Kansas Wrestling Forums General Discussion Kids Folkstyle "Around 80 percent opt out by the age of 12."

My son wrestled and played baseball from a young age until HS graduation--he was decent in both. He hated soccer, played one year around 6-7. Loved football, was a great youth league player, but didn't go out in high school which I thought was a mistake and its been a regret of his. He was in good clubs and bad. Had good coaches and some worthless ones. I don't know what motivated him but here are my general observations.

If they've been in kids clubs/sports for several years and haven't been successful it is very hard for them to keep at it, both for the kids and the parents. That is probably just human nature. And if its an individual sport like wrestling, there's really no hiding that you aren't very good.The kids know. I'm not sure there's any value in children being forced into participating in organized sports if they don't show a real interest in it.

Kids that have true friends in the sport/club seem to stick with it longer even if they might not be really enjoying the sport, they enjoy the company. Same for parents...if they make friends with other parents the long days in the gyms don't seem quite as bad.

Society doesn't place nearly as much importance in organized sports as in the past. When I was growing up, many years ago, being an athlete and part of a team was a big deal. Now, its not. There are many other ways to excel in school. Professional athletes aren't role models any more...many are just down-right scary individuals.

Sports is hard, physical work. Video games are fun.

Since this is a wrestling forum...wrestling is one of the most frustrating sports to participate in if you aren't very good. You get to practice/compete against the same kids repeatedly and some kids just get beat time and time again. Its easy to continue in the sport if you are the winner every week, but if you aren't, it takes a special person to keep plugging away in the hope that someday it will turn in your favor. But I think most 12 year olds are smart enough to know if they are getting clobbered week after week that isn't going to change.

Wrestling is also tough on players and parents...you sit all day for a few matches that can be over in a very short time if you aren't a good wrestler. Again, if you are always wrestling in the medal rounds, it probably seems worth it, but if not, I think it is easy to loose interest pretty fast.