While it’s not exactly a full-blown format change, we do switch things up just a little bit for episode 20 of The Five Point Move Podcast.
Fresh from a nine-day stay in Germany, co-World Team head coach Spenser Mango breaks down what he saw out of his athletes at the German Grand Prix as well as how the trip offered more encouragement than meets the eye thanks in large part to the massive training camp following the event. In addition, Coach Mango shares his perspective on the Team’s confidence, and the recovery and adjustments needing to be addressed before the extensive National camp begins early next month. Episode 20 represents Mango’s fourth appearance on the program.
After that it is 2016 Olympian and current World Team member Jesse Thielke (63 kg, NYAC/LOG) in a segment that was recorded prior to the US delegation leaving for Europe. Even still, everything included in the conversation remains relevant. Thielke discusses a few of the bigger highlights he experienced this season along with what his training has entailed leading up to this point in the summer. But as soon as the wrestling-related questions are through the real fun begins — Thielke and co-host Dennis Hall go head-to-head in our first ever 5PM Trivia Battle to see which one of the two Wisconsinites knows their home state better. Feel free to play along as you listen and if you have any ideas for Hall/Thielke Round 2, definitely let us know.
A few highlights
Mango on why he prefers foreign training camps to take place after a tournament instead of before
“A lot of times when you go ‘camp first’, a lot of guys are kind of sandbagging or trying to cut weight instead of wrestling hard. This time, we got the tournament out of the way and I feel like there was a lot more value in the camp because you had the foreigners willing to open up and work with our guys, show them little things that they do. I feel like it was a lot more productive overall because no one was worried about losing any weight, and I guess it was a lot friendlier of an atmosphere.”
Hall on fans confused by Greco’s rule-set
“I think a lot of the people are tired because the rules keep on changing year-in and year-out, and guys keep on trying to adjust to the rules instead of just worrying about scoring points. I think that hurts Greco in general. I think referees giving away points instead of guys earning them hurts the sport, too, because it makes guys wrestle more cautiously since they’re hoping they get the call from the referee.”
Thielke on training his match plan/offensive chains for the Worlds at Vegas camp
“I liked it. I’m a student of the sport, student of the game. I guess for me, it was just another day at the office. I’m a big fan. But some guys don’t know. I’d ask some of our young guys after practice, What’s your go-to on your feet? What’s your go-to control tie? What’s your go-to lift? Turn? Gut? Some of them had no idea and that is a problem. No matter how you feel about it, that’s a problem. You’ve got to know. You have to know.”
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