Life Lessons from Wrestling: Staying in the Pocket

There’s a phrase in boxing called “staying in the pocket.”

It’s the point where you are close enough to your opponent to receive punches, even heavy ones, but it’s also the point where you are best able to deliver heavy punches too.

The same applies to wrestling. Being in the pocket means you are close enough to shoot and score but also close enough for opponent to as well.

Staying in the pocket requires a lot of grit and trust in yourself, as it is where you are most likely to succeed but also most likely to fail.

Why Staying in the Pocket is Important

It is the epitome of risk versus reward, but any risk is minimized by your level of skill, your confidence in preparation, and your level of perseverance when you start receiving punches in the pocket.

Staying in the pocket is important for more than just boxing and wrestling. Staying in the pocket in life means putting ourselves in a place of risking huge failure but at the opportunity for huge success. The difference between failing hugely or succeeding hugely is determined by your ability, preparation, confidence, and perseverance.

Minimizing Risk and Persevering

As the saying goes, “more risk equals more reward.” But risk is made smaller by the attitude you enter with, committing to persevere even if you do fail, and being fully prepared to both execute and troubleshoot.

You will inevitably take damage there but you have to be tough enough to take it, shoulder the load, and execute under pressure.

In whatever battles you face, remember that success comes from staying in the pocket and trusting yourself.

Take your shot.