To win you have to believe you can win. A lot of people say “I will believe it when I see it”, but in wrestling you have to believe first. You have to have self-confidence in yourself and your technique. It isn’t how much technique you know, it is being able to execute the techniques you do know better than your opponent. You have to control the action and pace of the match to fit your game plan. I believe “a champion has the ability to impose his will upon his opponent at his discretion”.

Saying all of this is fine but how do we implement it? The best place to start is in the practice room. Learn to stay focused on the tasks at hand. Fully concentrate on skills and drills of the day. Pay attention to detail as you execute technique. If you drill imperfectly you will then execute with the same flaws. Be a good partner so that your partner will understand you need the same from him, always giving an honest reaction to bring realism into the interaction. Be a leader in the room, don’t be outworked. Always look to the next action and don’t let a mistake or losing a given situation such as a takedown cause you to lose concentration on the task of the day, which is to leave the room better than you entered it.

When you are committed and accountable to doing things right, doing all the extra’s, putting a 100% into each day, you gain confidence and believe you deserve to win and expect to win.