How to Coach College Wrestling

Wrestling is a sport that is highly popular in certain regions of the country. Unlike the theatrical performances of professional wrestlers, high school and college wrestling teams struggle with techniques that go back to the original Olympics. Use your job as a college wrestling coach to refine physical skills while teaching wrestlers how to appreciate the sport at its purest.

Things You'll Need

  • Gym mats
  • Video camera
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Instructions

  1. Coach College Wrestling

    • 1

      Understand where your program rates on a regional and national level before you begin the season. Your team's overall ranking and projections by wrestling experts should be used as a motivator for wrestlers over a long season. Websites like The Mat list rankings for all college divisions and conferences in the United States (see Resources below).

    • 2

      Focus your team's weight training on the lower body and trunk muscle groups. A common misconception for young wrestlers is that a strong upper body can overpower an opponent. Use a combination of stretching, power lifting and elliptical training to make your team more powerful.

    • 3

      Spend your early practice sessions coaching wrestlers on the proper use of leverage. Successful wrestlers learn early in their careers that the wrestler with the lowest position wins the match. Teach wrestlers to keep their legs bent with their arms near their sides and their body weight balanced forward for the attack.

    • 4

      Tape each of your wrestling meets as an instructional tool for your players. One of your assistants can use a simple camcorder to record individual matches from the ground level. Review tapes beforehand in order to effectively coach wrestlers on areas of strength and weakness.

    • 5

      Provide flexibility to your school's athletic department by using whatever space is available for practice. Wrestling practices require gym mats and space, so your team can work in different spaces based on the needs of other teams. Work out arrangements for alternative practice spaces at the beginning of the season and distribute schedules.

    • 6

      Decide the status of wrestlers in between weight classes early in the college wrestling season. Young wrestlers who need to lose or gain weight should be given a red shirt in order to use healthy means to get toward their ideal playing weight. Red shirts and other decisions need to be made during the preseason training period.