Brian Antonelli's Blair Academy Wrestling Series: Tie-Ups

with Brian Antonelli,
Blair Academy Head Wrestling Coach;
2019 NHSCA National High School Wrestling Coach of the Year;
since taking over as head coach in 2014, has led Blair Academy to National Prep Team Titles from 2015 through 2019;
#1 ranking in the USA for 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018 and 2018-2019

How wrestlers deal with tie ups can make or break the results of their match, which is why you want to ensure your athletes know how to prevail in every tie up situation. Blair Academy head coach Brian Antonelli has put together this video with the goal of helping coaches like you get better at teaching tie ups. He covers numerous tie up drills and techniques in a 'for-the-viewer' setting, before providing footage from a live Blair Academy practice session focused on tie ups.

Tie Up Drills

Before progressing into the more technical aspects of tie ups, Coach Antonelli starts by having wrestlers drill good habits, including walking in without touching, beating the opponent inside when their hands come up, and circling to get the opponent to react. Once good habits are established, Antonelli progresses into a series of drills, including:

• Steering Wheel
• Clear Collar Tie
• Clear Underhook
• Clear 2-on-1
• Clear 2-on-1 (Swing)
• Clear Wrists
• Clear Wrists - Baseball
• Clear Wrists - High Crotch

To conclude this segment, Coach Antonelli explains why his team spends so much time on tie ups and dealing with opponents who try to keep their distance.

Live Practice

Next, Antonelli goes into a full group session focused on improving tie ups. The Blair Academy wrestlers work on important concepts like changing levels, inside control, clearing from various positions, and using their best attacks.

Do you feel like your wrestlers need to improve their tie up skills? If so, then this video featuring Coach Antonelli will equip you and your team with the drills and techniques to get better!

43 minutes. 2020.