Wrestling Coaches Have a Lasting Impact on Wrestlers
Wrestling isn’t just a sport—it’s a journey of growth, both personally and athletically, guided by coaches. These mentors are more than trainers; they play a vital role in shaping the character, resilience, and success of their athletes. Let’s explore the lasting impact wrestling coaches have on their students.
It’s safe to say that wrestling coaches have impacted hundreds of thousands of wrestlers. In an earlier post, I wrote about how Wrestling builds confidence. I’ve been thinking about another aspect of wrestling that pertains to real life.
I remember my wrestling coaches – Thinking back on my wrestling journey, I can remember every one of my wrestling coaches to this day. I can recall the impact each one had in my life.
I started thinking about some of my wrestling coaches like Ernie Jones for example. I realized how much of an honor it was to be coached by Ernie. He is a coach that is a legend in Oklahoma wrestling. It is safe to say that Ernie has coached and had a direct positive impact on hundreds of men as well as an indirect impact. That is because all three of his boys (Shawn, Biff, and Rodney) are all three wrestling coaches.
A Wrestling Coach Impacts a kid’s life… forever
Wrestling Coaches will Influence a Kid for a Lifetime
Wrestling coaches who use positive coaching, do more than build athletes. A wrestling coach is almost like a dad. While a coach’s job is to teach kids how to be a good wrestler, he teaches a kid so much more than the sport of wrestling. After a kid has become an adult, he or she will forever remember life lessons they have learned from a coach.
What are the qualities a wrestling coach will instill in his kids?
Mentoring Beyond the Mat:
A wrestling coach’s influence goes beyond teaching takedowns and escapes. They become mentors, offering guidance on life’s challenges, instilling values, and providing a support system that extends well into their athletes’ futures. The relationship built between a coach and a wrestler often lasts a lifetime.
Cultivating Resilience:
Wrestling is a sport that demands resilience in the face of adversity. Coaches teach athletes how to bounce back from losses, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward. This resilience becomes a valuable life skill that helps individuals navigate challenges in various aspects of their lives.
Creating a Sense of Community:
Wrestling coaches foster a sense of community within their teams. Athletes learn the importance of teamwork, supporting each other both in victories and defeats. This camaraderie creates bonds that often extend beyond the wrestling room, fostering a network of lifelong friendships.
Teaching Goal Setting and Achievement:
Coaches guide wrestlers in setting and achieving goals, both in the sport and in life. Whether it’s improving a specific technique, winning a championship, or excelling academically, the skills of goal setting and disciplined pursuit are instilled by coaches.
Strong Work Ethic:
A wrestling coach plays a pivotal role in instilling a strong work ethic in athletes. Work ethic, from the coach’s perspective, encompasses reliability, initiative, and the belief that hard work is rewarded in life. It goes beyond physical training, shaping individuals into dedicated, proactive, and resilient contributors both on and off the mat.
Building Character and Discipline:
In order to become a good wrestler, you must learn to watch what you eat, get your rest, stay away from bad influences, etc… This means you avoid things in your life that can keep you from reaching your goals. A wrestling coach constantly harps on their wrestlers about self-discipline. This is a skill that serves a person well in the job force.
Wrestling coaches instill a strong sense of discipline and character in their athletes. The demanding nature of the sport requires dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Coaches emphasize the importance of these qualities not just for success in wrestling, but as life skills that extend far beyond the wrestling room.
Inspiring Leadership:
Many successful individuals credit their wrestling coaches for instilling leadership qualities. Whether as team captains or community leaders, wrestlers often emerge as influential figures due to the leadership skills cultivated on the mat.
Coaches Teach Respect
A wrestling coach teaches respect. What do I mean by respect? Respect is a fundamental lesson imparted by wrestling coaches. It goes beyond just listening to elders or authority figures; it involves refraining from backtalk and treating others as you wish to be treated. In the world of wrestling, respect forms a cornerstone of character development.
We owe a big THANK YOU to wrestling coaches
Expressing gratitude to wrestling coaches is more than a courtesy; it’s a recognition of the enduring influence they’ve had on our lives. Even after two decades away from the sport, the title “Coach” remains a symbol of the guidance, discipline, and lessons instilled by these mentors.
Gratitude to Wrestling Coaches
If you have ever laced up your wrestling shoes, take a moment to reach out to your coach and convey thanks for the integral role they played in shaping the adult you’ve become. Your acknowledgment will undoubtedly be cherished, and the connection with your coach will serve as a testament to the enduring impact of their dedication and mentorship.
Additional Reading for Wrestling Coaches
For wrestling coaches reading this article, I’ve gathered additional resources to support your coaching journey. Explore these materials to enhance your skills. If you come across valuable resources or have suggestions, please share in the comments or visit my contact page.
Coach’s Educational Resource Guide – USA Wrestling offers a valuable resource for wrestling coaches, covering warm-ups, practice planning, coaching tips, and more. Consider bookmarking this page for easy access—it’s a comprehensive guide that can significantly benefit your coaching endeavors.
12 keys to becoming a great coach at any level – Ken Chertow wrote an article for Win Magazine. In the article he give 12 tips that can help any wrestling coach. He covers everything from recruiting to how you should embrace fundraising. I like how he talks about youth wrestling coaches needing to go to the football and soccer fields to find youth wrestlers. Ken Chertow has contributed so much to the sport. It’s really interesting to get his perspective.
InterMat Job Board – If you happen to be looking for a coaching position, you can check out the Intermat job board. It looks like it regularly updated. When I looked at the page, I found over 30 current openings for wrestling coaches.
Resource Manual – NWCA – This website has a ton of great information for wrestling coaches. I found a information on coaching development, growing wrestling. Their mission statement states that they work towards bridging the wrestling community together. They are also the organization that provides the Optimal Performance Calculator (OPC) that is powered by Trackwrestling.
Stay Updated
The impact of wrestling coaches extends far beyond wins and losses. They mold individuals into disciplined, resilient, and goal-oriented individuals equipped for success in various aspects of life. As we celebrate the victories of wrestling, let’s not forget to honor the unsung heroes—the coaches—who leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those they mentor.
I hope you enjoyed the article about the fantastic coaches who make this sport great. Their contributions play a significant role in shaping the impact of wrestling.
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Bravo to great coaches!!
what a great website – Coach Brandon Terry was that Coach for my son Cain – because of all those qualities mentioned is the reason he graduated from college with a degree , got a good job, bought a house and continues to grow. Coach Brandon Terry is the finest man/coach i will ever have the chance to be around – i still to this day support his program because i believe in him so much and believe every high school student deserves from him to be a part of their lives.
I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Thanks for the feedback. I will do my best to write some more quality articles.
call Brandon terry at Augusta HS in Augusta Kansas – he is a story
I have to say I learned so much from my wrestling coach’s. Hartford MI has some of the best coach’s. Being a female wrestler was not easy I got hit in the face by my opponent and I walked over to my couch and he looked me dead at me and told me to get back out there and show him I’m not afaird to be a girl and get hurt. I have had guys refuse to wrestle me because I am a girl. That broke me because I love the sorry and my coach’s just kept building up my self esteem and pushed me to do my best. Now I strive to do my best at everything I do.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE WRESTLING COACH’S OUT THERE.
Elizabeth
My brother is Coach Nick Williams in Altus. He started wrestling at age of four under the coaching od my dad. I am so proud of his accomplishments. The process of him as a coach ans his boys, to help them become men, is incredible.
I started wrestling with my coach Les Neal at the Hornsby Wrestling Club in Sydney Australia in 1969. I still meet up with him regularly to talk about wrestling and he is still in touch with most of the team. He is a true lifetime friend.
Wrestling made me mature and grow up to be a good citizen, father and patriot. Food, water, sleep and weight depervation seemed like a walk in the park under the tutelage of DAN DELUCA H.S. HALL OF FAME COACH! I love my father with all my heart! But there is no way I would have reached the success in life with out his teachings and fathering :-)!! Joseph P Berger Fair Lawn H.S. 1970~73. May his Legend live on in infamy!!
Thanks for the great feeback Joseph
I have gained so much from my coaches, and learned many valuable lessons. I would not be the person I am today, nor be able to stay in the sport, if not for my high school and collegiate coaches.