How to Become a High School Wrestling Teacher

Get in the best shape of your life. You are going to be leading by example as a teacher. You need to be able to get into any wrestling position imaginable in order to show your students how each position is done. This requires an intense workout schedule. Pick at time that's best for you so that the work out remains doable, manageable and convenient.

Learn all you can on the sport. The best wrestling teachers are those with a great passion for both the sport and people. Start as early as possibly learning about its history, rules and famous players. This will be indispensable to you in your journey as an educator. Knowledge is power. Nowhere is that more true than in a classroom setting.

Get a teaching degree. This is important. You cannot teach in public high schools without a degree. Depending on your state and school district, you may have to graduate with a major that is related to the sport.

Take the teaching exam in your state. In order to be a wrestling teacher, you must know the basics about the other subjects in school. The test that each state requires is different, but most are similar. You'll need to know your reading, writing and math!

Join the NHSCA, The National High School Coaches Association. It will help you with insurance needs. You can keep on top of physical fitness news. Keep track of each and every little thing that can affect your life as a coach.

Get certified by the American Sport Education Program. They have a program for Coaching Youth Wrestling. See the link in our Resources section. The classes will teach you all the details you need. It will prepare you for unforeseen coaching dilemmas and guide you in solving problems before they occur.

Study the types of regimens you'll need to work on to get into top wrestling shape...and what you'll need to advise your wrestlers to do in preparation when not wrestling. The routines should be simple and doable in order to motivate students. It should be a steady workout that deals directly with power lifting and stretching. The combination of these two extreme exercises should give the results that you want and need in order to be a wrestling coach...and in order for your students to be top wrestlers. Power lifting can be done using free weights or weight lifting machines in a gym. Stretching can be done without additional equipment. A full body workout and a fat burning workout should be done as well. Please see the link in our Resources section regarding wrestling workouts for a complete program.

Apply at schools near and far. Becoming a high school wrestling teacher presents a special challenge. While teachers are in great need all across the country in nearly every subject, the field is specialized. Those who love teaching it rarely give up those jobs. It's possible to find one, but keep an open mind about relocation if you are insistent on teaching wrestling.

Start with teaching another subject. Being a basic physical education teacher--especially for boys--usually means that you'll be able to teach wrestling at least for a certain time period each year. Start with this. If the school does not have a wrestling team or division, suggest that you can help start one. Most principals will be happy to have someone so dedicated that he is willing to put in the time, effort and resources to helping create new opportunities for students. If you are generous with your time, the school is more likely to be generous with its budget for wrestling.