Watch as Coach Mark Branch discusses his philosophy on practice planning and shares some strategies you can use to better organize the limited time you have with your athletes. Coach Branch also explains the importance […]
Double Leg Setup Series and Mat Returns with Max Wessell – Colorado School of Mines
Watch as Coach Max Wessell demonstrates a double leg setup series that focuses on post counter offense. Coach Wessell also demonstrates a variety of drills you can use to practice double leg takedowns and introduce […]
Low Single and Leg Riding with Mark Branch – Univ. of Wyoming
Watch as Coach Mark Branch demonstrates a variety of moves and drills related to the development of low single leg offense and leg riding. Coach Branch also discusses the importance of spending time developing your […]
High-C Setup and Finish with Tyson Reiner – Colorado School of Mines
Watch as Coach Tyson Reiner demonstrates his teaching progression for the High-C and shares a variety of setups and finishes you can do with this technique. Coach Reiner also demonstrates a variety of drills that […]
Front Headlock: Opposite Side with Gabe Dean – Lowell High School (MI)
Watch as Coach Gabe Dean explains and demonstrates how wrestlers have not been taught how to escape and defend against a front headlock from the opposite side. Coach Dean explains the details and techniques to […]
Seeking Continuous Improvement
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Successful coaches have an inner drive to change and evolve. This approach sustains their passion for coaching and keeps them fresh […]
Most Common Sports Nutrition Issues for Wrestlers with Erin Sparrold
Watch as Erin Sparrold discusses the most common nutritional issues she finds in wrestling including weight cutting, fuel deficit, hydration, availability of food, and meal planning.
NCAA Academic Requirements
College-bound student-athletes first enrolling at an NCAA Division I or Division II school need to meet academic rules to practice, compete, and receive athletics scholarships during their first year. To view the NCAA Division I […]
Growth Strategies for Wrestling with Rob Koll – Stanford Univ.
Watch as Coach Rob Koll (previously at Cornell University) discusses his thoughts on how wrestling will see significant growth as women’s wrestling continues to expand. He mentions football adjusting to smaller numbers of participants by […]
Counter Drills
By: Bill Welker Originally Published in: The Wrestling Drill Book Provided by: Human Kinetics SWITCH HIGH-LEG COUNTER Setup The wrestlers begin the drill in the referee’s position. Action On the whistle, W2 switches to one […]
Youth: Off the Wall Drills with Dwight Hinson – Central Iowa Wrestling Club
Watch as Coach Dwight Hinson explains, and wrestlers demonstrate this inside stand up position to a hip heist off the wall drill.
Agility and Quickness Drills
By: Jay Dawes and Mark Roozen Originally Published in: Developing Agility and Quickness Provided by: Human Kinetics Agility Shuttle This drill is great for developing explosiveness, foot speed, balance, quickness, and agility, which are all […]
Pinning: Bar Arms with John Smith – Oklahoma State Univ.
Watch as Coach John Smith explains and demonstrates bar arms to put the opponent on their back and finish with a pin.
Improving Communication
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Miscommunication is repeatedly cited as the number one source of stress for coaches. Effective communication is a learned skill, and like […]
Core Exercises Unique to Wrestling
By: Jeffrey M. Willardson Originally Published in: Developing the Core Provided by: Human Kinetics As wrestlers progress from preseason into the regular season, success is dependent on strength-speed, technique, and the ability to deal with […]
Re-Attacks with Gabe Dean – Lowell High School (MI)
Watch as Coach Gabe Dean explains that re-attacks happen with the most offensive wrestlers. When you are attacked your opponent is now in a vulnerable position and open to a re-attack. He demonstrates with a […]
Takedown Drill – Single Leg Sweep
By: Bill Welker Originally Published in: The Wrestling Drill Book Provided by: Human Kinetics Setup W1 is in the traditional breakdown position facing W2 but not tying up with him. Action W1 quickly fakes a […]
Cheap Tilt with Gary Mayabb – Univ. of Iowa
Watch as Coach Gary Mayabb explains, and wrestlers demonstrate this cheap tilt. The objective is to get a two count and not necessarily put the opponent on their back. Coach also discusses that he never […]
Pressure and Attack Drill with Tom Borrelli – Central Michigan Univ.
Watch as Coach Tom Borrelli explains, and wrestlers demonstrate this pressure and attack drill. This drill involves a post, a level change, and penetration (double leg).
Critical Reflection
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Unlike reflective practice, critical reflection is not focused on solving a specific problem. Critical reflection is used more sparingly, but still […]
How to Get to the Ankle Pick with Cameron Simaz – South Dakota State University
Watch as Coach Cameron Simaz explains that the easiest way to get to an ankle pick is a collar tie and the wrist. The penetration step is different in that you fall to your knee […]
Practice: Intensity Over Quantity with Brian Smith – University of Missouri
Watch as Coach Brian Smith explains how he believes that practice intensity is more important than practice length. It is important that the wrestlers understand this so that then the competition in the wrestling room […]
Cross Wrist to Turk
By: Bill Welker Originally Published in: The Wrestling Drill Book Provided by: Human Kinetics Setup The wrestlers start in the referee’s position with W1 in a basic two-on-one arm ride on W2’s left arm. Action […]
Identifying and Coaching to Your Strengths
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics The traditional approach to coaching is sometimes referred to as a deficits-based approach because coaches focus their energy on identifying and […]
Improving Hand Fighting with Gabe Dean – Lowell High School (MI)
Watch as Coach Gabe Dean discusses improving hand fighting skills. He suggests placing wrestlers with poor hand fighting skills against those who are good. He also explains that his skills evolved after working with Greco […]
Program Development: Support Your Elementary Program with Nick Williams – Retired Coach
Watch as Coach Nick Williams discusses the importance of supporting the elementary program with his varsity coaches and players. Several examples are the varsity running the elementary tournament, varsity wrestlers dedicating their time to assist […]
Understanding Motivation and the Learning Process
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Effective coaches devote considerable time to identifying and creating training activities for their athletes. But even the most creative and engaging […]
Weight Management with Brian Smith – University of Missouri
Watch as Coach Brian Smith discusses how he wants wrestling to be fun, and even weight cutting (which is the most unpleasant aspect) when done safely, is all part of the program. Safety should always […]
Turning Parents into Raving Fans of Your Program
By: Peter Jacobson So, over the last few weeks, I’ve heard about a ton of frustrations you guys have with parents in your program. I think it’s safe to say dealing with difficult parents is […]
Spiral Ride with Tom Borrelli – Central Michigan University
Watch as Coach Tom Borrelli discusses a spiral ride which is a technique that is mainly used by the heavier weight classes. This technique is taught instead of the tight waist chop.