Watch as Coach Mitch Minotti demonstrates how to bring the opponent to the mat while in a front headlock. He shows that while you have the opponent in a front headlock, you maintain full control […]
Scoring From Ties with Bryan Snyder – Univ. of Nebraska
Watch as Coach Bryan Snyder explains that after you are comfortable clearing ties, the focus should be on scoring from those ties. He demonstrates three attacks from the collar tie: the hard snap, eastern shrug, […]
Parents and Guardians
By: Rainer Martens & Robin S. Vealey Originally Published in: Successful Coaching Many coaches find that the most challenging relationship to manage is their relationship with their athletes’ parents. This includes guardians, but we will […]
Reading Your Opponent’s “Tells” From the Top Position with Chris Pendleton – Oregon State Univ.
Watch as Coach Chris Pendleton explains, and demonstrates reading your opponent’s “tells” from the top position. When the opponent is in the referee’s position you can read the tell on what the opponent is going […]
Knee Slides with Austin DeVoe – Colorado School of Mines
Watch as Coach Austin DeVoe explains that the knee slides series is one of the most important parts of bottom work. This move is good for any wrestler no matter what size, shape, or quickness. […]
Counterattack: Far Ankle, Far Hand with Dave Crowell – Nazareth Area High School (PA)
Watch as Coach Dave Crowell explains and demonstrates this far ankle, far hand counterattack. When the opponent’s knee goes down, reach to the far ankle and slide, step up, and push in. If you can’t […]
Takedowns: Put Your Opponent in Danger with Teyon Ware – Univ. of Northern Colorado
Watch as Coach Teyon Ware explains and demonstrates how to follow through on takedowns to put your opponent in danger. Too often, after a successful shot, the opponent is allowed to escape. He emphasizes not […]
Model, Teach, Test, Reward with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development
Watch as Stephen Mackey discusses how leadership is critical in the teaching progression of athletes. He explains “Model, Teach, Test, Reward” as a method of teaching that produces results. How you work as a coach […]
How Coaches Can Develop an OUTSTANDING Working Relationship With Your AD
By: Kevin M. Bryant, CMAA Many times, in my 35-year career in college and high school athletic administration I have heard coaches share their frustrations about their athletic director. While I would like to […]
Taking an Attack to a Finish with Mike Poeta – Univ. of Illinois
Watch as Coach Mike Poeta explains and demonstrates how to take an attack to the finish. He breaks the drill into three parts: hand fighting and setup, chop and attack, and then the finish. Each […]
Leadership is Authentic, Relentless, Selfless Service to a Cause with Colonel Craig Flowers – Sideline Leadership
Watch as Colonel Craig Flowers explains that the term leadership is often clouded by clichés. He explains that in its simplest form leadership is service to a cause. Many times, Coaches fail to define leadership, […]
The Ten Most Important Things a Coach Should Do in the Off-Season
Even if the last game of the season ends in a victory, the off-season begins for me after the last out of that game. Next season, I know I must be better and my team […]
Single Leg Finishes with Jeremy Spates – Southern Illinois Univ. Edwardsville
Watch as Coach Jeremy Spates explains and demonstrates finishing a single from up top when the opponent is pushing you away with extended arms or grabbing wrists. Use your arm to drive up the arm […]
How to Avoid Coaching Burnout with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Dr. Lee Dorpfeld explains that burnout is unlikely to affect coaches who don’t care or who aren’t passionate about their work. However, most successful coaches who invest significant time and effort without maintaining […]
Attitude Over Ability with J Robinson
Watch as Coach J Robinson explains that while skill is obviously important, as a coach you should be looking for wrestlers with attitude. A wrestler with the proper attitude is easier to develop and to […]
Securing Your Ride After the Takedown with Keith Gavin – Univ. of Pittsburgh
Watch as Coach Keith Gavin explains and demonstrates securing your ride after the takedown. The technique focuses on maintaining control during the takedown and then transitioning into wrist control. Applying pressure to the wrists makes […]
9-Dot Challenge with James Leath – Mental Performance Coach
Watch as Mental Performance Coach James Leath presents a group of athletes with the 9-Dot Challenge. The challenge has 4 rules and the athletes have 5 minutes to work by themselves, then with a partner, […]
The Decisive Intangible for All College Athlete Recruits
Originally published in an Adam Sarancik Book Most college coaches have similar goals, philosophies, and priorities when recruiting athletes for their program. In short, they want people, athletes, and players who tangibly have sports skills […]
Countering Sitting from the Top Position with Brian Smith – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach Brian Smith explains and demonstrates countering sitting from a top position. It is important not to be on your knees when your opponent sits. When he does sit pull him backward and […]
2-on-1 Set-Up Drill with Mark Branch – Univ. of Wyoming
Watch as Coach Mark Branch explains and demonstrates this 2-on-1 set-up drill. This partner drill focuses on singles and doubles. Wrestlers can alternate between the two on their own, but Coach Branch prefers to call […]
Practicing Empathy
By: Dan Gould and Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches’ Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics The coaching process has been increasingly recognized as a complex social and cognitive system. In this context, the quality […]
Drilling Front Headlocks with Matt Storniolo – Northwestern Univ.
Watch as Coach Matt Storniolo explains and demonstrates drilling front headlocks. Drilling front headlocks is important as some opponents have good head and hand defense, making it hard to get to their legs. Coach Storniolo […]
Crab Ride Defense with Dakota Bauer – Colorado School of Mines
Watch as Coach Dakota Bauer explains and demonstrates this crab ride defense. Most wrestlers in a crab position attack the hands but give up a wrist. Coach recommends not giving up the wrist but making […]
There Is Nobility in the Struggle with Dr. Colleen Hacker – Team USA / Pacific Lutheran Univ.
Watch as Dr. Colleen Hacker discusses mental toughness and how today’s environment and culture do not value and respect the struggles and difficulties that athletes encounter. Not achieving in any form of athletics may be […]
Top Position: Hammer Lock with Ryan Deakin
Watch as Ryan Deakin explains and demonstrates the hammer lock series. At the whistle, he chops, finds a wrist, and drives. When the opponent is flat, open your chest to the ceiling with your elbow […]
Minimizing Your Athletes’ Anxiety with Robert Schinke – Laurentian Univ.
Watch as Robert Schinke discusses minimizing your athletes’ anxiety. Lack of confidence is the main cause of anxiety for athletes as an upcoming event nears. Focusing on previous negative performances instead of their positive performances […]