[BubbaJ]

Ok, since you all responded so well to the promoter thread, I thought that I'd start one about trainers.

What does it take for a worker to become a trainer?

I know from my own world experiences that just because you can do something doesn't mean you can teach it.

Some guys may be great in the ring but not able to teach it to others.

How long in the business do you think a worker needs before they can teach? I know that in some fields that you can teach right away what you have learned but that doesn't make you qualified to become an official trainer.

On the same topic, what makes a school legit? Does it need a name guy that marks wanting in the business might know of?

How would one know which school to go to? I know plenty of businesses that the masses may have heard of but that doesn't mean that the business is any good.

I pose all these question because I am looking for insight into the biz and I know that these topics can help others on this board as well.

[dancinfool]

Wow, this question is very open-ended. In my humble opinion, it takes a special person to teach wrestling. I think anyone with at least a couple years of experience can lead the drills, teach the mechanics of holds, and even how to bump. However, to teach wrestling, the person needs a very solid understanding of the business, patience, and above all else, LOGIC.

Let's face it, there are a bunch of backyarders out there who can do moves and take bumps the "pros" wouldn't dream of. That's the easiest part of the sport. In order to grasp the concept of the performance, it takes someone who can deliver their opinion of how it should be done in a way which is understandable to those listening.

Each teacher merely teaches his opinion of how things should go. This is clearly evident if anyone should watch wrestling in any given part of the country. The style in New England is vastly different from that in New Jersey, and that style differs from what they do in the midwest. It has always been like this. The WWWF was different from the AWA which was different from the NWA. If a student should start his journey at one school and then switch, he would undoubtedly notice differences in the logic that goes into building the drama. This isn't to say that there is a right way or a wrong way to have a match, but that the opinions of how to teach wrestling differ. The best student is one who accepts all teachings and decides which make the most sense to him and the best teacher realizes that his students may have differing opinions as well.

With everything I have said, I think it is important to realize that there are places which are worthwhile and places which aren't but it depends on the goals and preferences of the student.

[BubbaJ]

I deliberately left it open ended because I can see that you can have trainers at differently levels. Meaning, that you can have one that can teach the very basics but not mic work or how to create a gimmick.

I am just interested in the opinions of those who have been trained or do train as to what a trainer should be and who is qualified to be called a trainer.

[Slamtech]

I think the best way to describe a good trainer is one who is well respected in the industry.

You have to have tons of patience and must be able to back up your training with solid proof that it will work.

Beware of any trainers that haven't done anything in the industry or haven't traveled a bit. I don't mean they have to wrestle in 42 countries, but they should have at least traveled a bit out of New England and wrestling for most of the reputable companies in New England.

Rarely, if ever, have I heard of a trainer who ISN'T a solid performer in the ring. You also need a passion for teaching and to hand down what good wrestling is.

I always tell people that good trainers should have references from their students as well as respected people in the industry.

B@S

[eastman]

Experience
Reputation
Ability to network

[MayorMcCheese]

Brickhouse Baker has taught a lot of guys in new england and look whats he doing for ACW? He is proibably the best one in new england nowadays

[KL Murphy]

I can tell you that I really enjoyed working with Bob back in the day as a trainer. Some of my most fun and rewarding wrestling memories were in Pawtucket RI.

[GrayGhost]

KL Murphy wrote:

I can tell you that I really enjoyed working with Bob back in the day as a trainer. Some of my most fun and rewarding wrestling memories were in Pawtucket RI.

Your most rewarding memory was in Hamden, CT in a tag tournament for NECW w a "trophy" as your partner.

Seriously, I know a few people who have/are going to the business. Just being smart, respectful, working hard and listening to the top trainers out there, and also your fellow more experienced pro wrestlers, and you won't go wrong.

[MAV]

Many of the traits that people have presented here that make a good trainer are true to a degree-but not the most important one.

A trainer can be famous; he can have experience; he can have a good rep as a wrestler and all sorts of other positive things, but none of that matters unless the person in question gives a shit about how students turn out.