Using Trackwrestling for the First Time as a Wrestling Coach

What to Expect and How to Succeed

As a new wrestling coach, your first priority is your athletes, helping them grow, stay safe, and reach their potential on and off the mat. But in today’s wrestling world, success also means understanding the digital tools that keep tournaments organized and wrestlers competing smoothly. One of the most important tools in this arena is Trackwrestling.

If you’re feeling a little nervous about using it for the first time, you’re not alone. Whether you’re entering your roster, checking brackets, or tracking match results, your first experience with Trackwrestling can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry. Like any good wrestling match, the more you prepare, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to perform.

What Is Trackwrestling?

Trackwrestling is a widely-used online platform that handles everything from event registration and team rosters to live match scoring, results, and rankings. Coaches, tournament directors, parents, and wrestlers all rely on it for real-time information. Once you understand how to navigate the platform, it becomes an essential part of managing your team throughout the season.

Setting Up Your Team Profile

Before your first event, you'll need to create a team account or claim your team if it already exists. You’ll then upload or enter your wrestlers’ information, including:

• Full names and grade levels

• Weight classes or expected entries

• Contact and emergency information

It’s important to double-check spelling, weight classes, and age divisions. Mistakes at this stage can cause registration errors or issues with bracketing that delay your day.

Registering for Tournaments

Once your team is set up, you can register for upcoming tournaments through the Trackwrestling dashboard. Most events will open registration weeks ahead of time and have firm deadlines. Watch closely for updates, bracket previews, and entry confirmations.

Trackwrestling allows you to:

• Pay fees online

• Update rosters before deadline

• View entry lists to confirm your athletes are properly assigned

Keep an eye on early deadlines. Missing them may mean your team can’t compete in that tournament, or will have to pay a late registration fee.

At the Tournament: Your New Best Friend

On tournament day, Trackwrestling becomes your command center. You’ll be able to:

• Check match times and mat assignments

• See match results in real time

• Find brackets and follow your wrestlers’ paths

• Print bout sheets if needed

Use your smartphone, tablet, or a laptop to access the tournament’s “Trackcast” page, which provides live updates. This tool is especially helpful for coordinating warm-ups, avoiding missed matches, and keeping parents informed.

Common First-Time Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

• Not checking for schedule updates: Matches can move quickly or mats may shift. Always refresh the tournament page regularly.

• Forgetting login details: Make sure you have your account information written down or saved securely before the tournament begins.

• Bringing no backup: If your device dies, loses signal, or crashes, you may lose access to vital info. Carry a printout of your roster and brackets just in case.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

Mistakes happen. If you notice an issue, like a wrestler being left off the bracket, assigned to the wrong weight class, or missing a match, go directly to the tournament director or head table. Trackwrestling can only reflect the data it’s given, so human error is still possible. Stay calm, have your registration proof ready, and most organizers will help resolve the problem quickly.

Don't Worry, Everything Will Work Out

Using Trackwrestling for the first time as a coach can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. But with a little preparation and practice, it becomes second nature. As with wrestling itself, the key to mastering the system is showing up prepared, staying focused, and learning as you go.

Once you’ve used Trackwrestling a few times, you’ll appreciate how it simplifies so many parts of your job, from registering athletes to keeping tabs on match results and tournament schedules. Before long, you’ll be the one helping other first-year coaches navigate the process, and keeping your team one step ahead both on the mat and online.