This is my first year as the Head Wrestling Coach at the High School I work at. Even though there is a ton of stress and so forth, I have had a really good time. So far, my team is undefeated in dual meets. We have 8 kids that placed in the County. I am proud of these kids. We are heading into our final push of the season, and I am kind of thinking about how to better motivate them. Are there any experienced coaches/trainers out there that have any advice on how to mentally prepare my team for the real deal? We have the district, Regional, and the State meet coming up. Any advice would be really helpful. Thanks guys!
-mendelson
ttt....help me out guys....I know there are a ton olf experienced guys and girls out there.....
c'mon,someone help the guy out
thanks Miller. You the man....I have 2 guys on my team named Miller....They are actually some of my studs. Maybe there is something to the name.....
ttt
of course there is
I have to admit...I expected a little better response than I have gotten. I have always tried to help any UG'ers that have posted asking questions to the best of my ability. I am disappointed guys.
-mendelson
The UG is bad about this typeof thing early in the morning.Wait until this afternoon and see how this develops.Also try the wrestling forum
visualization. get them accustomed to using it every day.
after a hard workout, maybe take 10-15 minutes to have everyone on the mat quiet down and relax (like meditation). Have them lay down on the mat and close their eyes. They are at the meet. tell them they are watching teammates (use names) compete against (name of opponent if u know it). Tell them they are getting pumped watching (your guy's name) hit a double or outside single or pancaking the opponent(again use a name if you know it). They need to FOCUS because their turn is coming and they need to clinch the win for the team. They've been there before and their training will carry them. Forget about the nonsense, because they were made to be wrestlers and beat the shit (don't know how old your boys are) out of the opponent. Impose your will. This is your game. You control the tempo and you control the pace. Play your game.
say everything i just typed. elaborate on your own. Visualization is like practice for the mind. Try visualizing scenarios where they are down 2 points and NEED the takedown. Walk them thru it. What they would do. Again, use a name, they will all relate. DO NOT LET THEM GOOF OFF. Treat this as serious as you would the running, weights, or rope, or drills. It's a drill for the mind.
Kirik is the best motivator I know, so I hope he makes an appearance on this thread ;-)
Visualisation is definitely good - if you can see yourself winning and doing techniques right, you'll be more likely to do it in real life.
I also make my guys write down their goals for periods of time. For example that by the end of March they will improve their double-leg and their armbar while managing 100 kg of benchpress 10 times. That sort of thing. I have a form for this purpose that they fill out which includes different categories of skills and supporting factors like endurance, diet etc. It's important to have specific goals, so you're not just training endlessly without a feeling of accomplishment ;-)
It's also important to make what you're doing fun. It can be hard as hell, but still keep people smiling. This is mostly dependent on what kind of coach you are. Personally I believe that it's more important to give positive feedback and encourage your students rather than do it the army way ("you suck, get yourself together, go do this and that").
There are whole books written on the subject of mental attitude for competitors. You might want to order a couple form Amazon or something. The mental game is at least as important as, if not even more important than, the physical stuff...
Viking....is it possile for you to e mail me a copy of the form? Thanks for the feedback guys. I really do appreciate it.
-mendelson
The problem is that the whole thing is in Norwegian ;-)
But it's simple. Each category you choose has a self-diagnose section where people rate themselves in different aspects(say single-leg, double-leg, high-crotch, strength, endurance, diet etc) and then use that to set a goal for each of these skills (or just some they really need to work on). The important thing is the mental process of thinking through what you know and setting goals to improve the weak points. Being aware of what to work on is crucial for any athlete...
TTT
The hardest part in motivating others is getting to know them. Try to learn what makes them tick and use it to your/their advantage.
Promote leadership within the team. Some (some) teenagers are truely excellent at motivating their peers.
It is funny that you would bring that up...I have felt this whole year that although we have some very skilled and powerful wrestlers, we are lacking in leadership. It upsets me to say this, but I feel like at times I am the Coach and the team captain...
Anyway, I have given the kids the opportunity to step up and become a leader, but no one has risen to the challenge. Anyway, we are going into battle tomorrow night and we are missing 3 of our starters and everyone else is bumped up a weight...please wish us luck....
-mendelson
we won again....with about 7 JV wrestlers in our varsity lineup. we are still undefeated.
-mendelson
Yo Rich see you at ATT. I might have a book to help you out.
Awesome! I love to read motivational stuff. I feel like coaching is so cool because you really have to know your athletes and get into their heads. Can't wait to read the book.
-mendelson
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