- OUR RESPONSIBILITITES
- 1. Provide a safe physical environment. Wrestling holds an inherent risk, but as a coach I'm responsible for regularly inspecting the practice and competition areas.
- 2. Communicate in a positive way. We will be communicating
not only with our athletes but also with the parents, officials, and administrators,
we want to do so in a way that is positive and that
demonstrates we have the best interests of the athletes at heart.
3. Teach the skills of wrestling. We utilize the innovative “games approach” to teaching and practicing the skills
young athletes need to know—an approach that kids thoroughly enjoy.
This approach will help us meet the goal of helping all athletes be the best they can be.
4. Teach the rules of wrestling. We will teach The rules of Freestyle, Greco Roman, and Folkstyle.
5. Direct athletes in competition. This includes selecting wrestlers in each weight group, relating appropriately to officials and to opposing coaches and athletes, and making tactical decisions during matches. We always keep in mind that the focus is not on winning at all costs, but on coaching our kids to compete well, do their best, and strive to
win within the rules.
6. Help our athletes become fit and value fitness for a lifetime. We will want to help our athletes be fit so that they can wrestle safely and successfully, but you’ll also want them to learn to become fit on
their own, understand the value of fitness, and enjoy training. Thus, it is best not to make them do push-ups or run laps as punishment. We want to make it fun to get fit for wrestling, and make it fun to wrestle so that they’ll stay fit.
7. Help young people develop character. Character development includes learning caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. These intangible qualities are no less important to teach than the skill of a good cradle for the pin. We teach these values to our athletes both by conducting team circles after every match and by demonstrating and
encouraging behaviors that express these values at all times. These are our responsibilities as a coach.

Stephen M. Petricca
Coach "Trick"
USA All Navy Wrestling
Friendship Christian School Assistant Coach
Steven Smith
Coach "Smith"
Cumberland University Wrestler
Friendship Christian School Head Coach
David Mason
Coach "Mason"
Friendship Christian School Assistant Coach
Bill Seamen (Help Staff)
Coach "B"
Former Mt. Juliet HS Wrestler
THE GAMES APPROACH TO TEACHING
We believe that the games approach to teaching is the best methodology. USA wrestling also recommends this style as it engages the students in fun, competitive learning environments while giving them little rewards of accomplishment with each game or drill.
The games approach begins with wrestling . These will be modified
versions of wrestling designed to suit the age and ability of the athletes.
As the kids play in these “mini” games, they begin to understand
the nature of wrestling and to appreciate simple concepts of positioning
and tactics. When our athletes understand what they must do in
the games, they are then eager to develop the skills to wrestle. Now
that athletes are motivated to learn the skills, we can demonstrate wrestling
skills, practice using game like drills, and provide individual instruction
by identifying athletes’ errors and helping to correct them.
