Coaches Corner: Day one to the NCAA

Posted on June 29, 2016 in Uncategorized

Guiding a wrestler from their first day to year one is my favorite process in this sport. We are fortunate to have worked with over 500 first day athletes. Through this experience we developed a system unlike any others. We build youth wrestlers confidence and motor skills before emphasizing competition. Competition can deplete confidence if an athlete is not ready, in year 1 we focus on having fun and learning through the sport until they are mature enough to compete. Most wrestling programs stress competition first, this leads to first year burnout and low retention. We specialize in that critical first day and ultra critical first three months into the sport.

“We separate all new wrestlers into our Level 1 program. The focus is on 5-8 year old developmental skills including: listening, motor control, balance, and confidence.  I foster curiosity, not stifle it, and encourage individual learning. One must first learn to control themselves, before they are able to master the control of others. 100% of the Level 1 campers from last summer are still wrestling today.” – Coach Jeff

For me, this is the most rewarding time. Working with youth who may never have stayed involved in wrestling, but we are able to guide them along until they can develop at their own rate. This has proved to lead to great success with over 100 New Jersey State Champions, 12 NCAA Titles, and two Olympians under the Edge tutelage. But for me the wins aren’t most rewarding; seeing a wrestler find that college acceptance letter or scholarship offer he always dreamed of is what I cherish most.

This year I failed several of our wrestlers. The recruiting process is a hard one, and through the season I had assumed they were on top of SAT / ACT testing and staying in contact with busy college coaches. Normally I push this, and stay on top of connecting our wrestlers with the right schools. This year we were very busy in house, changing programs around so we can better help students, and I feel I let me guys down.  It is a hard place to be as a coach, as they have dedicated thousands of hours, hundreds of days, their lives for this. And I was unable to help them where I excel most. Finding the right fit.

“I am proud of the solutions they have come up with, and know the door for them will be even larger now. They have shown immense maturity in the new career paths they have executed and I am excited to keep working with them to grow their new opportunities, there are bigger doors open for them. As with anything it is time to reset the goal, find a better position, and reach greater heights. Michael and Freddie, I am looking forward to this year for you. Congrats to you both.” – Coach Jeff

From this failure I have grown and am motivated to implement weekly SAT Prep in the loft, more NCAA deadline knowledge and more recruitment process information into the schools, my posts, and our camps. 2016 / 2017 will be a big year for the Edge Kids.

Congrats to our 2016 Graduates and NCAA Signees!