I had some dads asking questions on college section that were applicable to youth wrestling, so I have edited material and posted below.

There is no standard answer to "when is the best age to start wrestling" and "when is the best age to get serious".

Age 4 is too young to start in a traditional kids club program. I suspect 95% or more would agree with me. I suggest holding your nephew back until at least the "ripe" age of 5 :-)

At age 5 you can ask him if he wants to try it. If he says yes and likes it fine, but if after a practice or two he is not relatively interested in going and being there, wait til he is 6, 7 etc.

My son is currently 4. He has been doing gymnastics since he was two. Quite frankly, he is not real fond of the structured group activity (not many 3-4 year olds are), but he has still gotten a TON out of gymnastics. I would say his interest in gymnastics is moderate. If it was wrestling, there is NOW WAY, I would have kept taking him to weekly classes. However, if he "burns out" on GYMNASTICS so be it.

I have recently started a non-traditional wrestling/gymnastics class at our local gymnastics center. The response has been great! We use the floor exercise area and have a great time! We have a 4-6 age group and 6-10 age group. Enrollment has been great. I have discussed this in a different post about marketing or promoting wrestling that is now probably drifted a few pages back. This is NOT like a traditional free for all kids program. We do not go to matches. The focus is on fun, developing athletic skills, and exposing kids to wrestling. It does not seem "cool" to try wrestling when you are a teenager if you have not grown up doing it. Plus, it takes much WORK to catch up with kids who wrestled in pee-wee. Times have changed from days when you could start in grade 7 or even grade 9 and excel.

Some general answers below. Keep in mind each child's situation is different.

If you enroll in a traditional winter kids program between ages of 6-8, it is ok to start competing at the local level. It helps kids need to understand the practices they go to are for purpose of not only developing skills and having fun, but also for purpose of performing in competition and striving to win matches. Once skills start to develop, doing some traveling is ok if the child is interested and wants to be challenged.

If a child likes wrestling, he is never too young to learn freestyle and greco skills. Gut wrench is an easy move. Ankle lace is not rocket science. Young kids can often throw as well as big kids. Back arch and Back step are "basic skills". Do not be scared to teach them to young kids. I back arch and back step as well as I can do a penetration step.

When to go to Regional and National Events is a family decision. Here in PA, we get such good competition within the state, I question why so many parents drive their kids out of state so frequently during elementary school. Once your child can win 80% or more of his matches within the state, pick some Regional or National Events to attend. Once your child is in Junior High and he is winning 90% plus of his in-state matches, the perhaps traveling out of state 3-6 times per year for big tournaments is practical. Only travel if your son strongly desires the challenge of these competitions and wants to travel. Finances are also a consideration. You can only offer a child as many opportunities as you can afford. Pick and choose events wisely. Key is to make sure your child is highly motivated between ages of 13-17 and help him become SELF-MOTIVATED, so he is ready to "fly on his own" when you send him away to Penn State, I mean college. Too many dads make all their somns training decisions and then when they go away to college, they do not have the SELF-DISCIPLINE and INTENSITY to continue doing the necessary work to improve and excel.

Ken Chertow
U.S.A. Olympian

Gold Medal Training Camp
www.kenchertow.com
www.wearandgear.com

"Be a scholar athlete, not a dumb jock."