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#8013 11/18/03 05:24 PM
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I am wondering about the wisdom of my 9 year old cutting weight. I am very uncomfortable with it, but my son's father doesn't seem worried about making him cut a few pounds to stay in a weight class in which he can remain competitive. Anyone have any personal experience in a situation similar to this? Some constructive advice would be very much appreciated.

#8014 11/18/03 06:45 PM
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Generally, I recommend that young kids move up to the next weight class rather than try to cut weight, particularly at the beginning of the season. However, there are some 9 year olds who would benefit from losing a few pounds. If that's the case, and the weight loss comes from a combination of physical activity and healthy eating, then using a lower weight class as a motivating goal might make sense.

#8015 11/19/03 02:42 AM
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get him to weigh on a scale that measures body fat. Do not let him go below 7%- set this guideline with his dad before your kid weighs

#8016 11/19/03 03:35 AM
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Matdawg makes a good point regarding looking at body fat and all. You have to be careful on this and make sure you have a great scale and body fat measurement tool that is appropriate for age, they do vary from age to age. We finally made that investment (not cheap) but it was worth it. I also agree with Mike Juby that some kids can afford to loose a few pounds.

I would caution that the concept of "cutting" weight for a child this age has to be approached very carefully. If it makes the sport less fun and the kid is in pretty good shape don't do it. If the kid can cut weight by exercise and appropriate diet then I believe that is okay. It has also been my experience that after some time in the practice room that weight will naturally drop if your child is working hard. You would also be amazed at how you can cut weight by eating appropriately, cutting out soft drinks, sugar, etc can make a big difference.

I have scouted various web sites for what I believe are safe approaches to cutting weight. I have posted a page on my web site for wrestling which includes links to information regarding weight cutting. That link is http://www.furches.org/wrestling/links.html go to this page and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

My son usually cuts 1-3 pounds for a tournament without to much difficulty, it is unique this year in that he is a D5 or 15 or 14 and under wrestler who is having no difficulty making 75 if need be or 78. I must say that he never has to miss a meal for this but I must also say that I often have to make him eat more and appropriately in that he is afraid of not making weight. We remind him of who is in charge on these issues though, and make him eat. I have also found appropriate nurtrition suppliments essential. We have a specific brand that has worked wonders for us (I have already lost almost 40 pounds and anticipate a total of 50 by Jan. 1) this last year year and will be glad to share what has worked in more detail if someone wants to know. I must also say that Nathan has put on an additional 7 pounds of muscle this last year and he is much stronger as a result. Weight cutting can be one of our sports most dangerous and inappropriate habits. Appropriate diet, if done correctly, can be a lesson in nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.

#8017 11/19/03 11:16 AM
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I too agree that a few kids can afford to cut some weight, but if yours is not one of them, don't make him. Kids wrestling had a great 11 year old drop out last year because he was not eating on Fridays and making himself sick at weigh in if he did not make it the first time. He got so stressed out on making weight, that he quit wrestling and is thinking about not wrestling this year. It is not worth it. In some of the situations when a kid needs to lose 5 pounds to make a bracket that maybe the next up is heavyweight, then you should consider it. There is a big weight difference in heavyweight.

#8018 12/04/03 09:22 PM
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For little kids i wouldn't recommend it. Now if it was a bigger kid then it wouldn't hurt to cut a few pounds to stay competitive.

#8019 12/07/03 05:30 AM
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Its pretty hard to gain an advantage by cutting weight when you are 9 years old, as I coach and official my opinion is that weight loss at this age really isn't needed.


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#8020 12/08/03 08:26 PM
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I must agree with most of these posts. Some kids need to lose some weight while for others it would not be advisable. It was interesting to see that it wasn't mentioned what the wrestler wanted to do. If it is just a matter of 1 or 2 lbs. and the boy wants to do it that would be fine. However if the parents (Dad) are pushing it as is so often the case that will just be one more wrestler burnt out on the sport for the future.

#8021 12/22/03 09:26 PM
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If he is only loosing 1-3lbs then i dont think it would be something to worry about. but if it's any more than that i would have him wrestle up, just because he's only 9 and i dont think it would make much of a difference in that age group to wrestle a lil heavier cause i dont think many kids that age "cut" much weight.


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