Read these two first!

• Club Organizing Guide - This 112-page, comprehensive guide is a must read for anyone who is forming or operating a wrestling club.
• Club Tips - Here's some tips from the coaches who frequent the Art of Coaching forum on TheMatForums.com

Organization

• Club Constitution and Bylaws - If you're thinking of starting a wrestling club, you'll need a constitution and bylaws. Here's an excellent example.
• Club Vision and Mission Statements - Here are some samples of vision and mission statements for wrestling clubs.
• Coaching Duties - Are you making effective use of your assistants? Is it clear to everyone what their jobs and responsibilities are? If not, you better read this!
• Delegate! - Coaches who can't or won't delegate create a bottleneck to productivity - and success. Here's some pointers.

Communication

• E-mail Club Example - E-mail is fast, easy and much cheaper than the post office. Here is an example of how a club can use it.
• Team Book - This is given to the wrestlers at the start of the season. There are lots of pages here you'll want your kids to read!
• Club Newsletter example: Storm the Mat - Apple Valley, MN
• Club Website example: The Edge - Martinsville, NJ

Coaching

• Off-Season Program - This article is about creating a program to get kids to participate in off-season wrestling activities.
• Coach's Code of Conduct - Many wrestling organizations are looking to create a coach's code of conduct. Here's the one used by Kansas USA Wrestling.
• Skill-based Teams - One of the major problems of coaching young wrestlers is getting them to learn and execute good technique. A system of skill-based teams or levels might be the solution for recreation and youth programs.
• Team Alpha checklist - This is a checklist of skills for a beginner's level team.

Promotion

• Club Brochure Example - Here is a good example of a brochure for a club.
• Promoting Your Team - Here's some tips that you can use to help promote your club so that your wrestlers receive the media coverage they deserve.
• Promotional Booklet - This is a single-page, double-sided booklet that gives some reasons for wrestling and is excellent for recruiting new grapplers. It is a legal-size (8.5x14) sheet and is available in two formats: Appleworks (outside - inside) and PDF (outside - inside).

Motivation

• Motivation - Part I - Challenge
• Motivation - Part II - Achievement
• Motivation - Part III - Recognition
• Participation Cards (Entire sheet) - Do you like to collect things? Well, most people do, including wrestlers. Here's a motivational aid they'll like!
• Send an E-Card - Coaches, now you can send an Internet E-Card to wrestlers and fans. Congratulate a grappler on their first varsity win or pin; thank a tournament worker for their help; send a note to fans wishing them a happy holiday; and many more uses. It's free and there are nearly 20 wrestling graphics and photos to choose from. Bad news: To our knowledge you must send one card at a time; you can't do a group or bulk mailing.

Books, DVD's and Videotapes

• 101 Wrestling Drills and Games - This new book focuses on fundamental drills every coach can use with his wrestlers so they avoid position mistakes, improve their strength and stamina, and enhance their athleticism. The 100+ drills and games are thoroughly explained with locations, descriptions, and coaching points, and cover: warm-up and flexibility, agility, neutral position-offense, neutral position-defense, top position, bottom position, endurance, stamina, and strength, resistance training, competitive wrestling drills, and more. Contains nearly 80 photographs.
• 101 Ways to Motivate Athletes - This book addresses the most important part of coaching: motivating athletes. It offers over 100 specific and detailed ideas for establishing a positive team culture and a successful, winning organization. Includes ideas for the preseason, early in the season, all season, midseason, postseason and more. Ideal for coaches and administrators of all sports with athletes at any level of play.
• Nunamaker's Videotape Series - If you want to learn how to coach from a legend you need see him in action in the practice room. This outstanding, five-tape video series brings you inside the Nazareth High School (PA) wrestling room and covers sessions from the first day of practice until the week before the States. Each tape contains at least two hours of valuable information including practices, promotion tips, fund-raising activities, weight control, conditioning and many other aspects of coaching. Great for wrestling coaches at all levels! More details. Purchase here.
• Chertow's Kids Wrestling DVD #6 - This DVD is a must buy for coaches and parents of wrestlers ages 14 & under, as well as the wrestlers themselves.  Ken has two 10-year olds demonstrate and drill the techniques that every youth wrestler must master, while also pointing out the many mistakes young wrestlers tend to make. This DVD is an essential tool for everyone involved in youth wrestling, with a strong emphasis on takedowns, bottom moves, drills, and training philosophies.