Watch as Coach explains how he keeps a practice key that has all the drills, finishes, warmups, and conditioning exercises that he has used in practice over the years. He constantly updates the key based […]
Baseball Grip with Lennie Zalesky – Cal Baptist Univ.
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates with a wrestler the different ways to execute the Baseball Grip. When the opponent reaches for your shoulder, you can trap the hand or pull it out of the […]
Community Service with Cody Parks – Blue Valley Southwest HS (KS)
Watch as Coach explains that his high school wrestlers do community service at the youth practices. To be eligible to earn a letter in the program, each wrestler must do X amount of community service […]
Loving the Battle Is Critical
By: Mike Chapman Originally Published in: Wrestling Tough Provided by: Human Kinetics Do you love hand-to-hand combat? Do you love meeting a tough opponent in the center of the mat in front of a live […]
Arm Bar Tilt with Brian Beasley – Chattooga HS (GA)
Watch as Coach explains and with a wrestler demonstrates this arm bar tilt. The initial movement is a tight waist far ankle drive forward. Instead of digging for the elbow tilt, take the free arm […]
What’s Important Now with Alan Stein, Jr.
Alan discusses mental awareness and stresses the importance in today’s environment with all the distractions to stay focused. He uses the acronym W.I.N. which stands for “What’s Important Now” and recommends that everyone ask themselves […]
Bottom Position: Knee Slides with Scott Goodale – Rutgers Univ.
Watch as Coach discusses and demonstrates knee slides from the bottom position. Most wrestlers, when they are on top, start with a hard tight waist chop. Coach will simulate this knee slide warmup and stresses […]
Defining Mental Toughness with Jack Clark – Univ. of CA, Berkeley
Watch as Coach discusses mental toughness and how the term is valued and used a lot but has no clear definition. He states how critical it is that definitions are consistent within an organization so […]
From Philosophy to Reality
By: Dan Gable Originally Published in: Coaching Wrestling Successfully Provided by: Human Kinetics A wrestling program is people. That’s who it starts with; that’s who it ends with. The most important people are your coaching […]
High Crotch Setup: Pull Arm Mechanics with Tyson Reiner
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates the importance of the hand in pull arm mechanics for a high crotch setup. Do not pull with the shoulder or elbow as the chest will turn. Pull the […]
The Big 15 with Damon Parker – Washburn Rural HS (KS)
Watch as Coach discusses the Big 15, which is based on film breakdown and analysis. The goal is to determine what worked for the squad offensively, what worked for the opponents against them, and what […]
Breakdown Series with Bo Jordan – Ohio State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates that whichever side he throws his leg in, is the side he lines up on. On the whistle, he will place his hands on the opponent’s thighs, bump him, […]
Front Headlocks with Marcus Hoehn – Thoroughbred Wrestling Academy
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates the proper positioning for a front headlock. Place the hand on the chin with the elbow tight at the side. Keep the shoulder heavy in the spine with the […]
Keep Your Garden Free From Weeds
By: John Klessinger Originally Published in: A Coach’s Manual Provided by: Championship Productions “A bad putter is like a bad apple in a barrel. First, it turns your chipping game sour. Then it begins to […]
Elbow Tilt with Brian Beasley – Chattooga HS (GA)
The Elbow Tilt is something that is drilled all the time. Watch as Coach explains, and with a wrestler demonstrates, this tilt. The initial movement is a tight-waist far-ankle drive forward. Twist the elbow, grab […]
Get the Parents on Your Side with Heath Eslinger – A Better Way Athletics
A problem without a prescription will continue to be a problem. Make sure not to place the parents in opposition. As a leader, the coach needs to get the parents running in the same direction. […]
Bottom Position Flick with Chris Pendleton – Oregon State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and a wrestler demonstrates timing the flick on the whistle. When in the down position, your head should be up looking at the referee’s hand. Sometimes the ref’s hand motion will […]
Getting Your Wrestlers Recruited with Anthony Ralph – Ohio State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains the system they devised to evaluate talent that is not ranked in the recruiting process. They look at wrestlers in the state tournament and check to see how many points were […]
Altering the Self-Esteem Syndrome
Originally Published in: Game Ready – 52 Takeaways for Winning There is no question that a team is made up of individuals all trying to accomplish a common goal. It stands to reason that a […]
3 Supplements to Aid in Stamina and Recovery with Joey Boyens
Joey Boyens recommends three supplements that will help your wrestlers with stamina and recovery. Cyclic Dextrin is a carb to help your wrestlers reload as it absorbs quickly. Beta-alanine is a natural occurring amino acid […]
The Ideal Coach/Athlete with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
The ideal athlete and coach have the following six components: resilience, persistence, tolerance of discomfort, confidence, can perform under pressure, and consistence. Dr. Lee Dorpfeld explains that changes in performance may be tied to mental […]
Breaking an Elbow Hold with Lennie Zalesky – California Baptist Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and with a student-athlete demonstrates breaking an elbow hold. Many times, when your opponent is stalling, they will clamp and hold the elbow. It is important to free the elbow and […]
Misconceptions on Development with Tervel Dlagnev – Ohio State Univ.
Watch as Coach discusses two misconceptions about development in young wrestlers. As wrestlers become more elite, they have more training options and opportunities. Sometimes kids are looking at a camp, program, or coach to make […]
Working with Administration and Staff
By: John Klessinger Originally Published in: A Coach’s Manual Provided by: Championship Productions A cooperative relationship with your principals, athletic director, and teachers is crucial. The school staff is equally a part of your program, […]
Pull Kickstand Drill with Brian Smith – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach explains and wrestlers demonstrate a pull kickstand move. While doing the bump drill, it is important to get the weight to the hand and pull. If you don’t use the kickstand when […]
Creating a Routine with Mark Branch – Univ. of Wyoming
Make sure your wrestlers are engaging every morning. Coach wants his players to get a good night’s sleep and to get up early and create those positive life habits.
Mat Return Drill with Scott Goodale – Rutgers Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and wrestlers demonstrate the Mat Return Drill. This is an everyday drill that works on a wrestler standing up from the bottom. You must push, pull, and slide, getting the back […]
Level Your Pride with Jason Grindstaff – Cumberland Univ.
Watch as Coach discusses leveling your pride for wrestlers and coaches. Everyone should have a can-do attitude but there is a downside trying to do it on your own. It is important to ask for […]
Modifying and Adapting a Philosophy
By: Dan Gould & Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches’ Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics Thus far we have examined the importance of developing a philosophy and putting it into action. The final step […]
Women’s Wrestling: Sell the Sport with Damon Parker – Washburn Rural HS (KS)
Watch as Coach explains how his girl’s wresting program took off by actively promoting matches to the media outlets and self-promoting on social. He also promoted to the student body an enlisted the boy’s team […]