Athletes and Coaches That Stay Hungry for Knowledge Win Big

Athletes and Coaches That Stay Hungry for Knowledge Win Big
By Steve Fraser
July 27, 2010

After coaching wrestling at the international level for more than 15 years I can say that I have learned a lot. However, that said I realize that I still need to learn much more.

I believe coaching athletes requires a continuous growth in 'coaching tactics' and 'methods'. A growth that will allow us to reach our ever changing students. Kids, teens and adults evolve each year with different attitudes and motivations. Generations change and coaches need to understand those changes.

Over the years I have had to deal with a wide variety of athletes. I have learned that one style of coaching doesn't always work with the diverse new individuals that come up through the ranks each year. I have learned that a coach must be open minded and flexible in his or her coaching style while still holding firm with their personal principles that they believe are essential in helping athletes succeed.

A successful coach must be able to identify an athlete’s personal style and individual personality and then coach to that style. This can be very challenging.

Athletes need to continue to learn as well. And I don't mean just learn new techniques. They need to learn how to be great students and remain coachable as they advance in their careers. If there is one major thing I have summarized over the years as a coach it is this:
Athletes that are opening minded and coachable have the best chance of becoming their best.

Athletes that are hungry for knowledge and open to coaching seem to achieve at a higher level in my opinion. Athletes that are always searching for more! Searching for more technique, more strategy, more cunning, more strength, more conditioning, more flexibility, and more experience are the athletes that gain the most. Wrestlers that are never satisfied with the skills or knowledge that they currently have mastered seem to climb to the top more rapidly.

I can go down the list of our past Greco World and Olympic medalists to site examples of guys that were very coachable and hungry for knowledge each and everyday. Matt Ghaffari, Rulon Gardner, Dremiel Byers, Matt Lindland, Joe Warren and Adam Wheeler to name just a few.
These men were (and in some cases still are) truly on a quest to become world class wrestlers. They were/are in a constant search for knowledge from coaches, mentors, teammates and even opponents.

A threat that I sometimes see is when some wrestlers get a taste of success it then goes to their head. All of a sudden some athletes become un-coachable. The Prima Donna syndrome sets in. This usually is a death sentence for these athletes.

Years ago I asked Dan Gable what was one of the most important things he did to become so good. His comment to me was "I always tried to be a bit naive when someone was giving me advice". What I drew from this comment was that Gable listened to many people, digested the advice and took what he felt could make him better. Even the great Dan Gable with all his success understood the importance of remaining coachable.

The question all wrestlers, especially the wrestlers that start to achieve a degree of success, need to ask themselves is this:

1. Do I have it totally figured out now?

2. Can I limit or cut back all the tough grueling training, competitions and discipline that got me where I am today?

3. Do I have all the knowledge and technique that I will ever need?

4. Should I listen to only one coach when trying to succeed?

If you answer these questions with a resounding "no" then I can - without a doubt - say "see you at the top!"

UFC 117 post fight press conference

$60,000 fight-night bonuses:

- Fight of the Night: Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
- Submission of the Night: Anderson Silva
- Submission of the Night: Matt Hughes
- Knockout of the Night: Stefan Struve

Dana White - "I don't know if we'll do an immediate rematch [Silva vs. Sonnen]. Not sure if Vitor Belfort is next."

Dana White - "Thiago Alves doesn't belong at 170, he belongs at 185, that's where I'd like to see him at 185. I'm going to pressure him."

Chael Sonnen - "I’m devastated. My heart is broken. It hurts really bad. But look he [Anderson Silva] is a good fighter and he found a way to win, that's what champions do."

Anderson Silva - "A week and a half ago, I had a bad injury to my rib. The doctor told me not to fight but the show must go on. It's not an excuse."