Developing Responsible Athletes

By: Dan Gable

Originally Published in: Coaching Wrestling Successfully

I've covered a lot of territory in this chapter, and I've only hit upon the main points involved in building a wrestling program. There's one more thing that you can do to set your program above the rest, however. It's difficult to explain, but what it amounts to is teaching your athletes to stand on their own two feet and face the challenges they will face on the wrestling mat and in life.

Nurture in them a strong work ethic and discipline that will allow them to succeed. Put them in decision-making situations that require them to choose between right and wrong; the hard but rewarding way and the easy way out; the unselfish and selfish alternatives. Not only is this approach best for the individuals in your program, it's also a selling point to parents, school administrators, and community members who see the maturation of the wrestlers you work with. By asking athletes for more, you get more. My style of teaching isn't easy, as anyone who has seen one of my practices will agree, but the athletes thrive on the challenge. In this way, they become winners even before they step onto the mat.