The Coach’s Role

 

An effective coaching staff is essential in helping kids derive the greatest benefit from their involvement in the sport. Coaches need to be effective in planning, organizing and running practice sessions, and coaching mat-side during competition. They are also called upon in a host of other related activities, but most importantly, coaches should strive to create and maintain an environment in which the champion in every child can blossom.

 

It is the coach’s responsibility to provide opportunities for growth, achievement and excellence that can lead to success on and off the mat. A good wrestling coach is effective in preparing his wrestlers for the challenges of competition and is able to instill positive values such as goal setting and self-discipline, while maintaining a high degree of enjoyment and fulfillment for the wrestlers.

 

In addition, coaches must be perceptive, flexible and creative enough to address individual needs. In summary, the coach should be a person wrestlers trust, look up to, learn from, and rely on for support. This is certainly a tall order given personal limitations and other commitments most coaches face. It is more practical however, for these virtues to be present collectively within a coaching staff.

 

The Parent’s Role

 

Wrestling can be relatively demanding, not only for the wrestler, but also for the parent. Wrestling clubs typically hold practice sessions two, and sometimes three times per week, in the evening, after the high school practice is over. Many open tournaments during the school wrestling season are held on Sundays, which may conflict with other family plans, but at a minimum require a good deal of preparation, driving and patience.

 

Some tournaments are a good distance from home, and usually require an early start. There are other responsibilities as well, ranging from fund raising activities to helping with tournaments or participating in other team activities. The parent’s role, however, extends beyond such tasks. Matches and practice sessions offer new and unique learning opportunities for young athletes. Involved parents spot these opportunities and make the most of them.

 

Most importantly, kids need support and encouragement. They need to be able to stake claim to something positive about themselves that they can build from in developing self-confidence. Parents can facilitate this process by identifying and reinforcing strengths while helping their child to see past their weaknesses. Your positive reinforcement as a perceptive and caring parent can be the single most significant influence in your child’s athletic development and personal growth.

 

A famous Lao-tsu quote sums it up like this…

“To see things in the seed, that is Genius.”

 

Here’s some additional do’s and don'ts:

 

Don’t impose your ambitions or expectations on your child. Remember that wrestling is your child’s activity. Improvements and progress occur at different rates for each individual. Don’t judge your child’s progress based on the performance of other athletes and don’t push them based on what you think they should be doing.

 

Be supportive no matter what. There is only one question to ask your child, “Did you have fun?” If meets and practices are not fun you should not force them to participate.

 

Do not coach your child. Your job is to support, love and hug your child no matter what. Conflicting advice and criticism work against the coach’s efforts and only serve to confuse and de-motivate your child. If you feel you have the experience and ability to contribute to the team as a coach, volunteer your services through the proper channels.

 

Get involved. Your club needs your help and support. Attend parent and club meetings to find out how you can help. And most importantly, show your child that you care by attending as many meets and tournaments as possible.

 

Acknowledge your child’s fears. Their opponents appear to be much more intimidating through their eyes than through the eyes of a grown-up. Consider their perspective and don’t expect them to compete with the confidence and mental toughness of a seasoned expert.

 

Do not criticize the officials. Unless you have been there, you have no idea how challenging officiating can be. Expect that in some matches your child could lose as a result of an error on the part of an official or score keeper. That’s life. Help your child to understand that the official does their best to score the match fairly, and that it is important that we respect the ruling of the officials regardless of how we feel about the situation.