As a coach, I need to stand on my principles. However, it's my obligation to keep the sport fun. I'm a hard nose coach and expect the best from everyone I coach......I was taught not to wear my feelings on my sleeves. If my coach told me to run through a steel wall, I would try to do it. I expected everyone I coached to be like was. Truth is, they are not. I have some thoughts, but I'm looking for some help. I'm trying to soak up all the knowledge I can get.

How do you keep your team together when you have talented wrestler/player who don't give the max effort on a regular basis?********That is a tough one, mainly because I ahve a son that is not a great practice kid, but when it is tourney time, steps it up. Gotta ride 'em hard, and use it against them when they get beat. "if you'd quit jacking around at practice, you might whip that guy"*******

How do you deal with wrestlers/players who mouth off?*****Have him sit in the corner, make sure mom and dad know what happened. Let them know that disrespecting his coach is the fastest way to not be able to wrestle anymore*****

How do you deal with talented wrestlers/players who don't buy into your program? *******That is typically a parent problem. Mom or Dad is telling them something different at home. "that coach don't know sh*t, you keep doing what I tell you" Talk to them, explain your system, and point out all of the kids that it has worked for******

How do you motivate these wrestlers/players w/o kissing their butt, or losing your principles?*******How many times have you seen a big name professional player leave a team, and after that player left, the team got better? Lots of times. There are kids/parents taht can be a cancer to the team. Best to get rid of them early, before it spreads.*****

How do you convey your message w/o losing them?****YOu are a stand up guy, and that is why people respect you. If the kids and parents won't respect you for that, they're not worth keeping around.******
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