The discussion in another thread regarding a chin under hook move in a kids novice tournament got me to thinking, especially after Beeson made a pretty good question about the move in a novice tournament.
My experience has shown me that different coaches, from different clubs, teach different novice moves. The question on the chin under hook on the other thread is an excellent example of that. If not mistaken the coach/parent (?) asking the question here is from Oklahoma. I recall from years ago that different novice clubs in Oklahoma taught different things. For example, Sand Springs always taught a headlock, Owasso taught early on a switch and various takedowns, some taught a variety of moves like a tilt, some a ankle pick and the list goes on. I have noticed over the years that the same type of thing is done here.
Personally, I always felt that in novice it was best to teach a single leg takedown, a double leg takedown (an optional take down of choice), a stand up, a sit out, a half and that was about it. Now on any of these you also work a lot of hip heists, which I like continued movement at all levels as even Dan Gable stated that it was the single most important drill in all of wrestling and who wants to argue with Gable. But there are clubs that teach a snake, and other moves that become easy for a novice wrestler to depend on.
Now don’t get me wrong, I think some great examples in Kansas have taught you that some of these basic moves, if learned appropriately, learning how to set up, and execute in appropriate situations are not always a bad thing. The two wrestlers that come to mind are Dylan Penka and Tristen Deshazer when it comes to the head lock. Tristen is using it at a high level in college, and Dylan is at High School and eventually will in college, so the old adage that a particular move don’t always work just isn’t true.
Here is my question, on a novice level, am I wrong for teaching the basics, getting them down, and then moving on from there? Also when do you start some of the more advanced moves with the novice kids? Seems to me, that if a kid is mastering the basics, it is either time to move them up to an advanced or open division, or to learn something else. I am also a firm believer that there needs to be a firm rule that dictates when a wrestler is a novice or open wrestler. In the interpretation of that rule, you run into problems when other states show up at your tournaments, it is one of the reasons it is important for clubs to clearly indicate in their registration what is, and is not a novice wrestler. As much as some hate the idea, it is also critical that those clubs enforce those rules at their tournament. It is kind of like the getting off of the floor if you are not a coach announcement that is always made, start ejecting a few people right off the bat, and see how little you have to make that announcement then, people will learn to not enter a kid who is in violation of the rule.
Anyway a few questions and points I came up with that I thought deserved its own thread. Now, your thoughts?
