i have noticed it over the past few years and lookin at matches from older years that wrestlers today are more technical and better wrestlers than the average wrestler in 1990 i dont know if this is just the style or are we really getting better

Are you fishing for a bite or just running your mouth. This is being discussed in at least two other areas.

Wrestling styles change over the years. Counters are figured out to moves and then new moves are used to counter the counters. Then once those moves are countered more moves are used and the cycle keeps going until it starts completely over to where the original moves start working again. Wrestling is an always changing sport, but the doesn't neccessarily mean the average wrestler of today is better than they were in the early 90's.

I’m old! I would say that there are more good wrestlers now, not more great wrestlers by any means. The “greats” will hold their own with any time or place! In my opinion (which doesn’t amount to much) with the formation of quality kids clubs around the state over the last twenty years, kids have better coaching and opportunities available to them then they had thirty years ago. If you are a second or third generation wrestler you're going to be better than your predecessors. The coaches now, are guys that learned the sport from legends (Coach Welton comes to mind) There are “secrets” that are passed down through this process. Great high school coaches don’t have to spend as much time on concept of the sport as they used to. Not saying that kids with little or no experience can’t be great wrestlers it just helps if some of the tools are in place. Look at the top high school programs around the state and I will show you a good junior club in the neighborhood!

i think in the early 80's and 90's wrestlers were more physical meaner. today its more about technique and quicker wrestlers , fundamentals. thats my thoughts for what its worth.

Wichita South???

There are always exceptions to the rules... but look at the coaching at south! Where do you suppose Coach Church mastered his game? South had a good year last year... and they have always had a hand full of good wrestlers over the years. But these guys still have access to Wichita programs or summer wrestling. Coach Church's success is attributed to his predecessors and mentors, he just didn't walk up and say "geez I'm a wrestling Coach" now what?

I hope the average wrestler is getting better! I think every sport should progress over time, with all the camps, wieght training and off season wrestling thats available that wasnt there in the 80s and early 90s the average wrestler should be a little better. And know that a lot of kids specialize in one or at most two sports the average kid should be a little better than in years past. But the great wrestlers and the top tier guys would have been great no matter when they wrestled.

Kudos, this is exactly what happens.

I think conditioning used to be way better, but I think flashiness has gotten more evident now and more wild moves and funk rather than solid technique. Computers, video games, and other factors are to blame as to why a 140 lb guy without asthma takes several lung injury timeouts these days.

While the greats could compete in any era and kids are more technical do to increased opportunites to wrestle, wrestlers in 1990 were a much tougher breed of kid. I'll take the average 1990 wrestler over the average 2006 wrestler any day.

I would have to disagree, i think today's wrestler is overall a better athlete, just due to better training and technique. Do i think some of the old school guys would be "tougher" sure but not better wrestlers

I know a fat out of shape 33 year old 1990 wrestler that could prove otherwise at any weight right now.

Technique and conditioning have replaced strength and "toughness" when it comes to wrestling. It used to be that the guy who could physically beat down an opponent would win most of the time. Now, less physical guys who have unstoppable technique and can wrestling deep into the third period are the guys to beat. The "average" guys are the who haven't figured that out yet.

Best post on this subject yet!

They were physically meaner cause they don't let nearly half the stuff go that that used to. I wish it was like college wrestlinbg where two guys just go out there and beat the crap outta each other and whoever can take the biggest beating and still win is the better wrestler.

Which college wrestling is that? True, D-I college wrestlers are pretty physical, but they are also technical wizards and in incredible shape. Think about Bunch, Robeson, Johnston — that's how they beat people; with technique and conditioning. It's not about who can take the biggest beating.

ive noticed that wrestling is turning into a smarter more skillful game instead of big guys wipin blood on theirself to look tougher

The average kid/wrestler is not a better athlete, he is only bigger because medicine and whatever hormones we are putting in food these days are making kids bigger. When a finely toned athlete comes up against someone who trying to take his arms off and is roughing him up, do you really think the technique and conditioning athlete is going to win, I don't think so. If the average wrestler is so good, then explain why there are so many repeat champions. You have to have technique and conditioning, but in the end give me a wrestler from 1990.

zachman....heck, with blood rules being what they are they took that away.

And yes, wrestling is a lot more about skill, speed and conditioning than it used to be. The physical guys might be able to beat on the average kid, but the best wrestlers will beat the most physical/less skilled kid nine out of 10 times.