MARCH12, 2018

TO: SOUTHERN PLAINS COACHES & STATE LEADERS
FR: RUSTY DAVIDSON
RE: NATIONAL COACHES COUNCIL

Coaches and Leaders,
Congratulations on your outcomes in February and Thank You for the tireless efforts towards the broader outcome of shaping young lives. Congratulations to our D III, D II, NAIA and NCWA champions. So, here we go, D-I… It’s Showtime !
Three things are on my agenda, for this update: Olympic Style Rules Experiments and consideration; some notes on recent activity of your National Coaches’ Council, and some observations on the upcoming Championship in Cleveland.

RULES for GRECO & FREESTYLE
First, and always, DO NOT Panic ! We are into the early middle of the 2020 quadrennium, which makes it time to tweak and test, as we prepare for Tokyo. You’re going to see some new ideas, addressing the same old problems, throughout this spring and summer. There are enough details that I won’t talk you through each point. Instead, let me strongly encourage you to watch a series of very well-done video presentations. Go to uswoa.com
The videos come straight from the horses’ mouth. Zach Errett, UWW Instructor and member of the Refereeing Commission, walks you through, step by step, in a concise, easy to follow format.
These rule adaptations have been tested at some pretty prestigious events. The reviews are mixed, but mostly positive. Most deal with “Negative” Wrestling. This new lingo addresses our age-old battle against passivity. Please, as you prepare your kids, both technically and tactically, remind them that we do know what works. Win the position, win the period. Stay in the center. Score the next point. Either pin ‘emor terminate ‘em. Put yourself in position to win the close one.
COACHES COUNCIL
We have had some discussion about the logistics of the upcoming Final X Series for our World Team selection. This being an entirely new paradigm, there are slightly more questions than answers. That said, we appreciate the efforts of many to breathe new life into the spectator value of our beloved sport.
We have also been spending some really unpleasant time, listening to a growing series of complaints against licensed coaches. As you all know, SafeSport training and certification is now a requirement throughout the Olympic sport family. The organization also serves as a first line of communication, when an athlete or parent feels they’ve been wronged. Once reported, USAW must honor due diligence in researching the claim.



I hate to say it, but some of the stuff we’re having to read goes WAY outside boundaries. Whether you perceive yourself as “Old School” or ultra-progressive… Please, Coach, take proper not of the times our society is living through. Our sport has always taken pride in supporting those core values every society counts on. That said, we live in a time where both information and mis-information are viral and instant. Take advantage of opportunities to collaborate, to get outside opinions. Be a pro-active communicator. When in doubt, ask ! We have a staff experts in our National Office. Protect yourself, your program and your family !

ON THE UP SIDE
As we begin collegiate wrestling’s greatest week, please encourage developing athletes and their parents to listen to the interviews coming out of our champions. I was amazed at the stream of mindful thoughts I heard, from relatively young men and women, as they won conference titles ( or National Championships for the Women). I lost count of how many of these heroes talked about “Enjoying the Process”, “Embracing New Challenges”, “Getting Beaten in the Room”, “Keeping it Simple”, and “Having Fun”.
Legendary Coaches made far more comments about a kid’s Character, than his Technique. They all mentioned program Values. They all credited Alumni and Work-Out Partners. Every interview included more about what the athlete is doing in the classroom, the family, the community, than what they were accomplishing on the mat.
In this day of Social Media and Live Streaming, I hope we are guiding our audience: Our kids and their parents in sorting out what Really Matters. We’ve got to magnetize the words and attitudes of our greatest, to reinforce the promises we made when the kid first walked into the room.

Enjoy the D-I’s and the World Cup. I look forward to seeing many of you in Vegas.

Rusty


Are you making a POSITIVE difference in the life of kids?

Randy Hinderliter
USAW Kansas
KWCA Rep/Coaches Liaison
Ottawa University Volunteer Assistant