Concept Of 9 Hands For Wrestling And Swimming

Courtesy of WOWSA Live, Dallas Texas.

Andre Metzger was inducted in the Class of 2017 as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He won two NCAA titles for the University of Oklahoma and was a freestyle world medalist winning numerous international events over the course of his career. At this Wrestling Hall of Fame induction, he was introduced as, “one of the greatest technicians in amateur wrestling history. He wrestled and won more matches than anyone, competing in over 2,000 matches and winning 1,970 for an estimated winning percentage of 93.5%.”

Today, he talked about the 9 Hands Principle and touched upon a concept where he believes wrestlers – and not surprisingly swimmers too – should think about using their 9 “hands” to maximize their effectiveness: their head (“cerebral hand”), 2 feet, 2 knees, 2 elbows, and 2 hands.

In discussions with Olympic swim coach Chris Morgan on WOWSA Live, he talked about how approximately 80% of an athlete’s body weight is in their head and torso with approximately 14% of the remainder in their legs and only 6% in their arms. But it is the arms which provide most of the propulsion for swimmers, especially those without much of a kick.

He also talked about the 5 senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. But he also explains the senses of proprioception (spatial awareness) and pressure (sense of force) that are so important for efficient swimming through the water.


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