What Wrestling Coaches Forget About the Idea that Iron Sharpens Iron
Iron sharpens Iron! Every wrestling coach I know has said this to me at least one time. I have probably said this myself at least a couple dozen times over the years as well. Simply stated, the idea that iron sharpens iron is as cliché a quote you will get in the sport of wrestling.
Yes, people quote this saying so often because it’s true. However, because coaches, parents, and athletes say this so much they often forget what it really means to have iron sharpen iron.
The truth is iron does not always sharpen iron. If you just bang two pieces of iron against each other randomly you are dulling the iron not sharpening it. Unquestionably, iron only sharpens iron when you follow the right process.
So, to apply this metaphor to a sport like wrestling, coaches must be more thoughtful. When a coach has a group of super competitive hammers “going live” constantly, injuries start to multiply. This is dulling the iron, not sharpening it.
In these situations, coaches must be mindful of what it means to sharpen iron. That is, what is the best way to take advantage of the opportunity to get athletes better? Just because a coach has a room full of hammers doesn’t mean everything is a nail when it comes to the process of improvement. Structured play wrestling, video critique, mental skills training, and using positive training pain are all ways to sharpen iron without the risk of dulling it.