Our society has placed a huge importance on achieving success in athletics and rightly so for every athlete. Unfortunately, success is often measured soley by becoming the literal best. Winning the State, National or World Title. If we run the numbers of those who actually achieve those titles, the percentage is very small in relation to the total number of athletes competing. So as a coach, how do I relay a message that resonates with every kid in the room, when many of them will become nothing more than a 2nd teamer or workout partner for those with more talent?
Achieving success as many Gold medalists will tell you is found more in the road traveled to get there. The lessons of hard work, sacrifice, long weary workouts when you sometimes don't score a point, and many other life lessons and charactor building situations where our inner being is affected in such a distinct and positive way, that we become simply a better person, an encourager, a positive role model, a friend that one's teammates know they can count on to point them in the right direction. One great example I and my teammates had when competing in college was a man named Vic Janowic. When he arrived in the room as a freshman, he was w/o a doubt the worst wrestler in the room. When he left 4 years later he was still the worst wrestler in the room. But his work ethic, his willingness to stay after if someone needed a drill partner, his effort in his studies and his caring manner with which he helped anyone who asked, spoke volumes about the man we all learned to love. A few years after his graduation, he suffered a brain anorism (sp)that ended his life. He certainly wasn't a champion or successful as the world would measure success, but the completely packed church service as we honored this special man at his funeral, said it all. He was a man of special character, a true champion who always gave more than he took. As coaches and athletes, we have a unique opportunity to influence many lives by who we become and how we live our lives, regardless of the medal count and awards won. Building young athletes of character and integrity will reap far more valuable benefits than the trophies, medals and awards that will someday end up in a box in the basement. That's where all my stuff is! I'm so thankful for the many examples like Vic Janowic who've impacted my life and helped me to learn and also teach, true life lessons of a Champion!

As the rules have changed over the years with the myriad of choices offered to the wrestlers as they begin the second period, I regularly watch both wrestlers and coaches make choices that really don't make any sense. If I've taken you down say a couple of times and riddin the garbage out of you in the first period, why would I give you the choice to take your favorite position and maybe begin catching up. If I've proven myself superior in two of the three positions, (takedowns and top position)
why wouldn't I continue to expand my lead in the proven rather than take a chance in the unproven position,(down position) and find out that you're a cradle maniac and suffer a humiliating loss after having been in control of the match. I've seen it happen waaaay too often. My philosophy is: If I'm ahead and it's my choice 2nd period, I want to choose the position that has the BEST chance of increasing that lead, if I'm behind on the scoreboard, I want to choose the position that BEST enables me to catch up on the scoreboard. Why would I give my opponent his best opportunity to score when he has more energy in the 2nd period and then expect to do whatever I want in the 3rd when I may be considerably more tired. Contact me at mac@goldbucklewrestling.com if you'd like to discuss these strategies!

Happy New Year everyone!

This new website should revolutionize the opportunities people in our sport have to access vital information in most every area of wrestling.
Our desire is to not only provide top level techniques but also to provide guidance in nutrition, strategy, mentoring and a variety of areas that help comprise the total athlete.
We're excited to be here to help meet your needs.
Upcoming technique videos will cover (notso cheap)tilts and turns that help put a close match in your control!
Looking forward to serving you in the new year!
Mike McArthur