While some parents might have apprehensions about allowing their children to participate in wrestling at a young age, the sport can add a great deal to a young person's life. Just like any sport, wrestling teaches your child values and helps her develop skills she can use in other aspects of life. As with any other martial art, youth wrestling in a safe environment provides invaluable tools for your child's future.
Safety
The safety of the athletes remains the most important aspect of youth wrestling. This begins in practice, as wrestlers work toward building their cardiovascular endurance and achieving an all-around higher level of fitness. Coaches should never push young athletes too far, however, because this can lead to lightheadedness, nausea and, ultimately, injury. Young athletes sometimes forget to drink enough water during a practice, so coaches must make sure that all wrestlers take scheduled water breaks.
Fun
Keeping youngsters interested in wrestling has its own difficulties, particularly if too much teaching takes place during practice. As a result, many coaches turn lessons on fundamental skills into a game. This begins by having the athletes perform a modified activity that has similarities to wrestling skills, but occurs in a different context. Coaches can then teach the same skill in a different activity, which prevents the athletes from getting bored with the repetitiveness of the drills. You can use any number of different games, as long as they include wrestling skills. Modifying these drills makes learning much more fun for youth wrestlers.
Personal Skills
When you allow your child to enter youth wrestling, your child should learn how to compete within the rules. A good coach teaches his athletes the rules and makes sure that they follow these rules during competition. These classes should not focus on winning at all costs, but rather on learning to compete, respecting your opponents and displaying character. When coached properly, youth wrestling can teach individuals how to follow directions, treat others with respect and take responsibility for their own actions. Coaches should also highlight honesty as a desirable trait for all wrestlers.
Camps
Wrestlers with advanced skills levels can attend day or stay-over camps to improve their skills even further. Local wrestling clubs might offer these camps for their wrestlers to improve their skills in a new environment. Make sure that you ask about the coaching methods used during a youth camp, since the organizers might use different techniques than your local club.
References
- "Coaching Youth Wrestling"; American Sports Education Program; 2007
- "Coaching Wrestling Successfully"; Dan Gable; 1998
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