NWCA Coaching Certification Study
Guide - Practice Questions & Answers
1.
Which of the following best defines a coach’s "duty of care"?
A) Ensuring athletes win as many matches as possible
B) Providing transportation to all tournaments
C) Taking reasonable steps to protect athletes from foreseeable harm
D) Guaranteeing college scholarships for all wrestlers
Answer: C
Rationale: Duty of care is a legal and ethical obligation requiring coaches to act with
reasonable caution to prevent harm to athletes. This includes proper supervision, safe
equipment, and adherence to safety protocols. Options A, B, and D are not legally mandated
responsibilities and do not constitute the core of duty of care.
2.
According to current concussion protocols endorsed by the NWCA, what should a coach do
if an athlete shows signs of a concussion during practice?
A) Allow the athlete to rest for 10 minutes and return if symptoms subside
B) Immediately remove the athlete from activity and refer to a licensed healthcare
provider
C) Have the athlete hydrate and continue light drilling
D) Wait until the next day to assess the athlete
Answer: B
,Rationale: The NWCA follows the "When in doubt, sit them out" principle and aligns with
CDC and NFHS concussion guidelines. Immediate removal and medical evaluation are
mandatory. Returning before medical clearance (as in A and C) risks second-impact
syndrome, which can be fatal. Delaying assessment (D) also endangers the athlete.
3.
Which practice is essential for preventing MRSA and other skin infections in wrestling?
A) Using shared towels after practice
B) Performing daily skin checks and sanitizing mats before and after each use
C) Applying antibiotic ointment to all wrestlers weekly
D) Limiting showers to once per week to preserve natural skin oils
Answer: B
Rationale: Daily skin inspections and consistent mat sanitization with EPA-approved
disinfectants are cornerstone infection control practices recommended by the NWCA and
CDC. Shared towels (A) spread bacteria, prophylactic antibiotics (C) contribute to resistance,
and infrequent showering (D) increases infection risk.
4.
When teaching a new takedown, such as a single leg, which instructional method aligns best
with wrestling pedagogy?
A) Have athletes spar immediately to "figure it out"
B) Use the whole-part-whole method: demonstrate full technique, break into parts, then
reintegrate
C) Only use video analysis without physical drilling
D) Require 100 repetitions before explanation
Answer: B
Rationale: The whole-part-whole method is a proven pedagogical approach in skill
acquisition. It provides context (whole), allows focused refinement (part), and reinforces
integration (whole). Sparring without instruction (A) is unsafe and inefficient. Video alone (C)
, lacks kinesthetic learning, and mindless repetition (D) without feedback leads to ingrained
errors.
5.
Which of the following is a key component of a well-structured wrestling practice?
A) Starting with maximum-effort live wrestling to build intensity
B) Skipping warm-up to maximize drilling time
C) Including a dynamic warm-up, skill instruction, situational drilling, and a cool-down
D) Focusing exclusively on conditioning every day
Answer: C
Rationale: Effective practices follow a periodized structure: dynamic warm-up prepares the
body, skill instruction builds technique, situational drilling applies skills under pressure, and
cool-down aids recovery. Starting with live wrestling (A) increases injury risk. Skipping
warm-up (B) is unsafe, and exclusive conditioning (D) neglects technical development.
6.
According to NFHS rules, what is the consequence if a wrestler weighs in more than the
declared weight class at an official match?
A) The wrestler may compete in the next higher weight class
B) The wrestler is disqualified from that match
C) The wrestler receives a team-point deduction
D) The wrestler must forfeit unless granted a medical exception
Answer: B
Rationale: NFHS Rule 4-4-2 states that a wrestler failing to make weight at the official
weigh-in is ineligible for that weight class and cannot compete in that match. There is no
provision to move up on match day. Disqualification (B) is accurate, while A, C, and D
misrepresent the rule.
7.
Guide - Practice Questions & Answers
1.
Which of the following best defines a coach’s "duty of care"?
A) Ensuring athletes win as many matches as possible
B) Providing transportation to all tournaments
C) Taking reasonable steps to protect athletes from foreseeable harm
D) Guaranteeing college scholarships for all wrestlers
Answer: C
Rationale: Duty of care is a legal and ethical obligation requiring coaches to act with
reasonable caution to prevent harm to athletes. This includes proper supervision, safe
equipment, and adherence to safety protocols. Options A, B, and D are not legally mandated
responsibilities and do not constitute the core of duty of care.
2.
According to current concussion protocols endorsed by the NWCA, what should a coach do
if an athlete shows signs of a concussion during practice?
A) Allow the athlete to rest for 10 minutes and return if symptoms subside
B) Immediately remove the athlete from activity and refer to a licensed healthcare
provider
C) Have the athlete hydrate and continue light drilling
D) Wait until the next day to assess the athlete
Answer: B
,Rationale: The NWCA follows the "When in doubt, sit them out" principle and aligns with
CDC and NFHS concussion guidelines. Immediate removal and medical evaluation are
mandatory. Returning before medical clearance (as in A and C) risks second-impact
syndrome, which can be fatal. Delaying assessment (D) also endangers the athlete.
3.
Which practice is essential for preventing MRSA and other skin infections in wrestling?
A) Using shared towels after practice
B) Performing daily skin checks and sanitizing mats before and after each use
C) Applying antibiotic ointment to all wrestlers weekly
D) Limiting showers to once per week to preserve natural skin oils
Answer: B
Rationale: Daily skin inspections and consistent mat sanitization with EPA-approved
disinfectants are cornerstone infection control practices recommended by the NWCA and
CDC. Shared towels (A) spread bacteria, prophylactic antibiotics (C) contribute to resistance,
and infrequent showering (D) increases infection risk.
4.
When teaching a new takedown, such as a single leg, which instructional method aligns best
with wrestling pedagogy?
A) Have athletes spar immediately to "figure it out"
B) Use the whole-part-whole method: demonstrate full technique, break into parts, then
reintegrate
C) Only use video analysis without physical drilling
D) Require 100 repetitions before explanation
Answer: B
Rationale: The whole-part-whole method is a proven pedagogical approach in skill
acquisition. It provides context (whole), allows focused refinement (part), and reinforces
integration (whole). Sparring without instruction (A) is unsafe and inefficient. Video alone (C)
, lacks kinesthetic learning, and mindless repetition (D) without feedback leads to ingrained
errors.
5.
Which of the following is a key component of a well-structured wrestling practice?
A) Starting with maximum-effort live wrestling to build intensity
B) Skipping warm-up to maximize drilling time
C) Including a dynamic warm-up, skill instruction, situational drilling, and a cool-down
D) Focusing exclusively on conditioning every day
Answer: C
Rationale: Effective practices follow a periodized structure: dynamic warm-up prepares the
body, skill instruction builds technique, situational drilling applies skills under pressure, and
cool-down aids recovery. Starting with live wrestling (A) increases injury risk. Skipping
warm-up (B) is unsafe, and exclusive conditioning (D) neglects technical development.
6.
According to NFHS rules, what is the consequence if a wrestler weighs in more than the
declared weight class at an official match?
A) The wrestler may compete in the next higher weight class
B) The wrestler is disqualified from that match
C) The wrestler receives a team-point deduction
D) The wrestler must forfeit unless granted a medical exception
Answer: B
Rationale: NFHS Rule 4-4-2 states that a wrestler failing to make weight at the official
weigh-in is ineligible for that weight class and cannot compete in that match. There is no
provision to move up on match day. Disqualification (B) is accurate, while A, C, and D
misrepresent the rule.
7.
