Improving Leg Attacks & Building a Successful Wrestling Program

and Mike Clayton,
USA Wrestling National Coaches Education Program Manager;
Former Head Coach at Stevens Institute of Technology;
2008 NCAA Division III Rookie Coach of the Year

and Joe Russell,
US National Freestyle Assistant Coach;
former George Mason University Head Coach and Assistant Coach at the University of Minnesota

Mike Clayton and Mike Duroe take on common problem positions for youth and high school wrestlers. This is a wonderful training video where both coaches take insightful questions from the field and answer them on the spot.

Joe Russell has an extensive background in wrestling and coaching. Along the way, he has put together a guide book that goes out to each of his athletes. This helps all parties to be on the same page and a true part of the program.

On the Mat: Coaching Techniques

Coaches Clayton and Duroe field questions regarding technique, but also cover finishing and countering a head inside single. Their focus is on when to let go of the leg as well as how to counter this shot.

Clayton begins with basic understanding of when a good time is to hang onto the leg and let go of it. This sequence leads to discussion on the importance of having good mobility in order to finish and some complete finishes from a head inside.

He also discusses the importance of connecting with your athletes and including them in the teaching aspect of coaching as well as sitting down with your assistants and getting their involvement or technique to assist the athletes. Clayton completes with some finishes and how to coach young kids.

Coach Duroe discusses the importance of position and how to integrate it into a practice. He firmly believes in having high and low level guys in the room at the same time in order to grow everyone. He also discusses how getting up off the mat is of primary importance after hitting a shot. This leads into several ways to get to a single and how hand fighting makes that easier.

From a more technical aspect, Duroe covers basic positioning for his short offense and how he continues to win those positions. Finally he fields a question about crossfacing; when, how, and the most important aspects of it. Coach Duroe has a good pedigree in coaching athletes at the highest levels of the sport.

Lecture: The George Mason Way

Coach Russell provides a description of materials that he provides to each of his athletes to ensure they are all on the same page and know what is expected. He also goes through some of his general team philosophy of technique

The first part of his guidebook is a section on general expectations and priorities. This gives a rough outline to his philosophy, the team culture, and some principles of success. He talks about how important it is to take care of each other and how to "Maintain excellence in everything we do." He stresses time management and his code of conduct that holds athletes accountable.

In the second section, Russell focuses on technique strategy. This includes the general items that are practiced during the season as well as all the "fun stuff" that will be gone over in the off-season. He outlines the difference between high percentage and low percentage technique and why it's important to differentiate between the two. Finally, he goes through his philosophies in each position on the mat.

As a conclusion, Coach Russell writes about his off the mat strategies. This includes items such as life skills, "How do we win in other areas of life," and "Fake it until you make it." This is a great section because typically, if our lives outside of wrestling are squared away, the wrestling part is easier!

157 minutes (2 DVDs). 2018.