what age?

legridder155 · 06-11-2008, 04:04 PM

We wrestle in the Ohio Youth program. About 128 programs involved. He took 5th in states this year. He also wrestled in the other youth states, but did not place. Not to make excusses for him, but he bacame very sick after the first states and could not wrestle until the ohio youth states, so he went in very out of shape and without practicing for 6 weeks.

His goal is to win both states and to qualify and hopefully place in the Jr. high states. So far with his preperation that he is doing I believ he can accomplish his goals next year. I think it was good he did not place in the ohio states....to say lightly it pissed him off and brought him down a notch.

Big · 06-11-2008, 04:18 PM

I just don't get some of you. Kids start wrestling not to win at tournaments but to master this particular discipline. First two years a kid should not compete outside of practice at all. They should learn most of the moves well and pick the ones they like to do the most and then master them in practice.

It is very disturbing that many of you like for your kids to compete so much and place so much importance on whether they get pounded or not at tourneys.

As soon as your kid starts wrestling he becomes better at wrestling than kids that don't wrestle. That is the most important factor! Its about getting better at something than the rest of the people. Then when you get really good, you worry about being the best in the sport.

spartansd · 06-11-2008, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Big

I just don't get some of you. Kids start wrestling not to win at tournaments but to master this particular discipline. First two years a kid should not compete outside of practice at all. They should learn most of the moves well and pick the ones they like to do the most and then master them in practice.

It is very disturbing that many of you like for your kids to compete so much and place so much importance on whether they get pounded or not at tourneys.

As soon as your kid starts wrestling he becomes better at wrestling than kids that don't wrestle. That is the most important factor! Its about getting better at something than the rest of the people. Then when you get really good, you worry about being the best in the sport.

I think you are a little off base here.

While I agree with you completely. And I am doing what you suggest with daughter in gymnastic (3 years training for TOPS(look it up)) and she has yet to compete. It is a given that she is insanely better than most.

The problem with wrestling is this: there is no one to wrestle or practice with. I would love to have my son practicing 1-2 times per week and getting better right now. But guess what........no one is active right now. Only high intensity camps or tournaments. I have been to a couple of open rooms the last few weeks and there is no one there.

I am talking my daughters gymnastics coach (former Russian national team wrestler) into coaching my son. But guess what? Need a partner and I can not find one. The really good kids dads are coaches and the other kids either are not interested, or do not want to pay anything.

The only way for most kids to get any time on the mat is at meets. The clubs practice 2-3 times per week in season and pretty much not at all off season. And season is 3-4 months.

Big- this is why it is so tough to develop wrestling and wrestlers in the USA. And to get more training you need to be winning at 15-17 years old. Then you can get to go to college. Forget about freestyle or greco.

There is one club in my area that is still drilling. They are at least 1 hour away. We will be going once in a while but getting there is an issue.

You almost have no choice but to go to meets to get practice time.

clive2246 · 06-11-2008, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by legridder155

Have to disagree with you on this one. If a wrestler can get a solid basics down at an early age and a strong work ethic they will have a leg up. With some of your examples of older wrestler starting late there are alway exceptions to the rule.

Think about a 10 yr old first year wrestler taking on a 10 yr old 5th yr wrestler they will get destroyed. now think if he wrestles 20+ matches that year and faces 15+ experienced wrestlers. How is his confidence going to be? Confidence is huge in wreslting and all sports. So with the way sports are today, you need to start young.

With that being said, Make sure you keep it very fun for the young wrestlers. If they are 9 and below let them practice as they want to.

I disagree. My son didn't start wrestling until he was 9 and I am glad that he didn't start when he was younger. I have seen so many kids who started younger get burnt out by the time they reach high school. Of course he took his losses the first couple of years, but it only made him work harder. I don't think he would have done any better if he had started earlier. It didn't hurt him in any way, since next year he will be wrestling in college.

Big · 06-11-2008, 05:17 PM

Well, those are certainly big problems. Kids should get 2-3 months off from wrestling, preferably in the summer. Most of the wrestling should be done from Sept to May.

spartansd · 06-11-2008, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Big

Well, those are certainly big problems. Kids should get 2-3 months off from wrestling, preferably in the summer. Most of the wrestling should be done from Sept to May.

I will tell you another problem that is coming. The head coach at the club my son trained at last year just left. So now the program is in real trouble. Because the main reason he left was that the school did not support wrestling. Without him I fear the club will collapse.

I would say that training 1-2 per week almost year around would be the best thing. I do not think any high intensity training should be done for kids. It would burn them out. We are taking June and July off because we have no choice. I do not like the idea of week long camps. Seems way too much for a kid. Consistent training over the long haul is the best way.

Where do you live Big? Because in Michigan it is tough to even find good clubs in season. Forget about out of season.

Big · 06-11-2008, 05:42 PM

I live in NYC. There are a few clubs around here but the kids are not that serious or interested although it is geting better.

Kids 10 and older should practice at least 3 days per week. The bulk of practices should consist of learning moves and throws. You can spend 20 minutes just on one move drilling it and having the coach correct it. You can let them play soccer or go for a jog as part of practice. One day should just consist of an hour or two playing games like soccer or rugby. You have them wrestle live 2 days per week for 15-20 minutes and you can have them do conditioning for 10-15 minutes once or twice per week at the end of practice or during practice.

You should also make sure they build up their necks with bridges and learn all kinds of rolls to help their coordination. For example, you separate the kids into two groups and see which group can finish front rolls to the end of the mat and back faster. One kid from each group goes at a time. Kids love that.

legridder155 · 06-12-2008, 01:05 PM

It didn't hurt him in any way, since next year he will be wrestling in college.

If you read one of my earlier post, I said there are alway exceptions, but I also stated i believe that you shouldn't start until 3rd grade which would make you 8 or 9.

As for practicing for 2 years without competition, most kids would get bored. You work hard without rewards for your effort. My son did gymnastics and was very talented, but since they only had one competition a year and it was in house he became bored and quit.

ODH · 06-12-2008, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by Big

I live in NYC. There are a few clubs around here but the kids are not that serious or interested although it is geting better.

Kids 10 and older should practice at least 3 days per week. The bulk of practices should consist of learning moves and throws. You can spend 20 minutes just on one move drilling it and having the coach correct it. You can let them play soccer or go for a jog as part of practice. One day should just consist of an hour or two playing games like soccer or rugby. You have them wrestle live 2 days per week for 15-20 minutes and you can have them do conditioning for 10-15 minutes once or twice per week at the end of practice or during practice.

You should also make sure they build up their necks with bridges and learn all kinds of rolls to help their coordination. For example, you separate the kids into two groups and see which group can finish front rolls to the end of the mat and back faster. One kid from each group goes at a time. Kids love that.

Why would 10 year old kids go to a wrestling practice to play soccer or rugby? I also don't see the point of off-season conditioning.
I agree with the instruction and drilling, but if they want a little cardio work let them wrestle live.

Big · 06-12-2008, 01:50 PM

The rewards for novice are not in medals but in gained skill that they can see during practices. Worrying about medals right away is the wrong mentality instilled in them perhaps either by the parents and/or by the coaches.

Its about the joy of learning wrestling moves. I understand a master wrestler can get bored without real competition but he who learns new moves and masters them has plenty of rewards.

Soccer and rugby are fun games that have numerous cardiovascular and coordination benefits.

Its not specifically about off-season conditioning. Its about staying somewhat fit all year around because then you have a better base to improve.

Russian wrestlers play soccer during training camps between wrestling practices.

what age?

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