Here's a timely article by Bruce Gabrielson, Wrestling Coach (permission granted).
Having spent many years watching young wrestlers grow into adulthood, I'd like to offer my thoughts on the subject of why kids wrestle. The question likely has many answers. Some typical answers one would expect are:
My dad wrestled.Any of these answers, of course, would be from the perspective of how a young wrestler sees his or her world.
I like it.
It looks fun.
It makes me tough.
I'm too short for basketball.
I do well at it.
During early ages (six to eight years old), parents have a very strong influence on what their kids will do. By the same token, most kids want to do what pleases their parents. If parents are involved and supportive, and if a youth coach makes practice fun, then wrestling will become a big part of their young life (at least during the wrestling season).
As kids get a little older (eigth to ten years old), a great deal of emphasis is placed on trophies and winning awards. It's what their wrestling friends and peers think about them winning that counts most. Parental influence starts to loose some significance to this age group as well. Kids also become more involved in other sports, each with its own demands and influence. I remember when my own son played on a little league team that had a big game the day of our state freestyle club championships. Pressure was being applied by the baseball coach and team as well as by club members who needed his team points to win. My son decided on his own what he would do, but I'm sure he felt a lot of stress to make that decision.
As kids get into the ten to thirteen age group, perceptions again start to change. Now friends are involved in many other activities, and peer pressure towards wrestling is much less significant, particularly when the regular season ends and other sports take center stage. Also, other interests which are less stressful than physical competition start to influence a young person's life. It is at this age the personality of the very successful wrestler starts to emerge. This is why many successful youth wrestlers don't move on to successful high school careers.
Once the youth reaches high school, it's either make-or-break for wrestling. A great many successful wrestlers (probably more than most of us are willing to admit) decide they don't like wrestling as much as they did while younger, but stay at it for other more direct reasons. These reasons could be: it's the only sport they enjoy success at, they're just so good they can't give it up, or they see the slim possibility their successes might get them into college.
There also is more outside pressure in the high school age group drawing away from wrestling involvement. How many good freshman and sophomore wrestlers drop off once they get a girlfriend, a job, or a car? It happens all the time.
If you would like to comment on this article, please share your thoughts with Dave Carlson, your Amateur Wrestling Guide.
| Those of you who have been around wrestling for a while probably know about Coach Gabrielson. Currently, his main wrestling project is serving as head coach for the Southern Maryland Wrestling Club (see resource list). He has been involved in wrestling, coaching various youth sports, and writing about sports for many years. If you like what he has to say and would like to see more from Coach Gabrielson, let me know. |