Course Description
The NWCA Scholastic Coaches Leadership Academy prepares high school wrestling coaches to deliver exceptional coaching grounded in educational values, athlete development, and safe, healthy training environments. Participants learn essential leadership skills, sport science and medicine fundamentals, program-building strategies, and best practices for working with today's student-athletes.
The course equips coaches to create positive team cultures, engage parents and school communities, support student-athlete mental health, develop responsible leaders, and manage key administrative responsibilities. Coaches finish the program with a personalized coaching plan they can use immediately in their own school setting.
Course Prerequisites
None
Grading Scale
Pass = 79.5% | No Pass <>
Course Objectives
- Apply evidence-based strategies to support the whole student-athlete while modeling the values of scholastic athletics.
- Develop a clear program vision, recruit and retain student-athletes, and implement effective administrative routines that strengthen long-term success.
- Implement best practices to support the safety, health, and well-being of wrestlers.
- Develop leadership and life skills in student-athletes that align with school and district educational missions.
- Strengthen communication and collaboration with parents and the school community to build a positive public image and brand for the program.
- Apply best practices in coaching across diverse athlete populations that fosters an inclusive team culture.
Topic Outline
Module 1: Great Coaching Counts Module 2: Leadership 101 Module 3: Program Building Module 4: Building Leadership Module 5: Engaging with Parents Module 6: Life Skills Module 7: Administration Module 8: Wrestler Mental Health Module 9: Social Media & Branding Module 10: Fundraising Module 11: Coaching Female Athletes Module 12: Overtraining and Burnout Module 13: Mat Safety Module 14: Weight Management Module 15: Last Steps
Deliverables
1. Coach's Workbook – Complete exercises throughout the course capturing your reflections and activities. Submit at the end for evaluation. Each activity should be completed substantially (at least 150 words) to receive full credit.
2. Final Project (90-Day Plan) – A detailed, professional 90-day leadership start-up plan for your wrestling program. Module quizzes require 80% or higher to advance.
How Your Coach's Workbook Will Be Evaluated
PASS: Every workbook exercise was completed. Responses are meaningful and well-written. Reflections show good understanding and application of course concepts. Writing is clear, professional, and consistently meets or exceeds the 150-word requirement.
NO PASS: Workbook is incomplete or missing major sections. Many responses are too short, shallow, or generic. Writing is unclear, rushed, or shows limited understanding of the course material.
How Your Final Project / 90-Day Plan Will Be Evaluated
PASS: Every section of your plan was completed. Ideas show solid leadership thinking. Budget is clear and well-reasoned. Plan is easy to understand and well-organized.
NO PASS: Plan is missing major required components or is too incomplete to evaluate. Sections may lack clarity, realism, or operational detail. Writing is unclear or rushed.
Course Description
The NWCA Scholastic Coaches Leadership Academy prepares high school wrestling coaches to deliver exceptional coaching grounded in educational values, athlete development, and safe, healthy training environments. Participants learn essential leadership skills, sport science and medicine fundamentals, program-building strategies, and best practices for working with today's student-athletes.
The course equips coaches to create positive team cultures, engage parents and school communities, support student-athlete mental health, develop responsible leaders, and manage key administrative responsibilities. Coaches finish the program with a personalized coaching plan they can use immediately in their own school setting.
Course Prerequisites
None
Grading Scale
Pass = 79.5% | Fail <>
Course Objectives
- Apply evidence-based strategies to support the whole student-athlete while modeling the values of scholastic athletics.
- Develop a clear program vision, recruit and retain student-athletes, and implement effective administrative routines that strengthen long-term success.
- Implement best practices to support the safety, health, and well-being of wrestlers.
- Develop leadership and life skills in student-athletes that align with school and district educational missions.
- Strengthen communication and collaboration with parents and the school community to build a positive public image and brand for the program.
- Apply best practices in coaching across diverse athlete populations that fosters an inclusive team culture.
Topic Outline
Module 1: Great Coaching Counts Module 2: Leadership 101 Module 3: Program Building Module 4: Building Leadership Module 5: Engaging with Parents Module 6: Life Skills Module 7: Administration Module 8: Wrestler Mental Health Module 9: Social Media & Branding Module 10: Fundraising Module 11: Coaching Female Athletes Module 12: Overtraining and Burnout Module 13: Mat Safety Module 14: Weight Management Module 15: Last Steps
Deliverables
1. Coach's Workbook – Complete exercises throughout the course. Submit at the end for instructor evaluation. Answer questions substantially (at least 150 words) to receive full credit.
2. Final Project (90-Day Plan) – Evaluate your ability to think, plan, and lead your wrestling program. Module quizzes require 80% or higher to advance.
How Your Coach's Workbook Will Be Evaluated
A - Exceptional Work: Workbook is thoughtful, personal, and includes in-depth reflections showing insight into leadership, coaching, communication, ethics, and athlete development. Writing is clear, professional, and consistently meets or exceeds the 150-word requirement.
B - Strong Work: All workbook activities completed. Responses are meaningful and well-written. Reflections show strong understanding and application of course concepts. Writing is clear and professional.
C - Meets Expectations (PASS): All or nearly all activities completed. Answers meet minimum depth including the 150-word requirement and show basic reflection. Some responses may be simple but are still acceptable.
F - Below Expectations (FAIL): Workbook is incomplete or missing major sections. Many responses are too short, shallow, or generic. Writing is unclear, rushed, or shows limited understanding of the material.
How Your 90-Day Plan Will Be Evaluated
A - Exceptional Work: Plan is complete, polished, and realistic — something a new head coach could actually use on Day 1. All required sections covered in strong detail with high-level leadership thinking. Budget is clear and well-reasoned. Writing is professional and well-organized.
B - Strong Work: Plan is very good overall and covers all major required components. Most areas are detailed and realistic. Writing is clear and professional with only a few areas needing stronger detail.
C - Meets Expectations (PASS): Plan meets minimum requirements and addresses major components. Ideas are clear and show basic planning ability. Some sections may be brief but the plan is still usable.
F - Below Expectations (FAIL): Plan is missing major required components or is too incomplete to evaluate. Sections lack clarity, realism, or operational detail. Writing is unclear, disorganized, or unprofessional.
