Watch as Coach Brian Smith explains how he always discusses team identity with his wrestlers, and how one must be figured out within a program. For his program, that identity was being good at wrestling […]
Growing Wrestling: Why Change is Necessary with Andy Barth – Titan Mercury Wrestling
Watch as Andy Barth discusses why change is necessary in ensuring the growth of wrestling. He feels that we need to understand it’s not boastful or conceited to promote our sport and promote the amazing […]
How the “Why?” Generation Is Making Coaches Better with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development
Stephen Mackey gives an interesting take on how today’s generation always asking ‘why?’ can make your coaches better. When coaches communicate, they should always start with ‘yes’ and not ‘no’. If you start with ‘no’, […]
Bounce Go Behind with Austin DeVoe – Colorado School of Mines
Watch as Coach Austin DeVoe explains and demonstrates this bounce go behind move. It is important to keep the elbows in tight with one hand high up in the arm pit and the other cupping […]
Accountability and Empathy with Dr. Greg Dale – Duke Univ.
Watch as Dr. Dale discusses accountability and empathy. Your program should have high standards, and everyone should be held accountable to those standards. He describes empathy as the ability to put yourself in someone else’s […]
A Lot of Try
By: Coach Mickey Marley Originally Published in: Game Ready – 52 Takeaways for Winning Previously, I shared that my daddy was a professional cowboy in Texas. Kid Marley had many clever sayings related to his […]
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. […]
Scripted Drilling with Matt Azevedo – Drexel Univ.
Where is your team losing the most points during matches? Watch as Coach Matt Azevedo discusses using scripted drilling sessions to fix recurring problems that he sees with his wrestlers.
Defining Commitment with Jeff Janssen – Janssen Sports Leadership Center
Jeff Janssen discusses defining commitment with your athletes and obtaining their feedback. It is important to question where they feel their commitment level is in regards to practice, social life, and acceptance of their role on […]
Improve Your Team Culture with Dave Crowell – Nazareth Area HS (PA)
Watch as Coach Dave Crowell gives his insights on improving your team’s culture. He recommends becoming a transformational coach and working to improve your wrestlers’ overall experience and lives in general. A ‘Team Creed’ is […]
Nagging Injury: Turf Toe with Sam Buscher – Ohio State Univ.
Watch as Sam Buscher explains that turf toe is a nagging injury that can be frustrating for all involved. He recommends inserting a carbon fiber plate in the bottom of a wrestler’s shoe which will […]
When You Win, Lose, and Rubbing
By: John Klessinger Originally Published in: A Coach’s Manual Provided by: Championship Productions “Be hard on them when you win, and love them when you lose.” – Unknown Years ago, I read this quote in […]
Practice Logs and Journals with Mark Branch – Univ. of Wyoming
Watch as Coach Mark Branch explains that he keeps yearly logs of every practice along with personal notes and observations. All Wyoming wrestlers are given journals and are periodically checked by the coaches.
It’s About Relationships Not Just the Training with Brian Smith – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach Brian Smith explains that as a young coach, he thought it was all about the training. After observing other coaches and talking to wrestlers, he came to realize that training is still […]
Anxiety, Expectations, and Pressure with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Dr. Lee Dorpfeld explains how he teaches athletes that you cannot control what is going to happen in the future. All the time wasted on worrying about the future keeps you from the […]
Short Sits: Get on the Wall with Bryan Snyder – Univ. of Nebraska
Watch as Coach Bryan Snyder explains this old school short sits wall drill. The general principle is working on switching your feet and back pressure. There’s a lot of cross-the-body hand fighting and using your […]
Communicating Your Vision with Dr. Alex Auerbach – Toronto Raptors
Watch as Dr. Alex Auerbach discusses setting goals on a vision. Great coaches have the ability to communicate to an individual or team on what they can accomplish and convey the belief that they can […]
Hazing in Athletics
Hazing in Athletics: A Culture that the Realm of Athletics and Coaching May Unknowingly Contribute To! By: Rick Farnham, Retired AD – University of Vermont Athletics have always professed that “sports build character,” but it […]
Using Digital Media to Grow Your Program with Andy Barth – Titan Mercury Wrestling
Watch as Andy Barth discusses growing your wrestling program using digital media. It is important to have the right person promoting your team and individual wrestlers. Your individual wrestlers should also be counseled on their […]
Social Media: Your Messages/Interviews Are Always a Reflection of Your Employer with Garry Rosenfield – Coaches Inc.
Watch as Garry explains that coaches need to know their social messages and interviews are always a reflection of their employer. Coaches are always on duty, thus always representing their school or institution, team, and […]
Eating Before Weigh-Ins with Joey Boyens – ekin Nutrition
Watch as Joey Boyens explains his thoughts on eating before weigh-ins. He wants his wrestlers to eat protein, carbs, and fats at every meal and especially the night before so when they refuel in the […]
Quad Pod Defense: Chop with Austin DeVoe – Colorado School of Mines
Watch as Coach Austin DeVoe explains and demonstrates defending a chop from the down position. He goes with the chop while rotating up and as he obtains balance, he covers the opponent’s hand. You want […]
Technology’s Impact on Mental Health with Dr. Josie Nicholson – Univ. of Mississippi
Dr. Josie Nicholson of Ole Miss Athletics discusses today’s technology and how it can have a negative effect on an individual athlete’s mental health. She explains that the world of sport is a world of […]
Use Social Media as a Tool
By: Becky Burleigh – Retired Originally Published in: Winning Ways of Women Coaches Provided by: Human Kinetics Most athletes have outward-facing social media as well as inward-facing social media. You can post things on your […]
Sweep Single: Step-Punch-Kick Finish with Austin DeVoe – Colorado School of Mines
Watch as Coach Austin DeVoe explains and, with an athlete, demonstrates this sweep single using a step-punch-kick finish. This is a great move for closing the distance, getting in tight and getting your opponent on […]
Developing Wrist Control with Matt Azevedo – Drexel Univ.
Watch as Coach discusses wrist control from the bottom position. He demonstrates a drill where the opponent is chopping each side and he works on getting his elbow down and turning his hand out. Use […]
Fear of Failure with Dave Malecek – Univ. Wisconsin-La Crosse
Watch as Coach discusses his wrestlers’ feedback from a survey on the ‘Fear of Failure’. The overall response was the acknowledgment of how much effort parents and coaches had put into them and the fear […]
Slow Flow Sparring with Mark Branch – Univ. of Wyoming
Watch as Coach Mark Branch explains, and wrestlers demonstrate this slow flow sparring drill. The wrestlers will have their hands on each other as there is no need to come apart and they will execute […]
Team-Building Point System with Patrick Dunn – James Martin HS (TX)
Watch as Coach Patrick Dunn explains his team-building point system. The wrestlers can earn points by attending summer strength and conditioning (which also builds camaraderie with different sports’ athletes). They can also attend four wrestling […]
Building Relationships
By: Dan Gould & Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics Ability and desire to relate to athletes are critical in coaching. The coach-athlete relationship provides a foundation for effective […]