Wrestling is arguably one of the most physically exhausting sports in the world. Michael Rankin, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Drexel University, provides insight on how to prepare for wrestling at the college level, not only for the players, but the coaches as well. For coaches, he shares Dick Vermeil’s 7 Common Sense Principles of Leadership and some coaching tips. Then, he breaks down Drexel's specific goals for wrestling. Finally, he shows the specific workouts he uses to prepare his wrestlers for their matches. In order to wrestle at a high level, the athletes must train at a high level.

1. Physical Preparation for
Collegiate Wrestling

2. Thank You!
• Doug Smith & Niki DeSantis
• John Sheffield, Renee Johnson-Allen,
Anthony McCloskey & Steve Maze
• Drexel University
• Matt Azevedo & Zack Sheaffer
• Mike Boyle, Walter Norton Jr., Ed
Lippie
• Leo Totten
• Juniata Presenters and Participants

3. Dick Vermeil’s
7 Common Sense Principles of Leadership
1. Make sure people know you care
about them
2. Be a good example
3. Create an atmosphere that people
enjoy working in
4. Define, Delegate, then lead
5. Bring energy to the workplace
6. Build relationships as you implement
your process, vision and value system
7. Establish credibility by being sincere,
believable and trustworthy

4. Principles
• Mirror Principle - the first person we must examine is ourselves
• Hammer Principle - never use a hammer to swat a fly off
someones head
• Elevator Principle - we can lift people up or take people down in
our relationships
• Gardening Principle - all relationships need cultivation
• Exchange Principle - instead of putting others in their place, we
must put ourselves in their place

5. Reading List
• Winning with People
by John C. Maxwell
• Wooden on Leadership
by John Wooden and Steve
Jamison
• Dick Vermeil
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=mGgz-WO-0VE

6. Drexel Wrestling
• It all Starts with Matt Azevedo
!
!
!
• Communication & Support (Anthony McCloskey)
• Plan Annual Goals - Discuss Incoming Freshman (Summer Program)
• Coaches Actively Involved
• Science & Hell

7. Specific Goals
• Strength = Foundation
• Power
• Conditioning
• Mental Toughness
• Flexibility
• Nutrition
• Recovery
• Recruiting

12. Video by: Robert Brooks

13. People don’t care how much you know until they
know how much you care. -John C Maxwell

14. Michael R. Rankin, CSCS
!
Drexel University
Director of Strength & Conditioning
Department of Athletics
34th & Ludlow Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19104
!
P: 215-895-2026
C: 610-637-4451
E: mrr36@drexel.edu