My 6th grade wrestler
- Thread starter Rhino80
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My son started practicing with the HS team everyday as a 7th grader. He went from “good” to competing for a middle school state title in a few months. He got his butt handed to him daily in the HS room and then dominated kids his own age. Best move we ever made. Get him in there ASAP.
The tougher the competition, the more your son will improve.
I loved the report that when David Taylor was younger, and with Dad’s urging, always wanted to work his way his matches, rather than just getting quick pins, where he would learn nothing.
The toughest road leads to the greatest reward.
Do you trust the HS coach to look out for your son? Have you talked to him? That would go a long way to my decision, if I were in you position.
Yeah, the coach, and your son’s mentality would be the deciding factors for me.
If he was invited, then the HS staff have already determined he was ready, not just in size, strength and ability but maturity. My kids went to a high school were 7-12 was in one building. If you were a small seventh grader, you were overwhelmed a bit. You son should fit right in.
I was a manager on the HS swim team as a 7th grader. I sucked and really got my ass kicked, but by 9th grade, I was swimming either backstroke or fly on our second medley relay and a cog on our second freestyle relay. We had to split free relays and go 1/2 against a team and it was a highlight when we pulled it off. Your son will have tons of confidence when he gets to the high school level......nothing new here.
Plus, he will be a leader as to how things are done. When I coached 11/12 year olds, everything we did was based on what the high school program was doing to get kids ready for districts and states. The kids I coached did great in high school, because they had the fundamentals down pat. Kids would see me and say " hey, we did your old "SRATH" drill today. The coaches would laugh because it was all orchestrated.
first you probably have to check your rules....i hate to even type that but your school may have rules against such organized activity with the age disparity. You may have to sign a waiver or get an email into the coach that you are ok with this and accepting of the possibility of injury, mental anguish or locker room swirly that could happen. Each state is different too. Some states let you wrestle in HS in 7th or 8th grade but PA wouldnt let you, and so know your rules or search them out.
Again hate to type that but its something I had to contend with all the time back in the day.
So on to your son....nobody knows your son better than you. Can he handle the adult talk that happens at practice? Can he handle the older strength of the kids? Can he handle getting his butt kicked? Can he pick up on the advanced technique being taught? Can he handle the greater intensity conditioning, etc, etc, etc
If he can handle the higher-level physical, mental and maturity of the older practices, I would say do it but monitor it all along. He could have a good day, good week and then boom something happens that sends him down the other side. Ask questions of him, peak into practice, check in with the coach ...again, etc, etc, etc
There are a lot of head strong folks in this sport........ iron sharpens iron, sink or swim all the lines we type about around here all the time. The problem with that is many kids are not ready, especially in MS. The sport just isnt for everyone. We want them to be. Sometimes we really-really want them to be but it really is not in the cards. if you pay attention to your kid, you'll know this within a practice or two.
Also check who your wrestler will be practicing with. Is he working out with seniors or freshman or is it 100 match winner or a couple of older but fishier kids. These fishier kids may not have the technique or attitude of a great wrestler, but will give him a look that he needs to make his climb.
Last thing I would not send him up every day. A couple of days a week, a saturday morning here or there, sure why not if he can handle it. But just sending him there, and then coming down for MS match day could back fire for team chemistry. Which sometimes is as much about the other team parents and not always the kids on the team.
so again, you know your kid the best. Pay attention to him and you'll know what to do and adjust as needed.
Again hate to type that but its something I had to contend with all the time back in the day.
So on to your son....nobody knows your son better than you. Can he handle the adult talk that happens at practice? Can he handle the older strength of the kids? Can he handle getting his butt kicked? Can he pick up on the advanced technique being taught? Can he handle the greater intensity conditioning, etc, etc, etc
If he can handle the higher-level physical, mental and maturity of the older practices, I would say do it but monitor it all along. He could have a good day, good week and then boom something happens that sends him down the other side. Ask questions of him, peak into practice, check in with the coach ...again, etc, etc, etc
There are a lot of head strong folks in this sport........ iron sharpens iron, sink or swim all the lines we type about around here all the time. The problem with that is many kids are not ready, especially in MS. The sport just isnt for everyone. We want them to be. Sometimes we really-really want them to be but it really is not in the cards. if you pay attention to your kid, you'll know this within a practice or two.
Also check who your wrestler will be practicing with. Is he working out with seniors or freshman or is it 100 match winner or a couple of older but fishier kids. These fishier kids may not have the technique or attitude of a great wrestler, but will give him a look that he needs to make his climb.
Last thing I would not send him up every day. A couple of days a week, a saturday morning here or there, sure why not if he can handle it. But just sending him there, and then coming down for MS match day could back fire for team chemistry. Which sometimes is as much about the other team parents and not always the kids on the team.
so again, you know your kid the best. Pay attention to him and you'll know what to do and adjust as needed.
Of course this is a must.....if you are in a position to know if the HS coach is actually good at what they do or just a warm body, the only person the AD could find. You might be better off finding a realtor.
It's been several years since I coached jr high and I'm old so my memory is not what is used to be but... ln PA, 7th and 8th graders could not work with varsity and if a 9th grader went up with varsity he could not come back down to the jr high team so be sure to check your states rules.
you know your son's disposition better than anyone. if you think he'll take the challenge and learn from it no matter what the outcomes may be, go for it. if not, i wouldn't risk it.
gotta trust the coach but you don't want him annihilated in every practice - could get hurt. If there is someone he can be fairly or even remotely competitive with - then go for it. Great opportunity.
Maybe our boys could train together so my son could teach your son how to wrestle like a champion. Seriously, my boy has some new sweet, never seen or been done on camera moves to teach, let me tell you!
Infact, my 2 year old already has 2 full ride Scholly offers from the greatest coach in the country Tom Brands, and the other was hand delivered just the other night on Christmas Eve by (how my wife describes him) "slightly less attractive Matt Damon with alopecia." IDK.
This guy had a bunch of blue and white apparel and paperwork that had mud, blood and wet snow all over it. Ruined! Evidently he tripped over my Hawkeye wrestling statue I got from Dan Gable. He was shaking and looked.. uncomfortable. Nice enough fella, just kinda got bland for a bit there before he left eastbound.
The boy has been running around yelling.. "anyone can wrestle until they're tired" & "I shoot I score, he shoots I score" & "it ain't how hard ya hit, it's how hard you can get hit"(He has been watching a lot of Rocky movies lately). I taught him all my best moves so he is pretty much set for life now. Just needs a little polishing.
If you need contact info OP just come on over to HawkeyeReport and we will exchange information. Good luck to you and your mini me my friend!
Infact, my 2 year old already has 2 full ride Scholly offers from the greatest coach in the country Tom Brands, and the other was hand delivered just the other night on Christmas Eve by (how my wife describes him) "slightly less attractive Matt Damon with alopecia." IDK.
This guy had a bunch of blue and white apparel and paperwork that had mud, blood and wet snow all over it. Ruined! Evidently he tripped over my Hawkeye wrestling statue I got from Dan Gable. He was shaking and looked.. uncomfortable. Nice enough fella, just kinda got bland for a bit there before he left eastbound.
The boy has been running around yelling.. "anyone can wrestle until they're tired" & "I shoot I score, he shoots I score" & "it ain't how hard ya hit, it's how hard you can get hit"(He has been watching a lot of Rocky movies lately). I taught him all my best moves so he is pretty much set for life now. Just needs a little polishing.
If you need contact info OP just come on over to HawkeyeReport and we will exchange information. Good luck to you and your mini me my friend!
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Im in Colorado and the practices are at a club ran by the HS coaches so it us outside of the CHSSA rules. I have met the coach a few times but I don't "know" him. He's in his first year here, was a HS 4-timer and D1 AA. So he definitely knows wrestling but Idk how he'll be as a coach. His philosophy is in line with the way I think. Im thinking we'll probably give it a go and see how he likes it.
Was going to suggest the club route, but it looks like that's the case anyway.
If practices are for the entire HS team, I'd ask the coach to pair him up with kids at +/- 2 weight classes. At least for some initial period. The 11th grade 182s (for example) might gravitate toward a 6-footer -- and the physical maturity/strength differential might get him injured.
I might loosen that up if practices were limited to Jr High, maybe 9th grade. Or maybe with time, if he's adjusting well.
If he catches on, this could be great for his future wrestling. At his size, he's likely headed toward 215/HWT. Kids his age/weight wrestle like heavies. Learning to wrestle like a middleweight will make him unique (and therefore dangerous) once he fills out.
If practices are for the entire HS team, I'd ask the coach to pair him up with kids at +/- 2 weight classes. At least for some initial period. The 11th grade 182s (for example) might gravitate toward a 6-footer -- and the physical maturity/strength differential might get him injured.
I might loosen that up if practices were limited to Jr High, maybe 9th grade. Or maybe with time, if he's adjusting well.
If he catches on, this could be great for his future wrestling. At his size, he's likely headed toward 215/HWT. Kids his age/weight wrestle like heavies. Learning to wrestle like a middleweight will make him unique (and therefore dangerous) once he fills out.
Not sure if a 6th grader is allowed to wrestle with 7th or 8th (this is a very common practice,and I myself was guilty of it with both my boys) but I can ASSURE you, a 6th grader cannot roll with 9-12 in PA. At least not at an official school practice.
I know a certain Saegertown coach who almost lost his job over this.
Yes, that is true in PA and here in Colorado. All of the HS teams here have separate clubs and separate practice facilities outside of the school. I know most PA teams do as well, Benton has the Slaughter House Boys (Slaughter house turned into a wrestling room).
Someone mentioned above about wrestling like a heavyweight. That is very true of him and I think this can be super beneficial for him if we do it right. I called the coach again, he wants him twice a week and to go to MS practice twice a week. Thanks for the advice.
I'm sure he has a favorable opinion of the lions already....
But..... the last Colorado kid to come through lorenzo was a legend around these parts. If your son has 1/4 the HS career he had you're in for some f** times.
Enjoy!
A lot of great advice above. Maybe we should start a "Dear Abby"-like thread 😏.
Only thing I can add, though not a direct answer to your question, is to be aware of sport burnout at that young age.
Only thing I can add, though not a direct answer to your question, is to be aware of sport burnout at that young age.
Definitely Roar, Im the son of a PA HS wrestling coach. I started too young, cut too much weight and wrestled year round. I hated wrestling by my Jr year. My son plays lacrosse, football, and wrestles and usually eats breakfast before weighing in. I tried to keep everything pretty light and fun for him. He wanted to see how he stacked up last year so he asked to go to Tulsa and Rocky Mountain Nats. He got 2nd in Tulsa and 1st at Rocky Mountain Nats, so hes wanting to get more serious. I definitely like that its his idea, no pushing necessary. Our experience at Tulsa was pretty eye opening, like a giant child abuse convention. Lots of fathers living vicariously through their 8 yr old kids.
I could tell by the tone of your original post that you were likely cool about this. I too have seen it too much (living vicariously) in my lifetime, at all levels of competition.
I always wonder when I hear intent-guessing phrases as “living through their kids” or “feeling of entitlement”. Sometimes people act in a seemingly wrong way, but not for the bad reasons we casually assume.
having gone through it like most of us on this board... lots of emotions go through parents... some are simply just 'pride' and the competitive spirit. Regardless, there are limits on how far you go. I've seen from many angles... coach, parent, spectator, asst coach... and many sports - Little league, Sr league, wrestling - youth to HS, swimming, and soccer programs from youth to HS and rec to academy. After parents, the coaches are close behind. I think all ref's could write a good book on their experiences - a humorous one!
Parents are the worst part of youth sports.
As guy I used to think it was only guy sports with crazy parents.
But now with my daughter I see it's both genders. Holy mackerel are some moms nuts about soccer and bball...wow....just wow
As guy I used to think it was only guy sports with crazy parents.
But now with my daughter I see it's both genders. Holy mackerel are some moms nuts about soccer and bball...wow....just wow
From my experience, the parents that never wrestled at a high level are some of the worst. I stood in line with my boy at weigh ins and watched a skin and bones 6-8 year old spitting in a soda bottle trying to make weight. These kids have years of making weight in HS to look forward to, I just can see it for a youth tournament. My boy skipped breakfast one time for a local tournament, because he wanted to make the next weight down because there was a tough kid in that bracket. Thats about the extent of his weight management.
All being said, Wrestling Mom's are by far the most obnoxious parents in all of sports. I get so tired of hearing , "stand up" , "run it" , and "he's choking him". Usually makes for interesting Saturday and Sunday afternoons, thats for sure.
All being said, Wrestling Mom's are by far the most obnoxious parents in all of sports. I get so tired of hearing , "stand up" , "run it" , and "he's choking him". Usually makes for interesting Saturday and Sunday afternoons, thats for sure.
