Wrestling Hand Signals

During the match, my comments are always brief and calm. I use my hands rather than voice as much as possible, to avoid having the crowd drown out my messages:

Both thumbs up means, "You're doing fine, keep trying the same technique."

Lifting and dropping my hands palm down toward the mat means, "Ride him and look for the pin."

A tap on my leg and then my neck tells my wrestler to ride with the legs and use the power half.

Extending one arm forward repeatedly with a flat palm down means I want my wrestler to shoot or attack the legs.

Grabbing my ankle suggests my wrestler should do the same to his opponent on the bottom.

You can develop your own signals or imitate mine. I know a coach who calls out numbers to indicate the techniques he wants his wrestlers to use in match - for example, #1 refers to a single leg attack while #2 means they should attempt a double leg. His thinking is that his wrestlers' opponents won't know what to expect. Whatever signals or verbal cues you choose, be sure you preview them frequently at practice prior to any competition.

If I do shout it often is only to remind them of the score, the remaining time ("Short time"), or their proximity to the boundary. I want them focused on the opponent, not any yelling from me or the fans. I think this shift away from a dependency on me to guide them through each step of a match gives them confidence through any match.

thats a very good strategy, i hope a lot of coaches read this and start implimenting it.