Coaching Wrestling Successfully

My exposure to wrestling has increase significantly this year. Going from a passionate fan and part time assistant with youth coach to trying to run with the lead on youth and middle school teams. I have found this book quite incredible and very inciteful. I plan to revisit it on an annual basis. Read cover to cover now but will be a reference in the future.

This is a great book for any coach or wrestler,It is a must for anyone involved in the sport.

A good mix of stories, technique, and coaching philosopy. Not everyone will be able to get away with having the coaching style Dan Gable does but he shows how he has made it successful. I would recommend this book to any coach interested in learning and touching the souls of thier athletes.

Many wrestlers and coaches may base their reviews of a coaching book on the quantity or quality of moves found within. I do believe that the book does well in this area. However, its true success is in its discussion and advice on communication, motivation, planning and developing a philosophy. It is what separates it from other "how to wrestle" books. It is a book for coaches. The basics are the most important part of wrestling, not any special tricks or throws. The edge over other teams is found in the little extras a coach can do to make sure his wrestlers are motivated to learn and to win. This book is exactly what I was looking for. I purchased this book just after the 1998-99 season, my fourth as a head high school coach. My credentials include winning Conference Titles in each of those years, coaching the first Team State qualifier from the conference in '98 and '99 and earning various state coaching awards. I am pleased I have done some of the things Gable suggests, but I believe this book can make things even better next season. Also, I haven't ever been any kind of Dan Gable die-hard, although now I understand why people are.

Certainly not all coaches will agree with all of Gable's philosophies and methods. However there is so much quality insight into this legendary winner's approach that it can only make the reader improve. Take from the book what you like, ignore the rest. Every aspect of wrestling is covered, by the most successful American wrestler/coach EVER!

As a former Big Ten and NCAA Division I wrestler, I can honestly say that this book has the potential to change lives. Anyone looking for the truth about wrestling success, or success in any sport, need not look any further. If Dan Gable says its true, it is. Not only does this book demystify what goes on inside the Univ. of Iowa wrestling room, but it reinforces much of what we all know about success. Hard work equals success, and success is contagious. Dan Gable is a builder of champions, and not a day went by in my college career that I did not wish that he was in my corner. This book puts Dan Gable in your corner. Savor every word.