Foreword: Bob Siddens Dan Gable redefined the term wrestling champion, setting a new standard of excellence for athletes and coaches. Defeated only once throughout his high school and college wrestling careers and unscored upon in his 1972 Olympic gold medal performance, Gable didn’t just win on the mat, he dominated his opponents in a relentless, physical style. Gable brought that same competitive toughness and determination to mastering coaching-and the championships came, year after year. In the 21 seasons he was head coach, his University of Iowa teams won 15 national championships and 21 Big Ten championships. Now, in Coaching Wrestling Successfully, Gable presents the blueprint to becoming a wrestling champion. He covers every facet of his formula for success-a guiding philosophy, proven motivational tools, guidelines for proper nutrition and weight control, daily and year-round practice plans, effective instructional methods, correct wrestling technique, and winning match strategies. Coaches will find fascinating Gable’s formula for success and anecdotes involving his handling of teams and individuals. Athletes will benefit from the folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman moves and drills. Wrestling fans will enjoy the stories involving Gable and many of the greatest names in the sport. And every reader will marvel at how the master of motivation pushed himself and his wrestlers beyond their perceived potential. Gable made sure that Coaching Wrestling Successfully achieved the same standard of excellence that he demanded of himself as a wrestler and a coach. The result is a championship effort, full of lessons from the legend, from cover to cover. About the Author Dan Gable is the most successful figure to ever wrestle and coach the sport. His accomplishments as an athlete on the mat and as a mentor for many years after that have established him as one of the greatest champions in all of sports. As a high school wrestler in Waterloo, Iowa, Gable won all 64 of his matches and three state championships. At Iowa State University he compiled a 118-1 wrestling record, while claiming two NCAA championships. He still holds NCAA records with 24 straight pins and 99 straight victories. At the 1972 Olympics, he won a gold medal without surrendering a single point to any of his six opponents. In his six Olympic matches and the 15 matches he went through to qualify for the Olympic team, Gable posted a 21-0 record and outscored his opponents 130-1. Gable’s coaching record is even more impressive. During 21 seasons as head coach, his University of Iowa teams won 15 NCAA championships and 21 Big Ten Conference championships. His teams had an unprecedented .932 winning percentage (355-21-5). He also coached the 1984 United States Olympic wrestling team to seven gold medals. Gable has been inducted into both the Olympic Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 1996, he was listed as one of the top 100 U.S. Olympians of all time. Now serving as the assistant to the athletic director at the University of Iowa, Gable continues to work with world-class wrestlers, overseeing their training in preparation for major national and international competitions. Gable keeps his home in Iowa City, and when not involved with Hawkeye athletics or national speaking engagements, he enjoys outdoor activities with his family, especially camping, boating, fishing, and wildlife sightseeing. Table of Contents Part I: Coaching Foundation Chapter 1. Developing a Wrestling Coaching Philosophy Chapter 2. Communicating Your Approach Chapter 3. Motivating Wrestlers Chapter 4. Building a Championship Wrestling Program Part II: Coaching Plans Chapter 5. Planning for the Season Chapter 6. Planning for Practices Part III: Coaching Skills and Tactics Chapter 7. Teaching Folkstyle Skills and Drills Chapter 8. Teaching Freestyle and Greco-Roman Skills Chapter 9. Developing Advanced Wrestling Skills Chapter 10. Striving for Perfection Part IV: Coaching Matches Chapter 11. Preparing for Meets and Matches Chapter 12. Coaching Matches Part V: Coaching Evaluation Chapter 13. Evaluating Wrestlers’ Performances Chapter 14. Evaluating Your Program Appendix: Wrestling Publications Words of Praise "Dan Gable is a legend in wrestling and one of the greatest sports coaches of all time. In Coaching Wrestling Successfully, Gable shares many of the secrets to his astonishing success. This is a must-read for wrestling coaches and athletes who wish to achieve their best." Jim Scherr Executive Director USA Wrestling "Strive for perfection and you will achieve excellence. Dan Gable’s record of achievements will go unchallenged!" Bill Weick Head Wrestling Coach Mt. Carmel High School (IL)