Coaching Advice

[Ragu]

I am about to take a volunteer coaching position at one of my local high schools with the full intention of being a coach for decades to come. I am in my late 20s and I'm looking to make a big difference in not only these kids lives but to also improve wrestling in my area in general. Any advice, books to read, videos to watch any type of pointer would be greatly appreciated. This is the best sport in the world and I cannot wait to make a more direct impact. 

[MPhillips]

Listen and care...

[BaldHeadedShannon]

14 hours ago, Ragu said:

I am about to take a volunteer coaching position at one of my local high schools with the full intention of being a coach for decades to come. I am in my late 20s and I'm looking to make a big difference in not only these kids lives but to also improve wrestling in my area in general. Any advice, books to read, videos to watch any type of pointer would be greatly appreciated. This is the best sport in the world and I cannot wait to make a more direct impact. 

I'm a big reader. Each year when pre-season starts in September I cycle through these wrestling books. Each year I feel like I pick up something new from them. My perspective has definitely changed since becoming a husband and father in the past few years. I'm sure there's more out there these are the ones I've found available on Kindle.

A Wrestling Life (1 and 2) - Dan Gable

Finish Strong - Dan Russell

Never Stop Pushing - Rulon Gardner

American Victory - Henry Cejudo

Mission Accomplished - Matt Brown

Funky - Ben Askren (Was super excited to throw this in the rotation when Ben finished it)

The Dream Team of 1947 - Arno Niemand

Vision Quest - Terry Davis

Pinned - Alfred Martino

Four Days To Glory - Mark Kreidler 

 

 

[Ragu]

9 hours ago, BaldHeadedShannon said:

I'm a big reader. Each year when pre-season starts in September I cycle through these wrestling books. Each year I feel like I pick up something new from them. My perspective has definitely changed since becoming a husband and father in the past few years. I'm sure there's more out there these are the ones I've found available on Kindle.

A Wrestling Life (1 and 2) - Dan Gable

Finish Strong - Dan Russell

Never Stop Pushing - Rulon Gardner

American Victory - Henry Cejudo

Mission Accomplished - Matt Brown

Funky - Ben Askren (Was super excited to throw this in the rotation when Ben finished it)

The Dream Team of 1947 - Arno Niemand

Vision Quest - Terry Davis

Pinned - Alfred Martino

Four Days To Glory - Mark Kreidler 

 

 

Thanks I will check them out

[11986]

I'd add A Season on the Mat by Nolan Zavoral. Chronicles Gable's last year as HC at Iowa.

[jross]

On 11/6/2025 at 7:31 AM, MPhillips said:

Listen and care...

This ^^

Care about the kids.  Pump them up.  Take the time to observe and help them improve the technicals match to match.  Help them understand that other kids are nervous too, and to understand their potential.

[Room Guy]

Coaching Wrestling Successfully by Dan Gable is old but has a lot of great info about running a program beyond just tactical things. 

[Ragu]

5 hours ago, jross said:

This ^^

Care about the kids.  Pump them up.  Take the time to observe and help them improve the technicals match to match.  Help them understand that other kids are nervous too, and to understand their potential.

I was never anything special on the mat due to mental blockages. I know better than most what that can do to a kid. This is kind of my main approach when it comes to my coaching. Appreciate the late responses too guys. Always learning

[jross]

Text message with college wrestler from a week ago...

 

Quote

Coach said I wrestle better than I did today.  Like saying I should have done better than I did.  IDK how else to take that than disappointment.

My response.  "Is your coach a meanie and dismissive or does coach seem to care?  I am betting it is the latter and take it as a positive.  Coach has SEEN what you are CAPABLE of in practice and you are BETTER than what you showed.  Coach BELIEVES in you.  Coach is not wasting their breath.  Coach knows you can reach another level, and expects you to.  This is good!  You are still learning, now keep working on individual moves."

 

Quote

Thank you, I needed this.

 

[jross]

Growing up I always had coaches that cared, but only one that made a difference.

Only had him for one year.  He notices I am nervous about match because of the kid's record.  He says "What do you think he is thinking about you?"  That's it.  That's all it took for my mindset to change from the trees to the forest.

Worst coach cared but didn't know how to vocalize support.  "Just roll over and let him pin you already" just doesn't hit the mark.  Sort of like "Just throw strikes" in baseball.

[MPhillips]

5 hours ago, jross said:

Sort of like "Just throw strikes" in baseball.

"Get uuuuuppppp!!!"

[Formally140]

The attack style wrestling podcast if it's still up has great stuff. Especially after the 3rd episode. The first 3 are more ra ra and the ones after actually get into the nitty gritty