Howard Sheley was the head wrestling coach for Hastings High School in Hastings, Nebraska for many years. I had the privilege of serving as an assistant coach with Howard in the mid 80’s.
Cleaning out old files I found a Handbook that he produced for the team.
His entry on excuses made a lot of sense then and it still does today.
Wrestling: A Sport Where Excuses are Useless
Just in case anyone is going to give some reason for losing a match, or is looking for some excuse, then let me save you the time. Below is a group of excuses for you to use. All you have to do is give the number.
1. I ate too much.
2. I didn’t eat enough.
3. I wasn’t “psyched.”
4. I didn’t warm up.
5. I warmed-up too much
6. I couldn’t breath.
7. I thought I was having a heart attack.
8. He was choking me.
9. I couldn’t get to sleep last night.
10. My headgear didn’t fit.
11. I was too cold.
12. I was too hot.
13. But, Coach, I wasn’t pinned.
14. The referee cheated me.
15. My girlfriend just cheated on me.
16. I have an emotional problem.
17. I was too tired to move.
18. My shoes were too tight
19. The coach doesn’t like me.
20. My parents don’t like me.
21. Nobody likes me.
Some of the above are humorous, but other are of the serious nature. Let’s examine some of the more “weighty” alibis to which I am sure we can all relate.
“But Coach, I wasn’t pinned!” In case you are anticipating using this one, remember this one thing, no referee ever called a pin when both wrestlers were on their feet. Stay off your back.
“The Coach doesn’t like me!” Most of us have had bad practice sessions. Further, all of us have had a coach yell at us. But remember we do not dislike any one of you. If we care enough to “get on your case” then we care about you and how you are effecting this team. When we stop disciplining you for loafing or making mistakes, then you better start worrying.
“Nobody likes me” Probably not true. Many people like you. Some you know about and some you do not. Just look around. In case you are unpopular with your classmates, teammates, etc. then evaluate yourself. Maybe it is something you are doing. If it is, then take responsibility to change and work to improve.
“The Referee Cheated me” Oh yes, when in doubt, it’s so much easier to blame someone else. But really, who was wrestling out there? I am not saying that officials do not make mistakes, but if they do, we can hopefully correct it before the next match. You just go out and wrestle you’re hardest and give it your all and you won’t have to worry about the referee cheating you.
The following list is probably a better group of reasons for losing a match.
1. You better train harder.
2. You weren’t mentally prepared.
3. You let him get the first take down.
4. You didn’t explode off of the bottom.
5. You stalled on top instead of going for the pin.
6. You put yourself in bad position and ended up on your back.
7. You simply quit and gave no effort.
8. He was a better wrestler than you were and you haven’t trained to close the distance.
Howard Sheley, 1984
