All Access High School Wrestling Practice with Jim Jackson

with Jim Jackson,
Shakopee High School (MN) Head Wrestling Coach;
2019 Minnesota HS 3A Team State Champions;
has coached 65+ Minnesota High School Individual State Champions;
former Apple Valley HS (MN) Head Wrestling Coach;
14x Minnesota HS Team State Championships (at Apple Valley HS);
2x High School National Champions;
overall record of 618-27-3 in 15 years at Apple Valley as head coach (in total, was a part of 32 seasons at Apple Valley and 24 State Championships);
2008 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) High School Coach of the Year;
2002 National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) Wrestling Coach of the Year;
2001 USA Wrestling Magazine National High School Coach of the Year

Wrestling coaches, especially at the high school level, are in for a treat with this All Access practice series featuring Jim Jackson. Coach Jackson is one of the most decorated high school coaches in the nation, having won double digit team state championships in Minnesota along with two national championships.

This unique video offers you the chance to see how Jackson changes his approach to practice from the beginning of the season to the end. Four sessions in total are included - two from December and two from February - to give you an idea of what you should do to get the most out of your wrestlers so they're peaking at the right times and competing for championships.

Structuring Practice

Coach Jackson explains how he structures practice in terms of assigning assistant coaches to coach specific wrestlers based on the rapport each coach has with different athletes. Additionally, the structure of drill sessions is discussed with an emphasis on wrestlers drilling the holds they feel most comfortable with. Fundamentals must continually be stressed, and several great coaching points are shared throughout the drill session.

Pinning Combinations

You'll watch as Jackson's team drills pinning combinations, including a near side cradle and arm bar. Practice concludes with a live wrestling session in which athletes focus on improving positions rather than completing a full match. Situational wrestling is covered in-depth and serves as a huge learning curve accelerator for young wrestlers while limiting risk of injury during an intense practice.

Chain Wrestling and Live Wrestling Drills

Coach Jackson and his staff demonstrate some of the creative practice session structures they have found to keep practices engaging and purposeful. You'll see the "grind match drill" (which is also a great conditioning drill), live wrestling drills such as the "12 point drill' and "3 way drill", and several high intensity exercises that teach, and reinforce, positioning skills and hand fighting.

Escapes and Reversal Techniques

Several escape techniques are taught and drilled in these practice sessions. Included are many ways to create motion to execute both an inside leg and outside leg stand up. Also taught is how to get away from your opponent once they're on their feet, as well as leg in the air defense.

Jackson and his staff work with their wrestlers on several ways to create motion to set up a stand up, plus set ups and finishes to the front headlock series. You'll also see how the switch and switch defense are taught and drilled by Jackson and his staff.

Overall, this is an excellent video presentation over several practice sessions that provide valuable insight into the world of a championship-caliber high school program in one of the most competitive wrestling states in the country. This video set is a 'must have' for all wrestling coaches!

199 minutes. 2019.