Finding Connections on a TEAM

By Wm Ostvig on February 1, 2010 10:40 AM | No TrackBacks

At any moment a wrestler can choose to be better, the question is, when will they choose that moment?

Coaching young athletes and a team is like a marriage.  We want the best to work out, we want to fix all the problems and we sometimes think we know the best way to do it.

What we need more of is reflection of the situation as a whole and then in its parts.

We need to have open two-way communication.  Focusing on the Listening.

We need to be willing to let go and move on.

We need to understand that change of the situation begins with us.

 

Suggestions for the team, is to FIND MORE CONNECTIONS:

Ü  Give the wrestlers a day off.  Yet challenge them to do something with each other.

Ü  Watch a sports movie together and then discuss similarities.

Ü  Have the wrestlers answer several questions about the season.  Such as:

o   What is the difference in the team from the beginning of the season to now, both positive and negative.

o   How much do you feel the team is united?

o   How connected do you feel to your team members?

o   How connected do you feel to your coaches?

o   If you could make three improvements to team morale, what would they be?

Ü  Write a letter to the wrestlers that they can read and process. 

Ü  Have one on one interviews with your varsity wrestlers.

Ü  Have a candid discussion with your team captains regarding the performance of the team.

Ü  Make a list of all the positives that have happened during the season and post this in the room with an invitation for others to add to it.

Ü  Have the parents each write a letter to their son filled completely with words of positive encouragement, then have the parents give you the letters to give to the wrestlers after you have shared your positive thoughts about the team.

Ü  Show the highlight video from 2008-09 and try to make connections to creating a new legacy.  Have the team create a list on how to do this.

Ü  Have the varsity wrestlers all volunteer for one of the youth nights and have them in charge of two or more wrestlers for the evening.

Ü  Have the team come together for a service project in the community.

Ü  Have the entire team attend a basketball game together and be the best cheer section, then later discuss the feelings of being in the stands verse performing and how those feelings are felt on the wrestling team.

Team Building

By Wm Ostvig on November 9, 2009 1:46 PM | No TrackBacks 
What do you think it takes to create team unity?
One of my "rules" is that, in competition, all of the boys stand up and clap
for their teammate after each match, win or lose. Sometimes groups are
naturally cohesive, and sometimes cohesiveness needs to be encouraged for it
to happen. With my 06-07 team, they needed little external motivation to
unite and support one another, but they were also blessed with a nearly full
team. The past couple of years, I have been actively attempting to delegate
leadership roles on to the boys. Although there are no formal captains for
the freshman team, I assign individuals to lead the group through pre-match
warm-ups, or stretches in practice. I believe that, if I can inspire
leadership and a sense of ownership from within, team unity will grow. I
always encourage the boys to cheer for one another - to "be loud" when
watching each other wrestle (in competition), and through the strife of
practice, certain fraternal bonds seem to form. If I ever sense divisiveness
or witness an individual engaging in alienating activities, I address the
problem immediately, face-to-face. I'm not sure if this answers your
question, but that was my attempt.

How early will you start to create team unity?
Day one. In wrestling, although it is first and foremost an individual
sport, I try to preach that we are only as strong as our weakest link. By
creating an atmosphere of commitment to the TEAM, it places added incentive
on individuals to better themselves.

What strategies and activities will you use to create team unity?
I like to encourage the boys to swap practice partners regularly. By
drilling with many different team members, the less experienced wrestlers
can learn from the more experienced wrestlers, which is something I find to
be very valuable. Also, toward the end of practice, I (as well as Coach
Bergeland) implement team-based conditioning drills whereby they either
sprint, or do "monkey rolls," among other things, until the coaches deem
they have done a sufficient job. Through this strife, the boys are compelled
to cheer each other on and encourage each other. Bergeland invokes the words
of Thomas Paine quite frequently, stating "If we do not hang together, we
shall surely hang separately." Through encouragement, practice, and
facilitating internal leadership, I believe unity can and will be achieved.

I, too, look forward to working with you, and I'll see you soon! I hope
these answers suit your needs.

-Tony

Tony Bui
Political Science Undergraduate
University of Minnesota
Head 9th Grade Wrestling Coach
Centennial High School


--------------------------------------------------
From: <ostvigwt@umn.edu>
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 11:30 AM
To: "Tony Bui" <bulx0001@umn.edu>
Cc: "Bergeland, John" <JBergeland@ISD12.org>
Subject: Re: MN 9th Grade League Wrestling

> Hello Tony, Great email to the parents and wow, 20 youth for 9th grade,
> that is more than some varsity teams in total. You and others must have
> done a great job on recruiting.
> 
> I look forward to working with you and from the sense I get, your team
> will have quite the success this season.
> 
> As you think about the season, overall what are three to five things you
> feel you will have to work on when it comes to technique for your team?
> 
> What do you think it takes to create team unity?
> How early will you start to create team unity?
> What strategies and activities will you use to create team unity?
> 
> Many thanks, see you on the mat soon.
> Tex
>

9th Grade Team - Skills and Tech.

By Wm Ostvig on November 9, 2009 1:43 PM | No TrackBacks 
To answer your questions:

Technique to work on:
- Stance/footwork! Many of the boys are slow on their feet, and come out of
their stance. I want them to push the pace of the match and be the
aggressor, but many of them at this level have yet to grasp basic fundaments
like a good stance and staying in position.
- Getting out from the bottom! Although many of the kids (like myself) are
not "naturally" fast, I do believe this sense of urgency and explosiveness
can be taught through drilling/constant repetition.
- Wrist control & moving the opponent --> Rather than blindly diving at
their opponents' legs, I strive to teach the kids to control the tie-ups.
Moving the opponent toward us and establishing angles to set up shots from
will be part of the drilling.

Champions of Life and Sport

By Wm Ostvig on October 27, 2009 12:40 AM | No TrackBacks

Creating a systematic and strategic approach to successful athletic development via the values, beliefs and theories of holistic and healthy youth development.

 

Tex Ostvig

Master of Education-University of Minnesota

College of Education and Human Development

 

 

 

I believe that coaches need to:

  • provide each athlete with a voice
  • engage each athlete where they are in life
  • allow each athlete choice
  • provide a safe environment where athletes can increase and improve their lives

 

As I approach athletics, my years of coaching experience and my studies at the University of Minnesota -Youth Development Leadership program I have found that in sports and life, a championed and balanced athlete is one that has mastered the following major areas: mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual.

 

It is the goal of this project to evaluate and enhance work being done through the Centennial High School wrestling program.  It is also the goal of this project to research and prove that all participating athletes can increase their desires to become responsible global citizens, respected servant leaders and role models that leave a legacy of honor, accountability, loyalty, integrity and achievement.

 

It is the goal of this project that all affiliated coaches will be asked to contribute their knowledge and experience that demonstrate the values and role of Youth Development Leadership in the context of athletics. 

 

Coaches will be included in this process through interviews and observations on how they use Youth Development models and theories to enhance the athletic experience of each youth.  Coaches will be asked to share their beliefs and concepts which are needed to promote healthy and holistic youth development in the sport of wrestling.

 

It is the goal of this project to engage all parents and adult guardians of the youth athletes in an effort to solicit their opinions, thoughts and feedback.  Individual and group discussions will also be conducted to involve, inform and engage all participating parents and adult guardians of youth.


As coaches develop with each team they must also develop with each athlete.  My years of experience have concluded that therer are 5 stages of expereince that then result into a full cycle.


1st - Introduction Phase where athlete and coach are establishing their bounderies as well as introduction of styles of communication, expectations and other aspects of the sport.  This also including sharing strategies, thoughts and philosophies.


2nd - Instruction Phase where coach is very dedicated in teaching the athlete all skills and techniques that they need to know in order to be successful.


3rd - Prepartation Phase where athletes and coaches prepare themselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.


4th - Execution Phase begins the moment of first contact, it is the struggle between one opponent and the other.  It is when all the planning, skills, techniques, conditioning, and work all come together in the hopes of personal excellence and possible victory.


5th - Recognition Phase is the time when after the competition is over, each team and athlete are given rewards for their efforts.  It is when those that were victorious are able to stand on a podium, have their picture taken and are immortalized in the pages of history books.


6th - Frustration Phase is when all hopes, dreams and goals have not been reached.  It is when all that was planned is not obtained.  It is when each athlete must decide how much harder are they willing to work.  It is when coaches decided how much more are they willing to give.


7th - Rejunivation Phase is when athlete and coach are ready to move forward and learn from the past but are not stuck in past perfomances.  It is when all are ready to begin the process again and INTRODUCED to new ideas, new strategies and new ways of doing things in order to improve skills and techniques.  It is also a time to refocus on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of each athlete and coach.

Athletic and Coaching Profile

By Wm Ostvig on October 8, 2009 3:12 PM | No TrackBacks 
As of December 2011

3 year experience- Orono Middle School Wrestling Team
4 years experience- Orono High School Wrestling Team (Hall of Fame Coach -David Sohn)
3 years experience -University of Minnesota Wrestling Team (Hall of Fame Coaches- Wally Johnson and J Robinon)
9 years experience- Orono High School Assistant Wrestling Coach
9 years experience- Orono Wrestling Volunteer Coach (High School)
3 years experience - Centennial High School Wrestling Coach Volunteer                    6 years experience- Minnehaha Wrestling Volunteer Coach (High School)                 6 years experience - Orono Youth Wrestling Volunteer Coach (Free, Greco and Folk)7 years experience - J Robinson Wrestling Camps (4x Team Camp Clinician and one year Youth Camp Clinician)
Continue reading Athletic and Coaching Profile.

New Beginnings - 9/29/09

By Wm Ostvig on October 1, 2009 11:23 AM | No TrackBacks
After numerous informal conversations, a 75 minute meeting was held between John Bergeland, (Head Wrestling Coach) and Tex Ostvig (YDL Graduate Student) regarding the potential of working together on a project to promote healthy holistic youth development in the sport of wrestling within the Centennial High School program.

During the meeting a tentative program was outlined that recognized the need to support student  athletes in five areas of youth development.  Each area was discussed and reviewed.  It is the goal of this project to build upon their Strengths and improve any Weaknesses into Strengths.  They include the following:

Mental Strength 
Emotional Strength
Physical Strength
Social Strength
Spiritual Strength

Each of the following areas also have sub sets yet to be determined.

Time line of Project:

October, 2009 - Ostvig to create training model and curriculum for project.
October 25, 2009 - Coaching staff to be introduced to Ostvig and overview of project.
October-November, 2009 - Ostvig to meet with Head Coach for Goals, Assessment and Outcomes.
November, 2009 - Athletes to be asked to complete an essay, "Why do you wrestle?"
Parents to be asked one of the following:
Why do you want your athlete to participate in wrestling? As a parent, how has the sport of wrestling helped your athlete or how do you think it can help your athlete? What life lessons do you hope your athlete learns by the end of the 2009-2010 season?
December, 2009 - Athletes to be asked to fill out a self assessment of the five areas of Strength (MEPSS)
January, 2010 - Athletes will meet with Ostvig in groups by grades 9th (First Week) 10th (Second Week) 11th (Third Week) and 12th (Fourth Week).
January, 2010 - Athletes will meet with Ostvig individually.
February, 2010 - Coaching Staff to meet with athletes in groups and individually.
March, 2010 - Ostvig to meet with Parent Focus Groups
March, 2010 - Ostvig to meet with Athletes in Focus Groups
April, 2010 - Coaching Staff to be interviewed
April, 2010 - Head Coach and Ostvig to Evaluate Project
May, 2010 - Tex to Create and Finish Final Evaluation and Final Project



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