Good coaching isn’t just about giving directions—it’s about creating a space where wrestlers feel safe to speak, ask questions, and learn. If your athletes aren’t communicating, something’s missing. Here’s how to fix it.
Silence Doesn’t Mean Understanding
Just because a wrestler isn’t asking questions doesn’t mean they understand.
Many athletes stay silent not because they get it, but because they’re afraid of looking weak or annoying their coach. That silence can keep them stuck in bad habits and uncertainty.
As a coach, you need to create an environment where speaking up is normal, encouraged, and expected. Because the best wrestlers don’t just grind through confusion—they ask, learn, and adjust.
The Best Wrestlers Ask Questions
There’s a common myth that tough athletes just push through and figure it out on their own. That’s nonsense.
The best wrestlers aren’t the ones who suffer in silence. They’re the ones who actively seek out information, ask for clarification, and make adjustments based on what they learn.
A wrestler who isn’t afraid to communicate will improve faster than one who keeps their struggles to themselves. Make sure your team knows that asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of commitment to getting better.
If Your Team Isn’t Speaking Up, Look at Yourself
If your wrestlers rarely ask questions, don’t assume they just don’t have any. Ask yourself: Have I created a space where they feel safe to speak up?
Do you:
- Shut down or dismiss questions?
- Get visibly frustrated when athletes don’t immediately understand?
- Only engage with your top performers?
If so, you might be unintentionally creating a culture of silence.
Coaches set the tone. If you want wrestlers to ask questions, you need to show them that it’s welcomed—not just tolerated, but expected.
A Good Coach Listens, Not Just Instructs
Wrestlers need to know they can come to you. Here’s how to make that happen:
- Check in regularly. Instead of waiting for them to speak up, ask, “What’s not making sense?”
- Use body language. If you look impatient or frustrated, they’ll shut down. Stay open and engaged.
- Encourage peer discussion. Sometimes wrestlers feel more comfortable talking to teammates first.
- Acknowledge all questions. Even if it’s a basic question, answer it with the same effort as a complex one.
- Make communication part of practice. Normalize feedback loops—both from you to them and from them to you.
A coach who listens creates athletes who learn. It’s that simple.
Asking for Help Isn’t Weakness—It’s Strength
Wrestling is one of the toughest sports there is. But mental toughness isn’t about suffering in silence—it’s about knowing how to learn and improve.
Make it clear to your athletes: Asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s a tool.
The wrestlers who speak up will get better faster. They’ll avoid developing bad habits. They’ll gain a deeper understanding of the sport. And most importantly, they’ll trust you more as a coach.
A culture of communication strengthens your entire program. When athletes feel comfortable speaking up, they improve, your coaching improves, and your team becomes stronger as a whole.
Final Thoughts
If your wrestlers aren’t speaking up, it’s not their problem—it’s yours to solve.
Make communication a priority. Create an environment where questions are encouraged, not judged. Be the coach who listens, not just instructs.
Because the teams that communicate the best? They improve the fastest, compete the hardest, and win the most.