Common Mistakes Coaches Make Using Trackwrestling (And How to Avoid Them)

Stepping into a coaching role in wrestling brings more responsibilities than just running practice and motivating your team. In today’s digital world, tools like Trackwrestling have become essential to managing tournaments, rosters, and real-time results. While Trackwrestling is a powerful platform, using it for the first time can be confusing, and many new coaches make the same avoidable mistakes.

Whether you're coaching a youth team, high school squad, or managing entries for an upcoming event, understanding where others trip up can help you walk in prepared. Below are some of the most common first-time errors, and how to steer clear of them.

Mismanaging the Roster

One of the biggest and most preventable mistakes is incorrect or incomplete roster entry. Coaches often rush through this step, leading to misspelled names, wrong weight classes, or duplicate entries.

Trackwrestling relies on accurate data to build brackets. If a wrestler’s name is entered incorrectly or they’re assigned to the wrong age group, they may be placed in the wrong division or left out entirely. Always double-check every entry before finalizing.

Also, remember to update returning athletes’ profiles rather than creating a new one each season. This keeps track of past performance and rankings.

Missing Deadlines

Another common issue is waiting until the last minute to register for events. Tournaments on Trackwrestling have strict registration windows. If you miss the deadline, you may be locked out or forced to pay late fees, if the event even allows it.

Keep a running calendar of tournament registration dates, and set reminders a few days in advance. This gives you time to review entries, collect payments if needed, and avoid scrambling at the last minute.

Ignoring Weight Verification

First-time coaches sometimes forget to verify weights, especially when a wrestler is still growing or new to competition. If the weight listed in Trackwrestling doesn’t reflect the athlete’s actual weight on tournament day, they risk disqualification or being bumped to the wrong class.

Have your athletes check their weight regularly in the weeks leading up to competition. Enter their most current, accurate weight, and update it if necessary before the registration deadline closes.

Not Familiarizing Yourself with Trackcast

During tournaments, Trackwrestling’s Trackcast system shows mat assignments, bout numbers, and results in real time. Coaches who don’t take the time to learn how to navigate this tool may miss matches or delay their athletes from getting to the mat on time.

Before the tournament starts, log in and explore the interface. Learn how to refresh brackets, find match numbers, and check which mat each wrestler is on. A few minutes of preparation can prevent a lot of chaos during competition.

Relying Too Heavily on Technology

Trackwrestling is extremely helpful, but it’s still a tool. Coaches who don’t bring paper backups of their rosters, brackets, and contact info may find themselves stuck if their device dies or loses signal.

It’s always wise to print a copy of your athlete list, brackets, and bout schedule the night before a tournament. Technology is great, until it isn’t.

Forgetting to Confirm Payment

Sometimes coaches assume they’ve finished registration after selecting athletes for a tournament, but forget to complete the payment process. Trackwrestling doesn’t consider an athlete “registered” until payment is received. Make sure all registration fees are submitted, and verified, before you close your computer.

It's ok to make mistakes

Every coach makes mistakes, especially during their first season. Trackwrestling can seem overwhelming at first, but with a little patience and preparation, it becomes one of your most helpful tools.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, missed deadlines, roster errors, and tech troubles, you’ll be ahead of the curve. And most importantly, your wrestlers will have the opportunity to focus on what matters most: stepping onto the mat, giving their best, and learning from every match.

The best coaches don’t just run great practices; they run their team like a well-oiled machine. Learning how to master Trackwrestling is one of the many ways to lead with confidence and help your wrestlers stay organized, safe, and competitive all season long.