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.
Quad Pod Defense: Knee Dip with Austin DeVoe – Colorado School of Mines
Watch as Coach Austin DeVoe demonstrates this knee dip move from a defensive quad pod position. Coach DeVoe explains why this move is most effective when your opponent is on their knees and not standing […]
Change Up Your Practice Routines with Mark Branch – Univ. of Wyoming
Watch as Coach Mark Branch discusses his practice schedule and the benefits of switching up your daily practice routine to keep it interesting for your athletes instead of repetitive.
Coaching Female Wrestlers with Brian Nicola – Olentangy Orange HS (OH)
Watch as Coach discusses being a male and coaching women’s wrestling. Being aware of the comfort levels of your female wrestlers is important and should help determine how you teach and demonstrate. He recommends having […]
End-of-Season Evaluation Forms
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Departing senior athletes are an extremely valuable source of evaluation information. Because of the amount of time spent in the program […]
Preventing Athlete Burn Out with Mark Manning – Univ. of Nebraska
Watch as Coach discusses how to prevent your wrestlers from getting burned out. Sometimes kids are not mature enough to voice it, but they are probably not having fun with the sport. He explains that […]
Leadership: Chain of Command with Jack Clark – Univ. of CA, Berkeley
Coach believes in chain of command with the ability to make decisions, set strategy, and go forward. He encourages collaboration and participation in the process, but the coach must be responsible for decisions. He believes […]
High Crotch Setup: Pull Arm Mechanics with Tyson Reiner – Golden Eagle Wrestling Club
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 […]
Hip Heist Drills with Mark Branch – Univ. of Wyoming
Watch as Coach explains how he is a huge believer in everything hip heist from the bottom position. He teaches the hip heist instead of a stand up so that his wrestlers learn how to […]
Open Letter to High School Athletes
By: John Klessinger, Head Wrestling Coach – South River HS (MD) Dear High School Athlete, I am going to discuss the valuable lessons we learn from playing high school sports and how you should approach […]
Set the Tone as a Dictator or a Leader with Bill Johnson – Norton Community HS (KS)
Watch as Coach discusses a quote from Dr. Haim Ginott which suggests that as a coach you are the decisive element for athletes and you have tremendous power and responsibility that impacts their lives. He […]
Constant Pressure with Nick Mitchell – Grand View Univ.
Watch as Coach explains that it is key not to let your opponent rest. Coach wants wrestlers to be heavy and apply chest pressure. Keep pressure on the opponent’s head and do not let them […]
Changing Weight-Cutting Tactics with Chris Pendleton – Oregon State Univ.
Wrestlers are stubborn by nature. Coach believes that as a group, weight-cutting tactics must change to help keep retention rate high.
Creating and Sustaining a Winning Culture
By: John Klessinger, Head Wrestling Coach – South River HS (MD) Recently, I made a talk to some fellow educators on culture in sport. I aimed to provide the audience with the methods to build […]
Arm Bar Tilt with Brian Beasley – Chattooga HS (GA)
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates with a wrestler 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 and knife […]
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 […]
Clearing a Collar Tie Drill with Brian Antonelli – Blair Academy
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates how to clear a collar tie. Pull your neck, pop to create a little bit of space, get the hand back in and then get to your shot. If […]
A Common Mistake People in Authority Make with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Dr. Dorpfeld discusses a mistake that people in authority make when dealing with issues of behavior and choices of athletes. It is important to focus on the behaviors that need attention and not on attacking […]
Single Leg Trip Finish with Nathan Tomasello – Cliff Keen Wrestling Club
Watch as Coach explains that in a single leg when you cannot finish, try to dump the opponent and if they don’t go down, pick up the foot. Coach pulls the foot down and out […]
Basic Leg Lace with Brandon Slay – Pennsylvania RTC
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates a basic leg lace. It important to have forward pressure, dropping the shoulder beneath the opponent’s rear, getting off the knees, and pressing forward. Attach the hands above the […]