth considering wrestling to give it a try.
“It’ll be one of the best decisions if they do,” Cayden said. “It teaches you what you put in, you get out.”
The link to Cayden’s YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ8kRL8S3O-XBdgirSUDiHQ