Original Post By colesdad (65.205.58.20) February 09, 2010 Subject: Fatherly Advice Here is where we are at. We have an upcoming PJW qualifier in a couple of weeks. My boy is six and 90 pounds, but hardly ever wrestles anyone younger than eight. The weight class in the 6 and under goes from 55 to unlimited. The Bantam weight class goes from 80 to 110. Here is the question. Do I let him wrestle kids up to 35 pounds lighter than him and have a better chance of getting a ribbon or do I put him up in the Bantams and let him get handled by kids heavier and older than him. Hmmmmmmmm. Thoughts dads? Reply By Liondad --(71.60.158.110)-- Don't worry about medals, ribbons or trophies. Your son is six and your goal should be to get him mat time and the opportunity to get him as many matches right now as he can, but safely. Winning and losing when you're six isn't going to have any bearing on how your child does in junior high and high school people that think that it does I can show you several examples where it doesn't and the disparity when they get to college is even greater.
You're assuming that your child faces kids 35 pounds lighter, but it may not be the case there may be several kids in the same situation as you are. Not sure I helped but just offering my opinion.
Reply By colesdad --(65.205.58.20)-- No I appreciate it bro. He has had maybe 35 matches this year. We drive up north alot to the round robins so I am with you on the mat time thing. No substitute for rolling around. Thanks bro.
Reply By Firefox --(69.253.214.25)-- He has had 35 matches already and he is only 6? Wow, that seems like a lot. Let him skip the PJW's until his age matches his weight. His still has plenty of time.
Reply By BBSpa1 --(71.240.14.16)-- SKIP PJW's!! That's what these kids work for all yr!! That's the highlight of the season. When my youngest was 6 he finished that yr with 72 matches and wanted more. If your son wants to do it by all means stand behind him. As far as going 6 or 8 and under, you probably already know where he stands with the 6 yr olds so why not give him a chance to go to the big show. If he does qualify and goes 2 and out at states at least he gets the experience of being there and maybe won't be so nervous next yr when he has a better shot. If he doesn't make it this yr at least he will get better quality matches and maybe a desire to work hard for next yr. Good luck in whatever you do.
Reply By wood --(108.111.70.95)-- I woud have to agree with BBSpa1. Enter him in the 8 & U'S. You never know what the outcome will be. Thats why we take our kids to these tournaments anyways. You know what the outcome will be in the 6 & u and besides if there is a big weight difference, safety becomes an issue for the other kid! Good luck to you the rest of the year.
Reply By PinMan --(199.196.144.11)-- 72 matches for a 6 year old seems a bit excessive to me. You let him make the decision how much he wrestles, huh? Do you let him make all his own decisions? I'm surprised, I didn't realize 6 year olds had the cognitive skills to make a determination of what is good or not good for them. I thought that was called being a parent. Sorry, my siily mistake.
Reply By Liondad --(71.60.158.110)-- I agree Wood, exposing the little guys to the atmosphere of a big packed gym is a great way to let them see what it is like. My kids didn't make it out of areas last year as they both finished 3rd and only the top two make it, but we went to Phillipsburg to support their teammates and my little dudes got to see how it all works and it made them hungry, now they are looking forward to areas in 3 weeks and they want to go hard to make it back, but to wrestle this time.
We take them to Districts and Regionals to see the big boys in high school as well and they wrestled in Mawa's also along side our coaches to get the big tourney feel in their blood
Reply By rickybobby --(69.142.252.90)-- BBSpa, if my 6 year old is "working" towards PJWs all year, then I've got to get him some papers and start letting him contribute to the household income. Mine weren't ready for that at 6, so like a fool I indulged their fascinations with Power Rangers, T-Ball, the Zoo and Big Wheels.
Reply By rickybobby --(69.142.252.90)-- Seriously, Cole's dad it seems you are looking for some advice and not a wise ass kick in the teeth. Firefox and Pin2Win are on the mark.
Your kid is 6 - there is a long journey ahead. You don't have to be at the head of the pack when you start, just make sure you get to the finish line. If you get there, you'll have passed 90% of the kids your son is wrestling now. And you'll probably be at the head of the pack when it counts.
Reply By colesdad --(65.205.58.20)-- Thanks guys. Much appreciated.
Reply By rickybobby --(151.199.225.225)-- Also, Liondad has a point in his post that is great advice. Take your kid as often as possible to see the "big boys" perform at your local HS matches, sectionals, districts, states, etc.
If wrestling parents spent half as much time taking their kids to HS events as they did running around to tournaments, we'd have twice as many PIAA wrestlers as we do know.
You'd be surprised at how much effect a trip to your local HS' big match with your kid will have on his wrestling.
Reply By BBSpa1 --(71.240.14.16)-- First-Pinman there's no need to apologize for your silly mistake, i'm sure you make them all the time. Second-Yes I do let him decide if he is going to wrestle at a certain tournament or not. Wrestling is not a sport that you can make anyone do, you either want to or you don't, nobody can make you do it. Third-You don't know my kid do you? So how can you say what is excessive and what isn't? Of the 72 matches 3 went out of the first period. He probably wrestled les than 15 min total. Doesn't seem excessive when you know the facts does it? Last-I don't remember asking for your opinion or advice , this thread was colesdad asking for other dads opinions which I offered to him did you? Rickybobby-seriously? did you like that movie that much? lol I don't think you should be posting anything trying to sound smart. Have you ever taken a 6 yr old to a HS match? How much did he watch? c'mon. Your right about one thing, at 6 they aren't working towards going to states but the area tournament should be just as big to them.
Reply By Liondad --(71.60.158.110)-- My 7 year old sits there with the brackets and tries to keep track of what is going on. I agree most little guys may not stay focused on it but some do. I know mine love it, especially since we have a mat club and they have friendships with some of the high school kids they look up at the big guys like idols.
Reply By PinMan --(98.225.196.17)-- Your advice was directed at Firefox, not Colesdad, who in the original post, simply asked which weight class he should put his kid in. Not how far he should push his child (like you do)or if they should skip PJW. So, looks like the mistake was yours, not mine. You're right though, you can't and shouldn't make them wrestle but it's OK to tell them when to stop. that goes for many things, it's called being a parent.
Reply By BBSpa1 --(71.240.14.16)-- PinHead-my advice was directed at colesdad reflecting on what firefox had commented. Colesdad asked which age bracket to put his kid in not weight. Try reading. Maybe start by reading one of your kids books to him. "Ith talled bein a pawent". Another mistake, why am I not surprised. Don't apologize I expect it now. Tell them when to stop? Why? We aren't talking about him kicking the dog or pulling his sisters hair. If he wants to do it and we are going to be there anyway, whats it hurting? You know another mistake you made? Being a parent!
Reply By jhillegas --(96.235.27.155)-- I thought the rule was - you have to wrestle at your current age - and can not wrestle up? I agree with everyone on the mat time and getting the competition -
Reply By BBSpa1 --(71.240.14.16)-- Thats true for all except the 6u now. Since 6u doesnt advance to states they can wrestle up in 8u.
Reply By THEDMAN --(206.197.62.10)-- It blows my mind every time I read a thread. If you have a wrestler under 8 and make a comment or give your opinion. Your either a bad parent or your kid is to young for you to know anything. All you hear is that kids are not active enough these days. If you have a kid that likes,loves, or enjoys the sport why not let them do it. My son turned six in October. This is his second year in wrestling, he loves it and can't get enough. I take him to as many tournaments as "mom" will allow. Yes, at this age they are still babies who need parents to make decisions for them. My son plays soccer, baseball, football, and wrestles. The kid loves sports especially wrestling. So why not let them be super active in the sport. (rickybobby) Said he lets his kids play T-ball, go to the Zoo and ride Big Wheels. The last time I checked those are all summer activities. I can agree some kids at six are not ready for a full on season of wrestling. The parents that have a kid like that should take it slow. Let the child learn the sport at their own pace. If I took the slow approach my son would get bored with the sport. All you hear is that it does no good to have them at the top at his age. That is a bunch of crap, as long as they keep getting better and adding new movies. There is no reason a kid can not start out on top and stay that way through his or her wreslting career. I know some one will have a smart ass comment they always do. To you all I can say is your write I am wrong. I should have known not to queation you.
Back to my starting point some people need to get a life. You go on a forum and try to act cool. In person your probable the guy at work everyone still treats as a dork. Then you get home come on a forum and try to be Mr. cool. Get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
