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Next Leavell Inspiration — Coach Edition
Wrestling Coach Observation Guide & Team Discussion Toolkit
Middle & High School
This guide is designed to be used alongside the athlete worksheet after practice, a dual meet, or a tournament.
Use Section 1 to document your observations during competition — what you see from athletes in real time.
Use Section 2 to rate your team's overall focus discipline as a coaching staff.
Use Section 3 to lead a structured team discussion. Pick 2–4 questions from each category that best fit what you observed today.
Use Section 4 to document individual athlete patterns and coaching action items.
Goal: Help athletes recognize the difference between evaluating and executing — and give them a concrete plan to stay locked in on scoring.
Record what you observe during competition. Use this in real time or immediately after matches.
Rate your team as a whole from 1 (Rarely) to 5 (Consistently).
Focus development is a priority area for this team.
Select 2–4 questions from each category based on what you observed. Use these in team meetings, post-match debriefs, or film sessions.
Think about a moment today when you felt completely locked in. What were you focused on in that moment?
Think about a moment today when your mind drifted. What pulled your attention away from the match?
What is the difference between how you think in practice versus how you think during a match?
Who on the team gave up a position or a takedown and then immediately went back to competing hard? What did that look like?
Who struggled to shake off a mistake? What happened to their performance after that moment?
What is the most common thing our team focuses on after giving up points — and is that helping us or hurting us?
When is our team most aggressive — early in the match, or late? Why do you think that is?
If you could only think about one thing for the last 30 seconds of a match, what would it be?
What is the difference between a wrestler who focuses on the score and a wrestler who focuses on scoring?
Name one specific setup, attack, or finish you could have gone to today but didn't. Why didn't you go there?
If your best training partner was watching your match today, what would they say you left on the mat?
Be honest — was there a moment today when you chose to play it safe instead of attacking? What stopped you?
What would your match have looked like if you had wrestled with zero fear of making a mistake?
What is one mental habit you need to change before the next competition?
What specific scoring opportunity do you want to train this week so you feel confident going to it in the next match?
As a team, what is our standard when we give up points? How quickly do we get back to attacking?
What does it look like when one of our teammates is stuck evaluating instead of executing? How can we help each other refocus?
What is one phrase, signal, or reminder we can use from the corner when a wrestler starts evaluating instead of scoring?
What does a wrestler on this team who focuses on scoring the next points look like — and who is closest to that standard right now?
Document focus patterns for individual athletes who need targeted coaching attention.
Athlete #1
Athlete #2
Athlete #3
Athlete #4
Athlete #5
Athlete #6
Based on today, what are the top 3 things you will address before the next competition?
Coaching Reminder
The goal of this framework is not to eliminate mistakes. Every wrestler makes mistakes.
The goal is to teach athletes to respond to mistakes with urgency rather than hesitation — to immediately ask:
"How do I score the next points?"
Athletes who master this skill will out-compete opponents with greater natural ability. The most dangerous wrestler in any room is the one who is always hunting for the next score.
Build the habit in practice.
Reinforce it from the corner.
Debrief it after every match.
Stop evaluating. Start executing.
"Coach Dee has had a powerful impact on our son, Wes, in a way that goes far beyond sports. When Wes first began working with him, he struggled with confidence and often doubted himself when things became difficult. Coach Dee helped him shift his mindset from fear of failure to understanding that growth comes through effort, consistency, and perseverance. Through wrestling, Wes learned how to handle adversity, stay disciplined, and keep showing up even when things didn't go his way. Coach Dee consistently reinforced the importance of delayed gratification and trusting the process, even when results weren't immediate. That guidance helped Wes grow into a more resilient and focused athlete, eventually achieving milestones he once didn't think were possible. What makes Coach Dee especially impactful is that his influence extends beyond a single sport. The mindset he teaches has carried over into baseball and into everyday life. Wes now approaches challenges with more confidence, better focus, and a willingness to learn from mistakes instead of being discouraged by them. Coach Dee doesn't just train athletes..he builds character, confidence, and mental toughness. He holds kids accountable while also believing in their potential, and he has a gift for helping them see what they are capable of before they can see it themselves. We are truly grateful for Coach Dee's leadership and the lasting impact he has had on Wes. His coaching has shaped not just an athlete, but a stronger, more confident Wes."