Kansas Wrestling Forums General Discussion Kids Folkstyle When to start tournaments?

I have two boys 6 & 4 and my 6 year old wants to start going to tournaments. Is it too early to start my 4 year old too? I am new to the wrestling world and not sure. Thanks for the info.

let him start, but keep in mind that each wrestler is different. if it seems too much for him after 1 tournament, let him practice, and keep him out of tournaments. it's just a matter of the kid. ask your coaches and see what they think.

We took our kids to a couple of small tournaments to start. But suckerpunch is correct if it seems to much just let them keep practicing. Wrestling season is a long season and it is easy to burn the little ones out.

As mentioned before it all depends on the wrestler.

When our oldest son began wrestling, we attended a tournament our club was wrestling in. (At the time he was not quite 6.) That way we could explain a few things to him as they were going on. Even the simplest things can seem overwhelming, (checking in before you go on the mat, putting the leg band on, shaking your opponent's hand and so on). All those things can be explained at practice, but for a young wrestler competing for the first time, it can all be very intimidating.

His younger brothers grew up going to tournaments, so to them it was old hat when they started wrestling.

Maybe have your boys wrestle in a novice tournament for their first time as well.

Whenever you start, I would do it at the bottom of the age division, so the kid can get at least two years before moving up.
And four is awefully young. Some clubs don't take kids under six.

My oldest started at 6 and did ok mentally at first, then would break down before the match even started so we decided to not go to any more tournaments his first year (he went to maybe 3 or 4 his first year). We continued going to practice, and didn't attend a single tournament his second year...just practice. His 3rd year we only went to a tournament every other week. Now he is fine. I had to handle him with kid gloves.

My youngest started last year, and like what was mentioned above, he has been going to tournaments and watching kids wrestle for a few years, and he hasn't had any problems (other than keeping his head on the mat and not moving fast enough,...lol)

In my opinion, roll with the punches and take what you can get. If your child seems overwhelmed, don't let him quit. Instead, just go to all the practices and have fun. He will eventually grow out of it.

I appreciate the responses. We just started this year and the boys are having a blast. I look forward to learning more about the sport and watching the area kids.