Coaching the Elite Wrestler.

What your athlete needs is for you to get into his head

THOSE OF US WHO HAVE coached a truly elite wrestler know what a joy it is to be at his side as he keeps stockpiling win after win.

You sometimes feel that you don't even have to coach him when he steps onto the mat. His conditioning level is high, his technique is perfect, and his mental approach peerless.

But... there is a reason why the word "lose" remains in our mind. It happens to everyone. Even the Dan Gables and John Smiths lose matches.

And it is at this stage that the coaching of the elite wrestler really begins. After a loss, it isn't easy, but, hey, your wrestler made it easy for you all season and it is now your turn to step up as coach.

First, let me set the stage of my own experience. My "elite" wrestler, Ed Gutnik, lives, eats, and breathes wrestling. As an eight grader, he was NJ state champ and national champ in both freestyle and greco-roman.

His freshman year, he went 31-5 with a fifth-place finish in the state tournament. (Note: Three of his losses were to state champ and current Hofstra standout, Tom Noto, an Asics high school All-American).

Disappointed with his state finish the previous year, Eddie came back his sophomore year with a renewed desire to "win it all." Heading into the district semi-final with several tournament titles under his belt, he was 25-0 when it happened. He lost.

That sent him to the consolation. A second loss would eliminate him from region competition, let alone the state tournament.

Obviously, a post-season tournament is not the only place an elite wrestler can lose a match. So what can we as coaches do?

Speaking from experience, the following things do help:

Don't set absolute goals during the pre-season.

Every year, I have my wrestlers jot down their goals and tape it to their lockers. It can prove very motivational, but be careful of the wording. You don't want them to set any absolutes that could be broken on the first day of the season.

For example, "going undefeated" is a goal that can vanish in a firstday upset. What does your wrestler do then?

It would be wiser for him to focus more on the post-season. Instead of saying "going undefeated," he could say "becoming state champ."

That would allow room for error, but still get him to drive for a goal despite a loss or two. Think of all the state champs and even NCAA champs who suffered losses at the end of the season. Did anyone really care?

Retain your composure after a loss.

Your elite wrestler's loss may be shocking, but you don't want to start screaming at the ref. Your wrestler feels terrible enough; he doesn't have to have his coach come apart.

Remember, if this is a major upset, the crowd is probably also making noise. You have to remain composed and let your wrestler know that the world hasn't ended. Everyone loses. It's what you do after the loss that counts.

Treat him differently.

A lot of coaches won't agree about this, but you really cannot treat all of your athletes the same. After a loss, elite athletes tend to get frustrated with everything. Whether it's executing a drill incorrectly or giving up a point in a match, your wrestler will probably make a big deal of it.

He may need some time off from practice or maybe even a day off to regain his composure.

Remember, this type of kid is going to be hard on himself, and you don't want to make it any worse.

Make wrestling fun again.

As we all know, this is a brutal sport. The elite athlete who loses might be thinking, why do I do this?

Remind him of why he started wrestling--because it was fun! Mix a game or two in with practice; even if it's not wrestling-related. Remember, even elite athletes are subject to burn-out. Fun prevents burnout.

Coach the wrestler, not wrestling.

Any of us can fix someone's single or spiral breakdown, but technique adjustment is not what your wrestler needs. He needs you to get into his head, to refocus and motivate him.

Remember, this kid has probably watched his match on tape several times. Don't beat a dead horse; he needs to know his mistakes, but not dwell on them.

I'm happy to say that Eddie Gutnik went on to win his consolation match, and to place in the states for the second straight year. During the off-season, he won the state greco-roman and freestyle titles and went on to achieve a 36-2 record while placing in the states for the third straight year.