Great coaching isn’t just about technique, conditioning, and match strategy. It’s about trust. If your wrestlers don’t trust you, they won’t go all in for you.
And if they won’t go all in, you’ll never get their best.
Want to be a coach your athletes will run through walls for? Then you have to connect with them beyond the mat. Here’s how.
Trust Isn’t Given—It’s Earned Through Consistency
If you think winning alone earns trust, you’re wrong. Trust isn’t about results; it’s about showing up, day in and day out.
Athletes need to know you’re reliable. If you praise them after a win but ignore them after a loss, you’re inconsistent. If you preach discipline but don’t hold yourself to the same standard, you’re a hypocrite.
They see everything. And they remember everything.
Be the coach who’s there—through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Earn trust by being steady, fair, and present. Every single day.
Feedback Shouldn’t Only Come After Mistakes
If the only time a wrestler hears your voice is when they mess up, that’s a problem.
Too many coaches only speak up when they see a mistake. But if criticism is the only thing you give, your athletes will start to tune you out—or worse, fear your voice.
The fix? Catch them doing something right. Praise effort, not just wins. Recognize the kid who’s staying late, who’s fighting through exhaustion, who’s pushing a teammate to be better.
That doesn’t mean handing out fake compliments. It means making sure they know you see their hard work.
Because when they feel valued, they’ll keep showing up. And they’ll be more open to your tough feedback when it matters.
Know Your Wrestlers as People, Not Just Competitors
Want your athletes to trust you? Start by knowing who they are beyond wrestling. Here’s how:
- Ask about their goals – What do they want out of the sport? Out of life? You can’t help them get there if you don’t know where they’re going.
- Listen more than you talk – A lot of coaches love to give speeches. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is listen.
- Be aware of what’s happening outside the room – School stress, family issues, injuries—if you don’t know what’s weighing them down, you can’t coach them effectively.
- Check in when it’s not about wrestling – A simple “How’s your day?” before practice goes a long way.
- Respect their individuality – Not every wrestler is the same. Some need an arm around the shoulder. Some need a kick in the ass. Know the difference.
When an athlete feels like they matter beyond the scoreboard, they’ll push harder for you.
The Best Coaches Build Wrestlers AND People
The ultimate goal isn’t just to create great wrestlers—it’s to create disciplined, tough, and resilient people.
Wrestling ends for everyone at some point. Character doesn’t.
Coaches who invest in their athletes as people leave a legacy far beyond trophies. They build young men and women who become leaders, workers, and fighters in life.
And here’s the kicker: Those same athletes will go harder for you when they know you care about them as a person, not just a point scorer.
Final Thoughts
If you want to get the most out of your wrestlers, start by giving them a reason to trust you.
Be consistent. Recognize effort. Know them beyond the mat. And make it clear that you’re coaching the person, not just the performance.
Because when an athlete trusts you, they’ll run through walls for you.
And that’s how you build a team that wins—not just in wrestling, but in life.