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 […]
Expect to Win with Brian Smith – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach Brian Smith discusses how he wants his wrestlers to know that when they put the work in, on the mat and in the weight room, they have given themselves the opportunity to […]
Quality Over Quantity in Strength Training with Sam Craven – North Carolina State Univ.
Watch as Coach Sam Craven explains that quality over quantity is the goal in strength training. He uses a power clean as an example and highlights the desired outcomes. The question: “Are the repetitions producing […]
How to Grow Wrestling at the Lower Levels Without Causing Burnout with Jack Spates – (Retired) Univ. of Oklahoma
Watch as Coach Jack Spates discusses the importance of young wrestlers not becoming burned out through excessive competition. Coach suggests wrestling competitions that are modeled on judo with emphasis on technique.
Chop Pop Setup with Scott Goodale – Rutgers Univ.
Watch as Coach Scott Goodale explains and demonstrates the Chop Pop setup. When the opponent reaches and works to get inside with a collar tie, pull them and chop the arm down and pop the […]
Culture Is Not a Sign or a Saying with Seth Greenberg – ESPN
Watch as Seth Greenberg explains that building your culture takes time. Culture is not a sign or a saying but how you live every day and how you carry yourself. It involves being consistent and […]
7 Key Steps for Making Ethical Decisions
By: Dan Gould & Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics To help you make ethical decisions in your own coaching, here are seven key steps. Recognize that ethical decisions […]
High Crotch Sidestep and Cup with Tyson Reiner – Golden Eagle Wrestling Club
Clear the collar tie using a sidestep and cup move. Coach explains that you should not try to pull the arm down when you sidestep, but pull it out away from the body. When the […]
Attitude Over Ability with J Robinson – JROB Intensive Camps
Watch as Coach explains that how (obviously) skill is important but as a coach you should be looking for wrestlers with attitude. A wrestler with the proper attitude is easier to develop and deal with […]
Hold Your Base Drill with Nick Mitchell – Grand View Univ.
Watch as Coach Nick Mitchell discusses, and players demonstrate this ‘hold your base’ drill to build muscle memory for returning to base position and to help create some competition in your wrestling room.
Defensive Shot Drills with Lennie Zalesky (Retired) – California Baptist Univ.
Watch as Coach Lennie Zalesky explains and demonstrates this shot defense drill. Block the shooter with your hands and step to the side while snapping the head down then going around to the side. Another […]
Improving Flexibility with Sam Buscher – Ohio State Univ.
Watch as Sam Buscher answers a question of what his team does to help improve a wrestler’s flexibility. He explains that kids will come in early and work with foam rollers to stretch their muscles […]
Buying In
By: Alan Stein, Jr. Originally Published in: Raise Your Game Buy-in means that the members of your organization choose to embrace, share, and maintain the culture a coach is trying to create. A culture doesn’t […]
What Not to Eat on Competition Day with Joey Boyens – ekin Nutrition
Avoid these foods! Watch as Coach discusses what not to eat on the day you are competing. Coach recommends staying away from fats and fruits as the simple sugars can result in crashing. Depending on […]
Clearing Ties with Matt Azevedo – Drexel Univ.
Watch as Coach Matt Azevedo discusses the benefits of being great at clearing ties. Players will demonstrate some of his favorite drills that you can use to develop this skill
How to Avoid Coaching Burnout with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Coaches will not experience burnout if they do not care about what they do and are not passionate about their work. Most successful coaches put in tremendous amounts of time and effort but, without some […]
Riding: Bump Drill with Brian Smith – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates this bump drill from the top position. The goal is to use your hips and to lock in and pinch with your thighs, putting your chest down with pressure, […]
What Are Your Athletes’ Biggest Influences? with Chet Scott – Built to Lead
Watch as Chet Scott explains the ‘leadership is influence’ concept, and that you know you are a leader if you have followers. If you are going to lead and influence your players, it would be […]
Networking
By: Dan Gould & Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics The old saying that “it’s not what you know but who you know” doesn’t always hold true, but having […]
Building Good Habits in the Weight Room with Sam Craven – North Carolina State Univ.
Coach explains that the weight room is a great place to build good habits that can transcend on to the mat. Athletes spend hours in the weight room trying to improve their bodies and this […]
Fighting a Four-Point Chop with Dave Crowell – Nazareth Area HS (PA)
Watch as Coach explains the technique used to prevent giving up the arm against a four-point chop. The inside hand takes a walk and does not drop to the elbow. Keep the knees up and […]
Mat Return Takedown with Max Wessell – Colorado School of Mines
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates this mat return. He cautions to be aware that the opponent may attempt to put their hand back on the mat, so don’t lock the hands until you feel […]
Right-Hand Collar Tie, Shot, and Misdirection with Myles Martin – Scarlet Knights Wrestling Club
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates a right-hand collar tie, a left-hand wrist shot, and a misdirection shot. He will show the shot from both sides, emphasizing snapping the wrist down, disguising the level change […]
10 Wrestling Techniques to Teach to All Wrestlers
By: John Klessinger – South River HS (MD) I have been at this coaching game for twenty-five years. Prior to that, I competed from elementary school through five years of college. All told, I have […]
Losing Weight, the Right Way with Joey Boyens – ekin Nutrition
Most wrestlers were taught incorrectly on how to lose weight. On the high school level, football players who are bulked up and need to make weight for wrestling. It is important do this the right […]
Mental Toughness with Pete Jacobson – WinSmarter
Watch as Coach defines mental toughness as the ability to perform at or near full potential regardless of circumstances. A symptom of lack of mental toughness is an athlete choking in competition as many young […]
Takedown Setups with Nathan Tomasello – USA Wrestling
Nathan explains how he gets to an inside tie, fakes a high crotch, and reads how the opponent reacts. If he steps back then he will shoot a single or double to the opposite side […]
Sweep Single with Mark Branch – Univ. of Wyoming
Watch as Coach explains and demonstrates this sweep single move. Many wrestlers over-spin and rotate when executing the move. To combat this, they emphasize taking the attack hand straight to the mat instead of grabbing […]