Watch as Coach Mike Poeta explains and demonstrates these 2 single leg drills. The partner will kneel with one leg down and Coach will hit a single to the leg that is down. The coach […]
Create a Positive Self-Talk Routine with Zack Etter – Univ. of Massachusetts
Watch as Zack Etter discusses creating a positive self-talk routine when communicating with players. He recommends sharing positive information everyday as today’s players are surrounded by negativity. Create an environment that focuses on the positive […]
Coaching Yourself: Managing Your Emotions
By: Rainer Martens & Robin S. Vealey Originally Published in: Successful Coaching Just like athletes, coaches must manage their emotions to perform effectively. Your personal example of managing your anxiety is a powerful model for […]
Front Headlock: Good to Better to Great with Austin DeVoe – Colorado School of Mines
Watch as Coach Austin DeVoe explains ‘good’ to ‘better’ to ‘great’ when trying to circle for a go behind to score from a front headlock. The focus is on shortening the circle as you try […]
Leaders Must Look for Opportunities to Serve with Robert Grasso – La Jolla Country Day School (CA)
Watch as Robert Grasso explains that leaders must look for opportunities to serve. Leadership is not about power, prestige, or a title, but about looking out for others. He explains to the athletes that their […]
Coaches’ Legal Duties
By: Rainer Martens & Robin S. Vealey Originally Published in: Successful Coaching Provided by: Human Kinetics Over the past 50 years, through thousands of lawsuits, the U.S. courts have defined and continued to define your […]
What Gets Rewarded, Gets Repeated with Heath Eslinger – A Better Way Athletics
Watch as Coach Heath Eslinger explains that “what gets rewarded, gets repeated”. If celebration is only based on playing time and performance, you are missing an opportunity to help your players get better. Look for […]
The One Skill Every Wrestling Coach Should Teach with Kevin Ward – Army West Point
Watch as Coach Kevin Ward explains that the one skill every wrestling coach in high school should teach is running the pipe on a single leg. This is not a finish, but it sets up […]
Elbow Pass Technique with Nathan Tomasello – Cliff Keen Wrestling Club
Watch as Nathan Tomasello explains and demonstrates this elbow pass technique. The focus is to shove into the opponent and feel the pressure of a push back. You want to grab onto the triceps and […]
Single-Leg Snag with Lennie Zalesky (Retired) – California Baptist Univ.
Watch as Coach Lennie Zalesky explains and demonstrates the single-leg snag. If a wrestler does not have a lot of confidence on a shot or double leg shot, then this is a good alternative. Try […]
Quick Shots and Stay in the Shot Drills with Mark Branch – Univ. of Wyoming
Watch as Coach Mark Branch explains, and wrestlers demonstrate these quick shots and stay in the shots drills. These are great for getting the wrestlers focused before practice. The focus with quick shots is on […]
Educating Athletes That Social Media Is Their Life Resume with Kim Karr – ICANHELP
Watch as Kim Karr emphasizes the importance in communicating with your athletes and parents that their posts on social media represent their life resume. Colleges and athletic departments are checking potential recruits’ and applicants’ social […]
Recruiting, NIL, and Student-Athlete Priorities
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life One significant reason Hall of Fame college coaches such as Nick Saban, Jay Wright, Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski retired prematurely is NIL (Name, Image and […]
Counterattack: Cross Face/Near Ankle with Dave Crowell – Nazareth Area High School (PA)
Watch as Coach Dave Crowell explains that using a cross face/near ankle technique is the best counterattack against a high crotch. Coach Crowell teaches his wrestlers to move in the opposite direction from whatever leg […]
Our Mission Coaching/Leading/Teaching Girls with Meghan Orgeman – Alexandria Area High School (MN)
Coach Meghan Orgeman discusses the mission of coaching, leading, and teaching girls. The highlights include these key points: Socialize our girls to be imperfect within a supportive network of people who care deeply for them. […]
The Mantra of “Get Better Every Day” Applies First to Coaching
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life After 40+ years in coaching, certain things are automatic for me. One of those things is, from the moment a practice, training session, game or season […]
Single Leg: Countering a Closed Shin Whizzer with Kevin Ward – Army West Point
Watch as Coach Kevin Ward explains that one position a lot of wrestlers struggle with is attacking with a strong single, but the opponent has a really good whizzer that locks them down. He will […]
Athletes’ Stressors & Resilience with Dr. Peter Ormsby – Univ. of North Carolina at Pembroke
Watch as Dr. Peter Ormsby discusses athlete stressors and resilience. Nearly 33% of athletes report mental health symptoms which is higher than general population samples. He will explain some of the types of stressors that […]
Developing Athletes at Practice
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life “The best athletes have the most potential to be the best players.” Prior to, and possibly including 8th grade, I think all players benefit from playing […]
Turn-In Stand with Dave Crowell – Nazareth Area High School (PA)
Watch as Coach Dave Crowell explains and demonstrates this turn-in stand escape from the bottom position. He teaches his wrestlers not to explode on the whistle and get the arm away, but instead give it […]
Set-Up and Step to the Shot Drill with Mark Branch – Univ. of Wyoming
Watch as Coach Mark Branch explains and wrestlers demonstrate this set-up and step to the shot drill. The focus is on the attacker changing levels stepping in and touching with the attack hand but not […]
Fundamentals Create the Highlights with Brian Smith – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach Brian Smith explains the importance of stressing fundamentals to your wrestlers. They must understand that fundamentals are the basis of successful wrestlers at any level. The fundamentals of stance, level change, penetration […]
Ankle Picks & Options with Dalton Jensen – Univ. of Nebraska at Kearney
Watch as Coach Dalton Jensen explains and demonstrates ankle picks and different options based on the opponent’s response. He starts off in a collar tie and focuses on controlling the far side wrist. During the […]
Jump Med Ball Slam with Ben Durbin – Iowa State Univ.
Watch as Coach Ben Durbin explains, and a wrestler demonstrates this in-season upper body plyometric jump med ball slam drill. This drill helps the wrestler be more aggressive and violent with their throws. The drill […]
Nine Ways to Develop Accountability in Your Wrestling Program
By: John Klessinger, Head Wrestling Coach – South River HS (MD) Accountability is a modern-day buzzword. It is thrown around team locker rooms, business meetings, and in schools. But what is it really? I am […]
Quarter Turn Stand-Up with John Klessinger – South River High School (MD)
Watch as Coach John Klessinger explains and demonstrates the Quarter Turn Stand-Up. Off the whistle, jump 1 quarter away, being explosive and stand up to create space. Put the inside hand in the back pocket […]
Practice Developing Your Strengths with J Robinson – JROB Intensive Camps
Watch as Coach J Robinson explains his philosophy on practice and what he emphasizes on when preparing his wrestlers. The five areas of wrestling that can make up a practice session are takedowns, escapes, reversals, […]
Coaches’ Stressors & Mental Health with Dr. Peter Ormsby – Univ. of North Carolina Pembroke
Watch as Dr. Peter Ormsby discusses coaches’ stressors and mental health. He cites case studies that indicate the three main stressors are performance-related, organizational-related, and personal. Performance stressors deal with injuries to athletes and poor […]
High Crotch to the Back Leg Drill with Mike Poeta – Univ. of Illinois
Watch as Coach Mike Poeta explains and demonstrates this high crotch to the back leg drill. He emphasizes that in a live match he would never instruct a wrestler to use this but always take […]
How to Build Integrity with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development
Watch as Stephen Mackey explains how to build integrity in athletes through sports. He discusses three exercises that can build integrity muscle: tell the truth, make commitments count, and take 100% responsibility for your actions. […]