Parent's Guide for Youth Wrestling
By Bill Campbell
Copyright 2001
This guide was written for distribution by USA Wrestling and has been approved for circulation by USAW. Since the
initial version in 1998, wrestling clubs across the country have been using this guide to educate parents new to the
sport. If you are visiting this site with an interest in distributing this information for the purpose of educating parents
and promoting the sport, then you are permitted (free of charge) to distribute free copies without modification and with
my name included as the author. If you have ideas on ways to improve the guide, feel free to send me an email at
wcampbe@earthlink.net.
INTRODUCTION
Of the many sports your child can participate in, Wrestling is
perhaps the most misrepresented, misunderstood, and underrated.
The ratio of participation to public awareness is remarkably
lopsided.
Each year hundreds of thousands of kids participate in this sport,
yet the average person knows as much about wrestling as they
might know about rugby or polo -- which combined, involve far
fewer athletes.
The purpose of this guide is to generate new interest and
awareness among parents whose children want to participate in this
exciting and rewarding sport.
Hopefully, this guide will help expose the myths and uncover the
benefits wrestling has to offer, and most importantly, help parents
understand how this unique sport best compliments other sports
choices their child makes.
Doesn’t wrestling involve or eventually lead to the kinds of things
professional wrestlers do on television?
If you’ve been exposed to high school or college wrestling, you may
already realize that so-called “professional wrestling” (i.e. WWF)
as depicted on television, is entirely different from the actual
sport of wrestling. So different, in fact, that there is little, if
anything in common. Consider this comparison...
Real Wrestling "Professional Wrestling"
Based on self-discipline, hard work, skill and determination.Based
on theatrics, entertainment value and shock factor.Conducted on a
mat with regulation shoes, kneepads and headgear. Conducted
in a ring with boots and outrageous costumes.Physically demanding,
but relatively safe and non-violent. Does not involve or even
tolerate actions intended to cause injury. Violent in nature
with contestants
depicting punching, kicking, body slams, etc.
World-class wrestlers utilize skills, strength and endurance
developed over a lifetime of practice and hard work.Showcase
events typically involve participants with no amateur (real) wrestling
experience.
If wrestling is nothing like the WWF on television, then what is it
all about, and what should parents and kids know about the sport
when considering their options?
Wrestling is perhaps the purest form of athletic competition to
exist in the realm of organized sports. There are no bats or balls,
or pucks or sticks. No pads or helmets or jerseys. There’s no time
to rethink strategy, regroup, or even to catch your breath. There’s
only you, and your opponent of equal weight and size. Experience,
preparation and the will to succeed will determine the victor. There’
s no doubt about it, wrestling tops the list of intense, highly-
competitive sports.
Wrestling involves a unique balance of practically every aspect of
physical and psychological conditioning. Strength is as important as
stamina. Speed as technique, strategy as intensity, and power as is
coordination. However, it’s not always the natural athlete that
ultimately succeeds in the sport — it’s the natural competitor.
Kids that are strong for their weight, well coordinated and
naturally aggressive are usually more successful early on in the
sport. However, it‘s the highly competitive kids that really enjoy
the sport, that eventually achieve the highest levels of success.
True competitors come in all shapes and sizes, and in varying
degrees of natural talent. Many of the best wrestlers the world
has ever seen, such as John Smith, Dan Gable and Dave Schultz
were not star athletes. They are and were ordinary people with an
extraordinary competitive drive.
Gifted athletes, especially those that are strong and well
coordinated, typically do well and take an early liking to the sport.
Some kids that thrive on competition, with only average or below
average natural ability, often surprise parents and coaches by
eventually surpassing more gifted kids through hard work and
preparation.
Although it is wise for parents and coaches to de-emphasize
winning, victories can be are extremely gratifying because of the
strong sense of personal accomplishment. The effort put forth in
practice and preparation is apparent in competition, and not lost in
a team effort. This aspect of wrestling can be a great motivator
and teacher, and can develop a person’s work ethic, self-
confidence, and ability to achieve in all areas of life. Wrestling is
great for exposing the “champion” within most any kid, but
especially with those that love to compete.
How does wrestling compare with Team sports such as soccer,
baseball and basketball?
Wrestling is considered an individual sport, but includes many of
the benefits of team sports. Wrestling differs from most team
sports in that during competition, athletes must rely entirely on
their own individual abilities for success. Those that dedicate the
time and effort will eventually achieve at a level directly
proportionate to the investment they have made — even if their
teammates prepare and perform at a different level.
Similarities exist in that teammates still depend on each other in
team competition. Team victories in meets and tournaments are
determined by the number of individual victories, and the extent to
which each match was won or lost. Wrestlers also develop an
appreciation and respect for teammates that have been through the
same challenges, and a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie
with teammates and other wrestlers.
Other team sports may be better for developing interactive player-
to-player skills such as passing and blocking, but wrestling can
offer benefits that other team sports lack. The individual nature of
the sport provides an outstanding opportunity for young athletes to
develop a sense of responsibility and self esteem while learning the
relationship between effort and achievement.
What physical effects can the sport of wrestling have on children?
Sports offer opportunities for children to improve their strength,
flexibility and coordination, while having fun. Most sports activities
rely more on some muscle groups and less on others. For example,
most sports focus primarily on pushing motions (leg/arm extension)
such as throwing, hitting, kicking, jumping and running.
Experts believe that unilateral (equal emphasis on all muscle groups)
physical development is especially important in young athletes.
Isolated development at an early age, over a long period, increases
the risk of injury and limits long-term foundational growth.
Swimming, gymnastics and wrestling are among the few sports that
engage both pulling and pushing muscle groups.
Of all the sports choices a parent and child can make, wrestling is
perhaps the best sport for overall physical development because it
involves all muscle groups, and requires the greatest balance of
athletic skill. In other words, wrestling does more to improve basic
things such as strength, balance, speed, agility and intensity, and
is not as specialized as most other common sports.
Does wrestling teach or promote aggressive or violent behavior?
Aggressiveness, Yes. Violence, No. Wrestling is often referred to
as the toughest sport, and in many ways it is, but it is certainly
not violent, nor does it lead to unruly or destructive behavior.
One of the factors that makes wrestling so different from most
other sports is that wrestling involves head-to-head competition.
Each wrestler’s efforts work in direct opposite from each other as
in a tug-of-war contest. Success in wrestling requires the ability to
attack, as well as the ability to stop your opponent’s attack. The
same factors apply with boxing and martial arts, but an attack in
wrestling is non-violent. Wrestling does not permit opponents to
strike one another, and imposes strict penalties or disqualification
for violent behavior. In essence, wrestling is unique in the fact that
it can be very aggressive without being violent. The objective is not
to destroy or harm one’s opponent, but to out-maneuver them and
to gain control.
The intensity with which wrestlers compete increases with age and
experience. Kids wrestling, especially the younger age groups, in
not nearly as intense as high school or college wrestling. It’s
common for new wrestlers to feel somewhat intimidated at first,
not knowing how they compare with other wrestlers, but that is soon
overcome. Wrestling, perhaps more than any other sport, is a
great for building confidence while retaining a healthy dose of
humility. The long-term result is that it develops the champion
from within, and leads to greater success both on and off the mat,
and does not turn kids into bullies or thugs.
At what age are kids old enough to participate?
Some parents feel that wrestling is too intense for young kids, and
that it is better suited for post-pubescent teenage years. Denying
a child the opportunity to participate in wrestling until high school
greatly reduces their chance of success. Wrestling is a sport
involving very complex technique that can take many years to
master. A great high school athlete with little or no wrestling
experience has little or no chance against an 8 or 10 year veteran.
Some kids can close this gap by their last year of high school, but
like most sports these days, starting younger seems to be the norm.
There are two entry points prior to high school — kid’s clubs and
middle school wrestling. Both are very accommodating for new
wrestlers. Age and maturity level is not a factor by the time kids
are in middle school, but at the club level, kids can enter wrestling
as young as 4 or 5 years of age.
There is no easy way to know when a child is mature enough to be
participating in a new sport. Some might be ready at three, while
others might not develop an interest for wrestling until their early
teens. The best approach is to introduce kids to the sport at a
time and pace that is consistent with their interest level, backing
off when necessary, and allowing more participation as their
interest grows. In any case, it is important NOT to involve very
young kids in a highly competitive program. Parents with young
wrestlers should check that their club can properly accommodate
young wrestlers with a separate, less competitive regimen involving
more fun, “tumbling” types of activities, with virtually no emphasis
on any of the serious, more competitive aspects of the sport.
Is wrestling a “dangerous” sport?
There is a common misperception among the non-wrestling public
that wrestling is a very dangerous sport. Perhaps it’s the
aggressive nature of the sport, association with “Pro Wrestling”, or
perhaps fear of the unknown. Several studies have been conducted
in recent years that show wrestling to be safer than many more
common sports including football, ice hockey and gymnastics. Most
notable in these reports, is wrestling’s low percentage of serious,
permanent and life-threatening injury in relation to other sports. A
quote from USA Wrestling Club Organizing Guide has the following
to say about Risk of Injury:
“Wrestling is a contact sport and injuries will occur. As would be
expected, wrestling has more injuries than tennis and swimming, but
most wrestling injuries are minor, consisting of sprains and strains.
Wrestling has fewer serious injuries than football, basketball or ice
hockey. There is a lesser chance of getting seriously hurt when
wrestling than when riding in a car, skateboarding or riding a dirt
bike.”
Safety factors in many ways unique to wrestling include:
• Rules, regulations, and state certified officials.
• The high ratio of officials to athletes (one for every two).
• Greater strength and flexibility as a result of more
emphasis on practice and preparation.
• Competitors are matched by age and weight.
Perhaps the most notable difference with respect to the risk of
injury, is the lack of high-impact collision that occurs in most other
common sports. Wrestlers do collide, but never at great momentum
or speeds as can happen with sports that involve running such as
football, baseball, soccer, hockey and basketball. Also, overuse
injuries from highly repetitive motions such as pitching are virtually
non-existent in youth wrestling because of the variety of movement,
and there is no risk of injury from hard objects such as bats,
sticks, balls or pucks. On the other hand, wrestlers are more
susceptible to some communicable skin infections such as ringworm,
but these incidents are quite rare, and can be prevented with the
proper precautions, such as washing the mat and showering after
practice.
Wrestling injuries can and do occur, but are more of a factor at
the collegiate and international levels where match intensity is much
higher. Most injuries occur during periods of horseplay or
unsupervised activities such as before or after practice or
competition. Parents and coaches can reduce this risk through
proper planning and preparation.
Can wrestling have an effect on character development?
Success factors in sports, or anything for that matter, are part
God-given (i.e. height and size) and part acquired (i.e. endurance).
Success in wrestling depends most on acquired factors, and unlike
most other sports, wrestling does not favor athletes of any
particular height, size, weight, muscle type*, race or social class,
and does not rely on superior vision or hearing.
Wrestlers learn, by the nature of the sport, that long-term
success has much more to do with the investment made than the
“natural” gifts one is given. Wrestlers learn the value of
preparation and hard work, and the role it plays in achieving one’s
goals. Wrestling provides real-life experiences that build and
strengthen the following character traits:
• Self Reliance
• Mental Toughness
• Work Ethic
• Competitive Spirit
• Responsibility
• Self Discipline
• Goal Orientation
• Confidence
In order to keep this in perspective, one must realize that
character development is a slow process, driven by a variety of
positive and negative influences with varying degrees of impact.
Sports can play a significant role in character development, but
other influences may have an even greater impact. Wrestling, in
itself, is not a character development solution, but years of
participation can provide positive influences. A person’s overall
character includes many other dimensions, such as integrity and
compassion, that may have little if anything to do with sports.
Would my child be required or expected to lose weight?
NO! There’s no weight cutting in youth wrestling programs. It’s true
that weight cutting does exist at the high school and collegiate
levels, but there are quite a few public misconceptions.
Some parents automatically associate wrestling with excessive, out-
of-control weight loss, akin to anorexia and bulimia. In reality, the
opposite is true — wrestlers gain control of their body weight and
body composition, and are able to set and achieve reasonable goals
with respect to muscle mass, fat percentage and body weight.
This form of weight control is more of a factor in later years,
when competing at high school or collegiate levels, but coaches and
wrestlers at that level are well aware of health and safety factors,
and not likely to engage in unhealthy or risky forms of weight loss.
Furthermore, state and national governing bodies, such as USA
Wrestling, now prohibit any form of rapid or unsafe weight loss.
To some, the practice of any sort of weight control for the purpose
of competing in a sport may still seem extreme and unnecessary,
however, at the appropriate age, with proper education, planning
and discipline, weight control can be a good thing that caries into
other sports and can be an asset in maintaining one’s health later in
life. Proper weight control results in optimum body composition,
allowing athletes to compete in peak physical condition, with the
greatest ratio of strength, energy and power to body weight.
These are factors in virtually every sport at the Olympic level.
With young wrestlers, it is only appropriate to discuss concepts. It
can be a good time to explain how healthy eating can have an
impact on performance, or to discuss the difference between
healthy foods and “junk foods”. Virtually all kids can learn and
benefit from this information, even at a young age.
Can wrestling be an aid in self-defense?
Who would win in a fight between a world class boxer and a black
belt kung-fu expert? How about an NFL linebacker versus a world-
renowned jiu-jitsu champion? Opinions vary widely, but the truth of
the matter is that each sport, or self-defense discipline, offers its
own unique advantages that become more or less important
depending on the situation. For example, boxing skills are quite
valuable in a fistfight, but are practically useless if attacked from
behind.
Most fight situations begin as a fist fight, but end up on the
ground in a grappling contest with the better wrestler being the
victor. Grappling, or wrestling skills, are actually more important in
most self-defense situations, than the ability to punch or kick. The
highly controversial sport of Ultimate Fighting proves this point.
Ultimate fighting, much like organized street fighting, began in
1993 with contestants of virtually every discipline. More than thirty
forms of martial arts have been represented including everything
from aikido to wing chun kung fu. Win/loss statistics compiled since
inception list wrestling as the most effective discipline. Always able
to take their opponent to the ground and remain in control,
wrestlers with no other martial arts training fared extremely well
against world renowned experts in Karate, Jiu-jitsu and other
similar martial arts disciplines. Although wrestlers are relatively
rare in the sport, past champions have included several excellent
wrestlers such as Dan Severn and Mark Shultz, whom easily won
matches against much bigger and stronger, internationally acclaimed
martial arts champions.
Involvement in wrestling is a great way to build confidence and the
ability to defend one’s self, without resorting to the violent tactics
inherent in most other forms of self-defense. Wrestling skills are
an enormous asset in a schoolyard brawl or even a street fight,
however, wrestling’s non-violent nature does not prepare one for
other aspects of self-defense such as disabling or disarming an
assailant.
Is wrestling only for boys?
In the 1970’s and early 1980’s, with the exception of a few
isolated incidents, wrestling was a male-only sport. Over the last
ten years female participation has increased to the point that it is
not uncommon to find girls participating in youth and high school
programs. Women’s divisions have been created in U.S. and
international freestyle competition, and some tournaments are
exclusively for women. Unlike Japan, where female participation
sometimes exceeds male participation, in the United States, there
are still far fewer girls than boys, however, female involvement is
growing rapidly at all levels.
Girls can benefit from wrestling just as boys can; however, the
social, mental and physical challenges can be much greater. In
addition to the normal challenges of the sport, a female wrestler
may feel singled out if she is the only girl on the team. Girls also
face greater physical challenges. Differences in strength can be
minimal at young ages, but as children reach puberty, boys
typically gain a significant strength advantage. Overcoming these
challenges requires great determination and mental toughness;
however, some girls have proven they can be successful competing
against boys despite these obstacles.
Parents with daughters willing to accept these challenges should
take the time to interview coaches and be sure they are satisfied
with the coaching staff’s acceptance and effectiveness in
integrating girls into the program. If possible, it’s best to select a
team with other girls, or to join with a girlfriend.
What forms of wrestling exist, and what avenues exist beyond the
high school and college levels?
Wrestling, like soccer, is an international sport, prevalent in
virtually every major country. It’s also the oldest organized sport,
and dates back well over 5,000 years. Over time, many variations,
such as sumo wrestling, have developed in different parts of the
world.
Wrestling in the United Stated is practiced in three styles:
folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman. Folkstyle, the predominant
form of scholastic wrestling in the United States, is found in our
high schools, colleges and clubs. This style is unique to the U.S.
Rules are established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
[NCAA] and the National Federation of State High School
Associations.
The other two styles, freestyle and Greco-Roman, are practiced
internationally, and are gaining popularity in the U.S. as we
continue to advance as a world wrestling power.
World and Olympic championships in Freestyle and Greco-Roman
wrestling are conducted by FILA, the international governing body
responsible for the administration and rule development of the
sport. USA Wrestling conducts annual regional and national
tournaments in all three styles for male and female wrestlers of all
ages.
The differences between Freestyle, Folkstyle and Greco-Roman are
subtle to the novice observer, but rather significant to the
wrestler. There are differences in rules, scoring and strategy.
Freestyle and Greco-Roman focus more on wrestling from the feet.
They are identical except that Greco-Roman is limited to upper-
body holds. Folkstyle, on the other hand, places greater emphasis
on establishing and maintaining control and involves more mat
wrestling.
Wrestlers advancing beyond the college level can compete in
Freestyle and/or Greco-Roman World and Olympic competition,
however there is no avenue to advance beyond that to a
professional level. It’s unrealistic for wrestlers to fantasize about
aspiring to the level of notoriety and fame associated with other
more popular sports, or to imagine themselves, one day earning a
living as a professional wrestler. Dan Gable, for example, is as
much of a legend in wrestling as Michael Jordan is with basketball,
but Dan is virtually unknown outside the wrestling community. It’s
not likely that wrestling champions will ever come to be known for
their achievements in the sport.
THE BASICS OF THE SPORT...
Folkstyle Basics
Objective
The primary objective in folkstyle wrestling is to gain control of
your opponent and to ultimately pin your opponent by holding your
opponent with their back (both shoulder blades simultaneously) on
the mat for a period of at least two seconds.
Match Basics
Wrestling matches consist of three periods. Periods can vary in
length from one minute in duration for younger age groups, to as
long as three minutes for college wrestling. Either wrestler can win
the match at any time if they are able to pin their opponent or
develop a lead of more than 14 points. Otherwise, the wrestler
that can accumulate the most points by the end of the third period
(or after overtime in the case of a tie) wins the match.
There are only two positions from which referees start, or continue
a match. The first is neutral position, with both wrestlers standing
and facing each other. The other is the referee’s position, where
one wrestler starts on his hands and knees down on the mat, and
the other starts on top, behind and in control. The first period
always begins in the neutral position. Each wrestler has their choice
in one of the remaining periods, to choose to start from top or
bottom referee’s position, or in the neutral position. If the action
must be stopped before the end of a period, the referee restarts
the wrestlers in the starting position that best reflects the position
the wrestlers were in when the action was stopped.
Scoring
The scoring system is rather simple. Takedowns (when from a
neutral position one wrestler is able to bring the other to the mat
and gain control) are worth two points. Escapes (when the bottom
wrestler is able to break free from the top wrestler and revert
back to a neutral position) are worth one point. Reversals, (when a
wrestler on the bottom is able to reverse the control so that the
opponent is on the bottom) are worth two points.
Back points (also called near fall) are awarded when one wrestler
comes close to pinning the other (i.e. exposing the other wrestler’s
back) and are worth two or three points depending on the length of
time that the opponent’s back is exposed. In addition, penalty
points can be awarded when the opposing wrestler performs illegal
moves or is penalized for excessive stalling.
Sportsmanship
Competition is conducted in a manner as to promote and require
good sportsmanship. Competitors are expected to show respect to
opponents, officials and coaches regardless of the outcome of their
match. Both wrestlers are required to shake hands before and
after the match. It is also common practice for each wrestler to
shake the hand of their opponent’s coach after the match.
Officials
Officiating is more objective than subjective in that it does not
require judging, as with sports such as gymnastics or figure
skating. However, situations can and do occur that are subject to
interpretation. Those situations most often involve out of bounds
calls, determination of when/if control is sufficient to award points,
and determination of when/if stalling or penalties apply.
Equipment
Basic wrestling equipment includes a headgear, wrestling shoes, and
a singlet. Wrestling shoes offer more ankle support than the
traditional shoe and are designed lightweight and tight to the foot
to promote freedom of movement. Headgear can prevent outer ear
injuries and bruises during practice and competition. The standard
wrestling uniform, known as a singlet, is designed to fit snug to the
body so that it does not restrict the movement of either wrestler.
Kneepads are sometimes worn by choice.
Freestyle & Greco-Roman Basics
Objective
The primary objective in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling is
much the same as with folkstyle, except that other factors are
taken into account such as the skill with which moves are executed,
and the type of holds that is used.
Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling matches are condensed into
one or two periods, depending on the age group. Younger groups
typically wrestle two ninety-second periods. Older groups wrestle
one continuous five-minute period, although FILA has changed this
recently. Periods always begin with both wrestlers in the neutral
position.
As with folkstyle wrestling, the match can be stopped short of the
time limit if either wrestler scores a pin or achieves technical
superiority, which in folkstyle and Greco-Roman wrestling is a lead
of ten or more points.
After a takedown situation in which both wrestlers continue to
wrestle down on the mat, known as the “par-tarre” position, the
bottom wrestler is not obligated to work for an escape or reverse
as with folkstyle wrestling. Instead, it is the responsibility of the
top wrestler to work diligently to execute a hold that will expose
their opponent’s back. If the top wrestler is not immediately
(officials allow about fifteen seconds) successful in doing this, the
official will stop the match and re-start the wrestlers on their feet
in a neutral position.
Scoring
Control of one’s opponent is less of a concern in freestyle and
Greco-Roman wrestling. Back points are awarded more freely in
that it is only necessary to turn your opponent’s back within 90
degrees of the mat. Takedowns, escapes and reversals are
awarded one point, unless there is exposure of the back, in which
additional points are awarded.
Unlike folkstyle wrestling, it is not necessary to have control in
order to score back points. A wrestler in a defensive situation can
be awarded back points if their opponent’s back makes contact with
the mat in executing an offensive move.
Other variations from folkstyle scoring include the additional points
that can be awarded for takedowns that result in back exposure.
“Grand Amplitude” holds, in which an opponent is lifted from the
mat and brought from a standing position directly to his or her
back are good for five points.
Sportsmanship
As with folkstyle wrestling, both freestyle and Greco-Roman
wrestling mandates sportsman-like conduct. In international
competition, wrestlers are required to shake hands with their
opponent and with the referee before and after the bout.
Officials
Officiating in freestyle and Greco-Roman is performed in teams of
one, two or three officials. When possible three officials are used.
The referee who stands on the mat and controls the action with
his/her whistle is assisted by a judge and a mat chairperson seated
on opposite sides of the mat. All scoring must be agreed upon by
two of the three officials.
Equipment
FILA permits, but does not require, the use of headgear in
international freestyle and Greco-Roman competition. In addition,
wrestlers are required to wear either red or blue singlets,
depending on their match pairing. Other than that, the equipment is
identical to that used with folkstyle wrestling.
The Wrestling Season
The wrestling season for folkstyle wrestling begins in November and
runs until March. The freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling season
begins in March and runs through July. School programs, being
folkstyle, follow the winter schedule. Clubs vary, depending on their
orientation, although some clubs practice throughout the year and
compete in all styles.
The wrestling season can be organized differently, depending on
whether your child is participating in a school program or an
independent club. School sponsored wrestling typically involves after-
school practice sessions with weekly meets and tournaments. Meets
involve matches between the starting wrestlers from each of the
two or more schools. Standard weight classes apply to all teams
and competitions. Competition exists within teams for starting
positions.
Some school systems only offer wrestling at the high school level,
however, private wrestling clubs can provide opportunities to
participate at younger ages.
Wrestling clubs typically hold practices two or three times per
week and have anywhere from a few, to more than 100 wrestlers
ranging in age from 4 to 14. Club participants do not compete for
starting positions on the team. In most situations, tournaments are
open to all members.
Club and tournament operation typically conform to guidelines of an
affiliated state wrestling program. For example, most kids
wrestling clubs in Wisconsin belong to the WWF (Wisconsin
Wrestling Federation) which provides everything from insurance to
state tournament competition, resulting in a high standard of
organization, consistency and safety throughout the state.
Tournaments
Wrestlers of all ages can compete in weekly season tournaments
held in most metropolitan areas throughout the Unites States.
Tournament competition is organized by weight and age. Typical age
brackets, for example, are as follows: 8 and Under, 9&10, 11&12,
and 13&14. Weight classes are either pre-determined, or blocked
into groups of 4 or 8 after all wrestlers have weighed in.
Most school-sponsored tournaments are held on Saturdays. Most
club-sponsored tournaments during the school season are held on
Sundays because officials are busy with school tournaments.
Wrestling tournaments can last for 4 to 6 hours, and can involve as
many as 200 to more than 1000 participants. Depending on the
team schedule, there can be as many as ten or more tournaments
throughout the season, some of which can be as far as several
hours away.
Registration is usually taken in advance; however, wrestlers can
sometimes register at the door when capacity has not been met.
Mandatory weigh-ins are most often held the morning of the
tournament approximately 1 to 2 hours before the first round of
competition. At weigh-in, wrestlers’ weights, ages and experience
levels are recorded on slips of paper that are used to form
brackets. Some tournaments have pre-determined weight
classifications, and brackets are formed within those classifications.
A completed bracket sheet will show specific parings for each
match. After each round, bracket sheets are updated to show
parings for the following round. Winners continue to advance, while
those that loose are typically eligible for “wrestle backs” in
competition for third or fifth.
Four-man brackets are common with 8 and under age groups, and
eight-man brackets are most common for older age groups. There
is usually a 30 to 60 minute period before the tournament begins,
when wrestlers can warm up and locate their bracket sheet if the
tournament sponsor posts them before rounds.
Wrestlers typically wrestle two to four matches in any one
tournament; however, it’s possible in some situations to wrestle
more. Tournaments are organized in rounds, allowing wrestlers
sufficient time to rest between matches. Before each round,
pairings are determined, using result of the previous round, and
wrestlers are called to a staging area or “bull pen”. Wrestlers are
then escorted to the mat by bracket, as mat space becomes
available. Some tournaments call wrestlers to the mat by name
instead of using the “bull pen” staging method.
Tournament regulations usually limit the number of coaches allowed
to coach from the edge of the mat. A referee starts and stops the
match, awarding points when appropriate. When the match is over,
wrestlers shake hands and return to their coaches. In some cases,
winners must sign the score card at the scoring table. Trophies or
metals are awarded for 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th, and sometimes 5th
and 6th, after all matches in their bracket have been completed.
Awards are sometimes presented at the scoring table immediately
after the match, or as announced from the head table. Wrestlers
are free to leave after awards are presented, unless there are
team activities for which they need to be present.
History and Fame
Wrestling has a fascinating history with deep roots in virtually
every major culture on the planet. Evidence found throughout the
world indicates that wrestling is without question the oldest sport
ever practiced. Cave drawings and carvings located in France dating
back fifteen thousand years show evidence of an early form of
competitive wrestling.
Wrestling was later popular in Greek and Egyptian culture, and is
prevalent in the architecture of many temples and tombs. Match
results are recorded in Japan dating back to the year 22 BC.
Wrestling was also a common element of Native American culture
prior to the arrival of European settlers.
Although even the most accomplished wrestlers receive little if any
public notoriety, quite a few famous people began their lifetime of
achievement on the wrestling mat. A stroll through the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater Oklahoma offers the surprising
discovery that many historical and current day prominent people
were once wrestlers. A partial list includes:
U.S. Presidents
George Washington, Zachary Taylor, William Taft, Theodore
Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant,
and Chester A. Arthur.
Several well-known Congressmen, Senators, and other Statesmen
and Military leaders including General Norman Schwarzkoph and
Denny Hassert.
Several Scientists including Benjamin Franklin and Nobel prize
winner Dr. Norman Borlaug.
Several well known actors including Tom Cruise, Tony Danza, Kirk
Douglas and Robin Williams.
And quite a few other prominent people including a long list of CEO’
s and presidents of major corporations.
The Coach’s Role
An effective coaching staff is essential in helping kids derive the
greatest benefit from their involvement in the sport. Coaches need
to be effective in planning, organizing and running practice sessions,
and coaching mat-side during competition. They are also called upon
in a host of other related activities, but most importantly, coaches
should strive to create and maintain an environment in which the
champion in every child can blossom.
It is the coach’s responsibility to provide opportunities for growth,
achievement and excellence that can lead to success on and off the
mat. A good wrestling coach is effective in preparing his wrestlers
for the challenges of competition and is able to instill positive
values such as goal setting and self-discipline, while maintaining a
high degree of enjoyment and fulfillment for the wrestlers.
In addition, coaches must be perceptive, flexible and creative
enough to address individual needs. In summary, the coach should
be a person wrestlers trust, look up to, learn from, and rely on for
support. This is certainly a tall order given personal limitations and
other commitments most coaches face. It is more practical
however, for these virtues to be present collectively within a
coaching staff.
The Parent’s Role
Wrestling can be relatively demanding, not only for the wrestler,
but also for the parent. Wrestling clubs typically hold practice
sessions two, and sometimes three times per week, in the evening,
after the high school practice is over. Many open tournaments
during the school wrestling season are held on Sundays, which may
conflict with other family plans, but at a minimum require a good
deal of preparation, driving and patience.
Some tournaments are a good distance from home, and usually
require an early start. There are other responsibilities as well,
ranging from fund raising activities to helping with tournaments or
participating in other team activities. The parent’s role, however,
extends beyond such tasks. Matches and practice sessions offer
new and unique learning opportunities for young athletes. Involved
parents spot these opportunities and make the most of them.
Most importantly, kids need support and encouragement. They need
to be able to stake claim to something positive about themselves
that they can build from in developing self-confidence. Parents can
facilitate this process by identifying and reinforcing strengths while
helping their child to see past their weaknesses. Your positive
reinforcement as a perceptive and caring parent can be the single
most significant influence in your child’s athletic development and
personal growth.
A famous Lao-tsu quote sums it up like this…
“To see things in the seed, that is Genius.”
Here’s some additional do’s and don'ts:
Don’t impose your ambitions or expectations on your child.
Remember that wrestling is your child’s activity. Improvements and
progress occur at different rates for each individual. Don’t judge
your child’s progress based on the performance of other athletes
and don’t push them based on what you think they should be doing.
Be supportive no matter what. There is only one question to ask
your child, “Did you have fun?” If meets and practices are not fun
you should not force them to participate.
Do not coach your child. Your job is to support, love and hug your
child no matter what. Conflicting advice and criticism work against
the coach’s efforts and only serve to confuse and de-motivate your
child. If you feel you have the experience and ability to contribute
to the team as a coach, volunteer your services through the proper
channels.
Get involved. Your club needs your help and support. Attend parent
and club meetings to find out how you can help. And most
importantly, show your child that you care by attending as many
meets and tournaments as possible.
Acknowledge your child’s fears. Their opponents appear to be much
more intimidating through their eyes than through the eyes of a
grown-up. Consider their perspective and don’t expect them to
compete with the confidence and mental toughness of a seasoned
expert.
Do not criticize the officials. Unless you have been there, you have
no idea how challenging officiating can be. Expect that in some
matches your child could lose as a result of an error on the part of
an official or score keeper. That’s life. Help your child to
understand that the official does their best to score the match
fairly, and that it is important that we respect the ruling of the
officials regardless of how we feel about the situation.
