Wrestling participation numbers

[a_mshaffer]

interested pod cast by T-Row and Funky the other day. Think it was the top 10 HS wrestlers show. However, in the beginning of the show Askren came up with some numbers and an interesting analogy. He stated that approximately 64% of beginning wrestlers come back the next year - which is a pretty high drop off rate. But then he indicated that since we have more youth programs than ever before the drop off is taking place before high school. Thus, the numbers in HS is pretty low now compared to the day when full JV teams were populated, etc.
That is how one could interpret his data. Pretty interesting. Also, since I coach some youth kids, I did like what he had to say about youth programs. Coincides with Neil Turner's philosophy somewhat.
.... not sure I agreed with his top 10 later in the show. Provided too much credit for freestyle post HS graduation in my eyes.

 

[dicemen99]

interested pod cast by T-Row and Funky the other day. Think it was the top 10 HS wrestlers show. However, in the beginning of the show Askren came up with some numbers and an interesting analogy. He stated that approximately 64% of beginning wrestlers come back the next year - which is a pretty high drop off rate. But then he indicated that since we have more youth programs than ever before the drop off is taking place before high school. Thus, the numbers in HS is pretty low now compared to the day when full JV teams were populated, etc.
That is how one could interpret his data. Pretty interesting. Also, since I coach some youth kids, I did like what he had to say about youth programs. Coincides with Neil Turner's philosophy somewhat.
.... not sure I agreed with his top 10 later in the show. Provided too much credit for freestyle post HS graduation in my eyes.

Interesting opinion and does contain contain merit IMO. It's certainly not like back in the old days when many wrestlers (including myself) were introduced to wrestling in 7th or 9th grade by a coach pulling double duty, or because you weren't a basketball player and you needed to do something after school in the winter. It may have took you a couple of years to figure out you were not going to be Dan Gable or that you were really into another sport and, voila, you were already a sophomore by then. I look at myself - starting playing baseball when I was 8, first did a wrestling clinic (I think there were two of them in the entire year) at the youth center when I was 11, first played organized football in 7th grade. Dropped the first one I was introduced to - baseball - after 9th grade even though I started on the freshman team (we had a 1000 kid class, three teams in every sport -9th, JV, Varsity - and 4 teams in football) and ended up playing the last one - football - in college. When you are not a superstar and dedicating your life to a sport, maybe there is a shelf life to how long you stay.

Not sure this is ever going to be reversed now, though, with the specialization and high level training occurring in most every sport - maybe with the exception of football - and the weeding out process being accelerated.

 

[a_mshaffer]

Interesting opinion and does contain contain merit IMO. It's certainly not like back in the old days when many wrestlers (including myself) were introduced to wrestling in 7th or 9th grade by a coach pulling double duty, or because you weren't a basketball player and you needed to do something after school in the winter. It may have took you a couple of years to figure out you were not going to be Dan Gable or that you were really into another sport and, voila, you were already a sophomore by then. I look at myself - starting playing baseball when I was 8, first did a wrestling clinic (I think there were two of them in the entire year) at the youth center when I was 11, first played organized football in 7th grade. Dropped the first one I was introduced to - baseball - after 9th grade even though I started on the freshman team (we had a 1000 kid class, three teams in every sport -9th, JV, Varsity - and 4 teams in football) and ended up playing the last one - football - in college. When you are not a superstar and dedicating your life to a sport, maybe there is a shelf life to how long you stay.

Not sure this is ever going to be reversed now, though, with the specialization and high level training occurring in most every sport - maybe with the exception of football - and the weeding out process being accelerated.

I agree. I was in a core group of kids from elementary/YMCA days through HS and we had numbers. I see lots of challenges these days. First and foremost wrestling is a tough, hard, and mentally tough sport and a lot of kids simply are too soft to want to stick it out. Keep in mind, in our day we were not allowed to sit around in the house all day - we were chased outside. There are many reasons and speculation, most have been covered in this or other forums.

 

[chalkstream1]

There has always been debate as to whether or not the singlet is an issue for some kids. I think the ridiculous weight cutting causes some kids to throw in the towel for sure. Easy fix there. Put them on the scale at the scorers table and then they proceed to the center of the mat. Simple. Pretty sickening knowing what goes on with these kids trying to make a weight to stay competitive

 

[a_mshaffer]

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There has always been debate as to whether or not the singlet is an issue for some kids. I think the ridiculous weight cutting causes some kids to throw in the towel for sure. Easy fix there. Put them on the scale at the scorers table and then they proceed to the center of the mat. Simple. Pretty sickening knowing what goes on with these kids trying to make a weight to stay competitive

I can see how some people don't like the singlets... those that don't fit well, a heavy kids fat showing, etc. I thought the shorts would have to be a little tighter 'compression shorts' than those portrayed above.

 

[chalkstream1]

I've seen some kids practicing in compression shorts lately. Seems like it makes more sense than a looser fitting "fight short". I think Indiana approved an alternate uniform for the upcoming high school season and the language is something like compression shorts or shorts made specifically for wrestling.

 

[a_mshaffer]

I've seen some kids practicing in compression shorts lately. Seems like it makes more sense than a looser fitting "fight short". I think Indiana approved an alternate uniform for the upcoming high school season and the language is something like compression shorts or shorts made specifically for wrestling.

yep. also, why the length requirement? what would be the difference between the 'leggings' one use to wear beneath the singlet?

 

[pawrestlersintn]

yep. also, why the length requirement? what would be the difference between the 'leggings' one use to wear beneath the singlet?

If it is what is pictured above then what you are talking about would be pants, not tights. Those don't look too tight to me.

 

[chalkstream1]

Looks like there are some options. I know the Who's Number 1 event from Flo has the kids wear an alternative to singlets. I guess any way they think they can increase viewers / participation is worth a shot. There are still tons of fans and participants that actually like singlets too

 

[jschrantz]

http://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/mc-high-school-wrestling-uniform-changes-20170505-story.html

 

[chalkstream1]

I'm seeing a lot of advertisements for this stuff. I wonder how long it will take for the inevitable. No headgear and no singlets on the way