“Takedown Tuesday”
New Rule,
No Complaining Rule for Wrestlers
by Jon Gums – Dakota Grappler
One simple rule can transform your training, your team, and your mindset on and off the mat. It’s called The No Complaining Rule, and while it wasn’t invented specifically for wrestling, its impact can be just as powerful in our sport.
Discovering the No Complaining Rule
I learned about The No Complaining Rule in one of my podcasts with a successful coach who turned a struggling team into a championship contender. He realized that just as energy vampires can drain a team’s motivation, negative attitudes and complaining can subtly erode the team’s morale and focus. In wrestling, where mental toughness is as crucial as physical strength, this hidden negativity can be as dangerous as a hidden injury that goes untreated.
As legendary wrestling coach Dan Gable once said, “If you give up in practice, you’ll give up in a match.” This mentality is at the core of The No Complaining Rule—it’s about refusing to let negative thoughts and energy vampires drain your focus. Instead of giving in to complaints, we channel that energy into building grit, resilience, and determination to succeed.
The Rule
The No Complaining Rule is simple: You are not allowed to complain unless you also offer one or two possible solutions.
This rule forces us to change our mindset. Instead of dwelling on problems, we focus on solutions. It’s about turning moments of frustration or setbacks into opportunities to grow, improve, and build a stronger team dynamic.
Why It Matters in Wrestling
In wrestling, we deal with a lot of challenges—tough matches, grueling practices, weight cuts, and moments when we question our abilities. Complaining might feel like a way to release stress, but in reality, it does more harm than good. Like an untreated injury, negative thoughts can spread, weakening the individual and the entire team.
“Champions are not those who never fail but those who never quit,” said wrestling coach John Smith. This quote captures the essence of what it means to embrace The No Complaining Rule. It’s not about avoiding challenges or setbacks but about facing them head-on with a mindset focused on finding solutions.
By embracing The No Complaining Rule, wrestlers can build a positive culture that encourages growth, supports teammates, and turns obstacles into learning opportunities. It’s not about eliminating all complaints—sometimes frustrations are justified. The key is to use those moments to find a way forward, to solve problems, and to create a winning environment.
Steps to Implement The No Complaining Rule in Wrestling
- Turn Complaints into Solutions: The next time you catch yourself or a teammate complaining, follow up with a solution. If the practice is too tough, suggest a new drill to focus on technique. If a match didn’t go as planned, think about what adjustments you can make to your training.
- Encourage a Positive Culture: Let your teammates know that the mat is a no-complain zone. If they have concerns or frustrations, they’re welcome to share them as long as they come with constructive ideas to improve.
- Support Each Other: Wrestling is a team sport, even if the matches are one-on-one. Use The No Complaining Rule to lift each other up. Instead of joining in on negativity, remind each other to focus on solutions, resilience, and perseverance.
- Focus on Growth: Complaints can be signals that point out areas for growth. Use these moments to learn and adapt. Every complaint is an opportunity to become a better wrestler and a stronger team.
Building a Positive Mindset
The goal of The No Complaining Rule isn’t to ignore challenges but to empower you to face them head-on with a positive mindset. By focusing on solutions instead of problems, wrestlers develop resilience and the mental toughness required to handle adversity both on and off the mat. This mindset doesn’t just create better wrestlers; it creates leaders and role models for the entire team.
Are You Ready to Adopt The No Complaining Rule?
If you’re ready to build a culture of positivity, growth, and winning, consider adopting The No Complaining Rule as part of your wrestling journey. It’s a small change that can make a huge difference in your performance, your team’s dynamic, and your overall mindset. Remember the words of Dan Gable: “Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.” It’s time to turn every challenge into an opportunity and every complaint into a solution.
The greatest champions aren’t just physically strong—they’re mentally tough and know how to turn every setback into a setup for success. Let’s make complaining a thing of the past and focus on what truly matters: becoming the best wrestlers and teammates we can be.
