Wrestling is a sport that demands physical toughness, mental resilience, and relentless discipline. But one mistake too many wrestlers make? Thinking they have to figure it all out on their own.
The best wrestlers don’t just work hard—they work smart. And that means asking questions, learning from those around them, and using every resource available to improve.
If you want to maximize your potential, here’s why seeking guidance is one of the smartest things you can do.
You Don’t Have to Figure Everything Out on Your Own
Too many wrestlers think struggling in silence is a sign of toughness. It’s not.
The best wrestlers don’t try to figure out every problem alone. They actively ask questions, get feedback, and use the knowledge around them to improve. They know that wrestling is complex, and no one—no matter how talented—gets better without help.
When you seek advice from coaches and teammates, you speed up your learning curve. You fix mistakes faster. You gain insights that would take years to learn on your own.
So stop thinking you have to have all the answers. Instead, start asking the right questions.
If Something Isn’t Working, Speak Up
Coaches aren’t mind readers.
If you’re struggling with a technique or don’t understand why something isn’t working, your coach won’t always know unless you tell them. Too often, wrestlers stay quiet, assuming their coaches will notice their struggles and automatically correct them.
But the truth is, if you don’t speak up, you might never get the answer you need. And that means you’ll stay stuck, repeating the same mistakes instead of making real progress.
If something isn’t clicking, say something. Your coach is there to help, but they can only do that if they know what you need.
Great Wrestlers Are Curious
The best athletes in the world share one thing in common: they never stop learning.
Great wrestlers don’t just rely on their coaches for knowledge. They learn from their teammates, they study matches, and they absorb wisdom from anyone who has been where they want to go.
Curiosity fuels growth. If you want to improve, start asking:
- “What could I have done better in that match?”
- “Why did that setup work for my teammate, but not for me?”
- “What adjustments do I need to make in my stance, positioning, or attacks?”
The more you seek answers, the faster you’ll improve.
No Question is ‘Dumb’ if it Helps You Improve
A lot of wrestlers hold back from asking questions because they’re afraid of looking dumb. But staying quiet when you’re struggling is what really holds you back.
Here’s how to develop a habit of asking questions without hesitation:
- Start small – If you’re nervous, begin by asking questions in one-on-one situations before speaking up in front of the team.
- Be specific – Instead of saying, “I don’t get this move,” say, “I’m struggling to finish single legs when my opponent sprawls—what should I do?”
- Listen actively – When a coach or teammate gives you advice, absorb it, and try to apply it immediately.
- Embrace mistakes – Every mistake is a learning opportunity. The faster you acknowledge what you don’t know, the faster you can fix it.
- Ask often – Make asking questions part of your routine. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.
Take Advantage of the Knowledge in Your Room
Look around your wrestling room. It’s filled with people who can help you get better—if you take the initiative to learn from them.
Your teammates, especially those with more experience, have insights that could change your game. Your coaches have years—sometimes decades—of wisdom. If you don’t tap into that, you’re missing a huge opportunity.
Every wrestler who sticks with the sport long enough eventually looks back and wishes they had asked more questions, sought more feedback, and taken more advantage of the knowledge around them.
Your future self will thank you for seeking guidance now.
Final Thoughts
Wrestling is hard enough as it is—don’t make it harder by trying to do everything alone.
The best wrestlers are the ones who ask, learn, and improve. They aren’t afraid to admit when they don’t know something. They use every resource available to them. And as a result, they develop faster, compete better, and ultimately, succeed more.
So don’t wait. Start asking questions. Start learning from those around you.
Because in wrestling, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s the key to getting better.
