How do you become a better wrestler? 

 

The answer to that question is very simple, just work hard, right!  I believe Lee Kemp answered this question the best. He answered it by posing three questions. "Who do you listen to? Are you coachable?  Are you willing to change? 

First, you must get coaching from someone who has proven they can get you to where you want to go. Have they produced State Champions? This does not mean coaches that were not state champions can't coach you to be a state champion. Good coaches are always learning from the best and taking their wrestlers to camps and clinics where they can both expand their knowledge base of wrestling and expose you to world class wrestling. Who are the great wrestlers in our sport that you have been exposed to? Next, Are you willing to create a plan and accept the advice from your club coaches or go it alone? I have these quotes from my dad that should help guide you. He said, "if you want more of what you have, continue to do what you are doing. If you don't want more of what you have, change what you are doing". Finally, I believe you must add one more piece to the equation. Does your coach use digital technology? You must video your wrestling matches and practices to help you reach your maximum goal. The use of strategic video analysis and technology has helped to leap frog many athletes ahead of their competition.  In fact, it was this very same video technology that allowed the Americans to catch up and pass the Russians in wrestling. One of the best examples of getting better from video technology is illustrated in a book called, The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman. Did you ever think America would lose an Olympic Gold medal in men's basketball after The Dream Team? They did and video digital technology played the biggest role. Coaches in Europe watch many late night games of American basketball. The rest is history as America's best basketball team suffered a loss in the Olympics. I encourage all of my wrestlers and students to read Thomas Friedman's book, The World is Flat. Your success is just a click away with the properly trained digital video eye in wrestling.