Successful USA Wrestling Coaches Clinic held alongside World Championships in Las Vegas

Participants of the NCEP coaches clinic pose together on the field of play prior to a session at the 2015 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, Nev.


USA Wrestling's National Coaches Education Program (NCEP) hosted a coaches clinic at the 2015 World Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada from Monday, Sept 7 to Saturday, Sept 12.


The clinic was attended by over 30 coaches and included guest speakers including:

• Mike Clayton (NCEP Manager and Gold Certified Coach)

• Gary Mayabb (USA Wrestling Gold Certified Coach and Head Coach at Staley High School MO)

• Ken Chertow (Ken Chertow Wrestling)

• Dr. Hamid Kermanshah (Nutrition Specialist)

• Wrestling legend Bobby Douglas (USA Wrestling Gold Certified Coach)

• Sonny Greenhalgh (Longtime NYAC Wrestling chair and coach)

• Mike Hagerty (Blue Springs MO, USA Wrestling Gold Certified Coach)

• Tom Justice (USA Wrestling Gold Certified Coach PA)

• Don Murray (Head Coach at SUNY-Brockport NY and USA Wrestling Silver Certified Coach).


The clinic covered topics including Long Term Athlete Development, Risks of Early Specialization, Nutrition/Hydration and Program Planning and Progressions. There were amazing group discussions on topics such as helping athletes improve their strength, balance, coordination and technique through developing solid periodization plans for the season that are designed for athletes by age and developmental level.


Coaches from more than a dozen states travelled to Las Vegas for the the World Championships and the coaches clinic.


“The more I am exposed to such wonderful people I see and learn what it takes to be a true champion. I experience amazing cultural diversity first-hand and see how people can be so different, yet so alike,” said Jon Duplessis of Accent Wrestling Club of North Carolina.


USA Wrestling will host the annual Fall Coaches Clinic (Silver College) at the Olympic Training Center from October 15-18, 2015. This clinic will be followed by the next Silver College at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City, Iowa in April.


Attendance at a Silver College is one part of the elite Coaches Silver Level Certification with USA Wrestling.


Coaches can also now take the USA Wrestling Bronze Level Coaches Certification via online delivery by visiting www.TheMat.com - click on "Coaches" and then "Certification" and then "Certification Clinics."


Coaches looking for local in-person clinics in your area can find info on USA Wrestling state association websites or on www.TheMat.com selecting the same links above.