Watch as Coach Brian Smith discusses, and wrestlers demonstrate this 180 drill where the riding wrestler cannot use their chop arm and has to learn how to use their hips to take down their opponent.
Head-to-Head Drill with Zeke Jones – Arizona State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates this head to-head-drill. The drill starts with hands in the pocket as the wrestlers are learning to circle, backing each other up, and getting the feet in proper position […]
Are You Humble Enough to Admit You Were Wrong? with Dr. Greg Dale – Duke Univ.
Watch as Dr. Dale asks the question, “Are you humble enough to admit you are wrong?” Most coaches would answer yes to this question, but many have a hard time with it. Why? Undermining creditably […]
Optimism
By: Alan Stein, Jr. Originally Published in: Raise Your Game Confidence comes from an understanding of your own agency, your own influence, and your own ability to make things happen. Bob Rotella is a sports […]
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 […]
Be Uncommon by Being Consistent with Brian Smith – Univ. of Missouri
Being uncommon means doing a lot of things that most will not do. Coach believes consistency in life allows people to achieve greatness.
Practice Warm-Ups with Mark Branch – Univ. of Wyoming
Allow team leaders to run your practice warm-ups. Give them some guidelines but the warm-ups are their responsibility. Don’t hesitate to change up and get involved in the warm-ups if you notice that they are […]
Life – Love It…You’re Gonna Leave It
By: Coach Mickey Marley Originally Published in: Game Ready – 52 Takeaways for Winning You know something I used to be really guilty of doing? I was guilty of taking life for granted. I used […]
Mindset: Stop Blaming & Complaining with Alan Stein, Jr.
Alan discusses awareness and mindset which may be the #1 separator from good to great and from great to elite. A winner’s mindset involves having extreme accountability and ownership for everything in your life. You […]
Show Them You Care with Brian Smith – Univ. of Missouri
When kids are not doing the right thing or are in trouble, they are calling out for help. There is a lot of give and take when you coach kids, but when you start to […]
Good Ideas from the Bottom with Dave Crowell – Nazareth Area High School (PA)
With pressure or against pressure? Coach explains some of his ideas on wrestling from the bottom position. He discusses going away from pressure and avoiding being on your belly as it is the 2nd worst […]
Double-Leg Finishing Moves with Max Wessell – Colorado School of Mines
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates double-leg finishes. He starts with an over tie and points out that the foot on a penetration step must be forward of the imaginary line between the opponent’s feet […]
Sparring for Position with Bryan Snyder – Univ. of Nebraska
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates sparring for position in a practice session. The wrestlers are working on everything they would do in a match but at a slower speed. They are focusing on their […]
Understanding Parents
By: John Klessinger Originally Published in: A Coach’s Manual Provided by: Championship Productions “Keep the discussion with your athlete and parents alive, but never forget that you are the coach, and you have your own […]
Teaching Young Athletes to Spar Properly with Matt Azevedo – Drexel Univ.
Watch as Coach Matt Azevedo discusses utilizing your experienced wrestlers to help teach your younger wrestlers how to spar and drill properly. Coach Azevedo also explains why putting responsibility on your older wrestlers will help […]
Women’s Wrestling: Sell the Sport with Damon Parker, Retired – 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 the program to the student body and enlisted the […]
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 […]
Pushing Is Critical with Tom Ryan – Ohio State Univ.
Watch as Coach discusses and demonstrates pushing and why it is critical. Whoever controls the center of the mat is at an advantage and getting pushed around can be exhausting. When you push, it is […]
Repeating Success
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Coaching Better Every Season – a lofty standard indeed, yet a very attainable one. The time-tested principles and strategies of quality […]
Female Wrestlers: Training During the Low Hormone Phase with Erin Sparrold
New to coaching female wrestlers? Coach Erin Sparrold breaks down how to train effectively during their low hormone phase and shares some tips for fueling your athletes.
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 […]
Double Leg Post Setup – Over Tie with Max Wessell – Colorado School of Mines
Coach explains that on the over tie it is important to pinch the opponent’s head to their biceps. The free hand grabs on to the meat of the triceps, circle and remove the hand from […]
Shot Defense with Marcus Hoehn – Thoroughbred Wrestling Academy
Watch Coach explains and demonstrates beating a shot that gets in deep. The focus is on changing the shot and putting the opponent into a different shot than they intended. When the opponent is in […]
Credibility Is Like a Bank Account with Dr. Greg Dale – Duke Univ.
Watch as Dr. Dale discusses how to establish credibility with athletes. Preparedness, empathy, and honesty are all keys to success. Dr. Dale also explains the importance of giving kids a purpose on the team. Like […]
Are You a Leader?
By: Alan Stein, Jr. AlanSteinJr.com I try to build my success, brick by brick, and aim to get a little better every day. One of my focal points is improving my leadership. The words ‘coach’ […]
Defining Real Relationships on Teams with Steve Garland – Univ. of Virginia
Watch as Coach Steve Garland discusses his definition of a real relationship and why having open and honest communication with your athletes is so important.
Female Wrestlers: Understanding the Hormone Cycle with Erin Sparrold
Watch as Erin Sparrold discusses the importance of normalizing the conversation around your female athletes’ hormone cycle. Erin also explains when the best time is for female athletes to compete and operate at their strongest.
Front Headlock Fundamentals and Common Mistakes with Gabe Dean – Lowell High School (MI)
Watch as Coach Gabe Dean demonstrates how to perform a front headlock move and explains some common mistakes that wrestlers make from this position. Coach Dean emphasizes the advantage that you have as the top […]
Want vs. Willing
Originally Published in: Game Ready – 52 Takeaways for Winning by Coach Mickey Marley I made this statement earlier, but I think it bears repeating. I often would ask my players this question: ‘How many […]
Winter Practice Schedule with Nick Williams – Retired Coach
When do you take time away from wrestling to refresh? Coach Nick Williams discusses his winter practice schedule and the importance of taking time away from your program to rest.