Kansas Wrestling Forums General Discussion Kids Folkstyle USA Folkstyle Nationals

TOHK will be practicing the week of March 31 for this event. We plan on taking around 20 to 25 wrestlers. It's a more afforable as team. Plus Juniors who place can attend the Olympic training center.

whats the right age to start most kids. i know it varies from kid to kid but I have a 7 year old that is in his 3rd year of wrestling. he needs lots of fundamental work but is a very strong kid. works hard sometimes and loves wrestling. I do not want to burn him out but think he could try the freestyle and hope he picks some of those things out that would help him in folkstyle. any suggestions. Have been told by several people dont start him too soon. what would be too soon.

i meant to start for the freestyle wrestling.

bockman, you as the parent, are the best one to answer that question. depends on your kid and what level they are at mentally and physically. you would know the limits of your kid better then anyone else. heck, my boy wrestled every weekend and went to district his 1st yr when he was 5(4th place out of 4...lol) now he too is 7 and finishing his 3rd yr averaging 50 matches a yr. he just earned his way to state qualifier status through a 16 man bracket. he was the only 7yr old on the podium with the 8u's.

we are going to do freestyle this year because the extra time on the mat may help close the gap on some of the extraordinary competition at his age/wt.

so you see, who knows whats right or wrong since each kid is different. as I have stated before, we as parents and coaches can also be a determining factor in burning out a kid. not just by signing them up or sending them to the mat, but by how we support them in the type of emotional rollercoaster that only wrestling/combat sports puts them through.

your right. now that i think of it. he wrestled well in the middle of the season but slowed down toward the end. im not that worried about keeping up with the other kids his age. i think he will be ok when he gets older wether he wrestles freestyle or not. i just want to keep him interested for now. he is outside shooting baskets every night when i get home at 5:00. he loves basketball and is one of the better ones on his team. he is pretty tall and all his uncles are 6'4 so im hoping he doesnt turn into a basketball player but if so then i am fine with that to. as long as he doesnt sit on the couch playing gameboy all day. so i guess we will move into baseball and try freestyle down the road. thanks for the advice.