Early Wrestling Classes For Kids in Monroe, LA
How early can kids start wrestling classes? There are several benefits to introducing your child to wrestling while he is young. Children who start wrestling, according to Bill Campbell, author of the 2005 pamphlet “Parent’s Guide to Wrestling,” will have an advantage over their rivals when things become serious during his high school years. The age at which your child should start wrestling depends on a variety of factors, like his personality, interests, and physical abilities.
Do you want to enroll your child in wrestling classes but need to know whether it’s a good decision? Contact Pinnacle Martial Arts Academy to learn more about how early can kids start wrestling classes! Experience the advantages of wrestling for yourself by learning a range of grapples, throws, take downs, joint locks, pins, and other grappling holds from leading coaches at Pinnacle Martial Arts Academy.
Pinnacle Martial Arts Academy is a competitive training facility in Monroe, Louisiana. Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Kickboxing, and even individual instruction are some of the martial arts we teach at our facility. Visit our school now to enroll!
Four or Five
Wrestling is a sport that children can pursue as young as 4 or 5. Getting started at this age, according to Campbell, may help with coordination and emotional development. Your child’s mental preparedness to wrestle is the primary factor in determining whether he is old enough to start. Penn State coach Cael Sanderson, who won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics and was undefeated at Iowa State, said that it’s crucial for a child to acquire an early love for fitness, whatever the sport.
Second Point of Entry
According to Campbell, another popular entry age for wrestling is middle school. Students are a bit more mature at this time, and they can withstand the ups and downs of real competition. It will be difficult to start until high school since by then, the other children will have a lot more experience. The top high school wrestlers are generally those that had a head start. A committed athlete, on the other hand, may overcome such odds. In fact, in other states, such as Texas, scholastic wrestling is not even available until high school.
Downsides
According to Steve Fraser, a wrestling coach and an Olympic gold medalist, numerous child champions stop wrestling at the age of 12 due to burnout. They place too much emphasis on competing rather than just enjoying the sport. Campbell believes that those four and five-year-old starters should not be placed in highly competitive tournament-focused wrestling programs. The US Wrestling Association seems to agree, since no official national competition on its website allows any children that young.
Physical Well-Being
Some parents are concerned that subjecting their children to wrestling too early could harm their physical development, but experts suggest it may actually benefit them. Wrestling enhances coordination, flexibility, and strength, according to Campbell and Portland Youth Wrestling. Children who participate in sports that concentrate on just one muscle group are in danger of long-term injury and stunted physical growth. However, when they engage in sports that concentrate on all muscular groups, such as wrestling, the exercise is physically beneficial.
Advice for Children
You should demand a few things from a wrestling program before entrusting it with your child. Fraser recommends looking for a program that teaches technique and strong listening skills while also rewarding effort and emphasizing fun. Avoid programs that are overly emotional or that highlight children’s mistakes more than their accomplishments.
The Impact of Age in Youth Wrestling
Although there is a relative age impact in all sports, including wrestling, Danny Struck, head coach of the Jeffersonville (Jefferson, IN) High School wrestling team, says that there are numerous factors that play into an athlete’s long-term growth. Struck works with both boys and girls in all sports as a strength and conditioning coach and an assistant football coach at the school.
“It’s clear that being older makes you more physically mature than others,” says Struck. “You can see it right away in the pee-wee age bracket. When a child is four years old, he or she may be wrestling five-year-olds. That five-year-old is often 20% older than them.”
However, there are some factors that have a bigger influence on a wrestler’s athletic and wrestling career than the age at which he or she was born. Wrestlers who have good coaches and parents who see and appreciate this at a young age can make or break whether they continue in the sport, prosper in the sport, or abandon the sport.
Young Wrestlers Can Experience Burnout
Many youth athletes, particularly wrestlers, do not continue to participate in their sports beyond the age of 12, owing to burnout. This is due to many young athletes getting caught up in the competition and forgetting to appreciate the sport along the way.
This is the reason why many coaches are opposed to four- and five-year-olds participating in a fiercely competitive sport. While this is not true for every young wrestler, it is important to remember that immersing any kid in a sport at such a young age increases the likelihood that they will not continue as they get older.
If you decide to get your kid interested in wrestling at an early age, encourage them to focus on how enjoyable the sport is above the competitive part of it all.
My biggest piece of advice is to avoid coaches who are extremely competitive. They might take things too seriously, but a skilled coach for children will know how to make them enjoyable. If your kid is not having fun, they will most likely quit the sport as soon as they have the choice.
Getting Your Child Ready for their First Wrestling Tournament
The first time in any sport is an experience, so if this is your child’s first year on a wrestling team, prepare for it to be exciting. Stay FLEXIBLE and don’t be scared to ask questions; most experts will gladly answer them. The way things are done may seem unusual at first, but just be patient, and continue to learn with your child.
Because wrestling is a contact sport, CLEANLINESS is essential! Always have your child shower right after practice/wrestling match, cut their nails, and properly bandage any cuts or scratches.
This is provided for your information. You should relax, breathe, and be there to SUPPORT your kid throughout the game. What you must remember is that your wrestler is here to put his or her practice skills to work. Allow the coaches to coach, and enjoy your child’s wrestling tournament!
The Night Before
- Study the details! Check out the weekend tournament flier. These flyers include all the information for the day (place, date and time, admission, etc.)
- CUT YOUR CHILD’S FINGERNAILS
- Pack your wrestler’s belongings in a sports bag/backpack (wrestling shoes, headgear, etc.)
- Make sure your child gets adequate sleep the night before a wrestling tournament.
Proper Tournament Nutrition
The evening before a wrestling tournament. Feed your kid a nutritious, well-balanced dinner. Keep in mind that wrestlers need a great deal of energy for their tournaments.
After Weigh-ins. Wrestlers should be well-hydrated with water and/or a sports drink. They should also eat carbohydrate-rich snacks at least one hour before their match.
Understand the necessity for water in between matches. Drinking enough water is essential for eating well and fueling success throughout a tournament. The quality and nutritional content of the food served during tournaments vary greatly. It is advisable for parents to bring their own food for the day.
Monroe Martial Arts Academy
How early can kids start wrestling classes? According to some parents, wrestling is excessively harsh for young children and should be introduced in high school.
You may have your own opinions about the best age for children to begin wrestling. However, experts generally believe that children as young as four or five may start wrestling.
Pinnacle Martial Arts Academy provides wrestling lessons for people of all ages, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, kickboxing, and even individual one-on-one sessions!
We provide a well-structured program, a hygienic training facility, and a supportive community to help you grow in confidence and self-awareness. Members may enjoy limitless training on a month-to-month basis without committing to any long-term agreements. Come join us and enroll now!