Should a HS kid wrestle at a weight that he would have a better chance at or should he move up OR down to wrestle in a spot that the coach needs him to fill.
Just looking for feedback!

I would tend to think that it would be the kids choice. I know that when I used to cut weight it was my decision, not the coaches. But I also knew where my team needed me in the line up.

If a team has a real shot of winning state I could see puting the team first to fill spots. I also feel a senior with a title shot should have first choice.

I believe it should be the kids choice.

BLT, can you give us a little more on the situation?

my son has walked around at about 170 pounds for football. His best friend and team mate is ranked in all class at 170. He has already started his planned to drop to at least 160. The coach now wants him to wrestle 182 or 195. The coach is trying to fill his roster as best as he can. Its a smaller 4a school and he can be varsity at any of these weights but he wants look towards state this year. Now I understand that 4a 160 is stacked. But we rather wrestle at 160 or 152 then give up all that weight and power 182 and 195.
We just thought it should be our choice but we also want to be a good team mate so...

Most kids will decide the weight they want to wrestle at. When it comes down to two wrestlers at the same weight, they wrestle for it. Better man fills that spot. Then the decision is where you can wrestle at and stay competitive. My son had the same choice 4 years ago at 189. No chance in beating Beard, but he found a spot at 285 and It just so happened he liked it there.

What do you think is more important later in life, being a good teammate and doing what's better for the team or only doing what is in an individual's own self interest?

You should try to do what is best for the team as long as it is not detrimental to the wrestler's health. If a wrestler can't make the next weight class down due to a natural growth pattern, then they should wrestle were they are comfortable and still be able to help the team score points. In a case of moving up two or three weight classes, that is a challenge. I would think that if you can move down and win any challenge thrown at you in practice, then you should earn that spot and someone else move up. Whatever the outcome is, best of luck this season.

Are those two different things?

Curtis,

Your wording on this question is loaded. You know better than me that wrestling is not football or roundball. In those team sports, they don't have individual champions. Later in life, if a wrestler had wrestled up for the sake of the team placing 8th vs. 11th at state and that wrestler was not on the podium, in my mind the upside was not worth the move. Later in life, a wrestler that landed on the podium and possibly secured an offer to help with his education while also scoring more points for his team will carry with them a lifetime accomplishment. There are exceptions of course with Dual Team championships or bumping up for single duals etc.

Well, Being that their is only one tournament that decides a state championship for the team, and individuals. The team will not do well at the tournament if the you are 2 and bbq. Honestly you have to go where you will have the most success, and score the most points for the team. Another thought is, can he make it down to 152? Has he ever cut weight before, and done it the right way? Does he realize the mental battle that cutting will have on him?

Don't worry about being a good teammate. You can be a good teammate in the practice room by how hard you practice. Wrestle at the weight that gives you the best chance to get on the podium. Unless your team wins state, its not a very big deal. I was on a team that took 3rd at state last year, and I was also in the state finals. It is a way better feeling to get on the podium then it is to stand in a group and be given a trophy that you don't even keep and will never see again.

Amen.

I think there is a balance to the team vs individual discussion. BOTH are important and should be determined on a case by case basis.

I will offer a counter perspective to KSwrestler103 and Chief...

I won an individual state championship in high school. The best our team ever finished was 2nd. One of my biggest regrets to this day was not being able to win the state team championship.

Neither perspective is right or wrong....just different.

Shawn Budke

There is a balance. This is is: Individual first, team second. Especially if your team is not a contender.

Shawn, Would you have chosen to place 2nd at state over 1st if your team would have gotten first instead of 2nd? Don't lie!!!

The greatest thing about wrestling is the wrestle off. The wrestler chooses where he wants to wrestle. He challenges the others and the best man gets the spot!! No coach favortism. No booster club involvement. It doesn't matter who your mommy or daddy is if you can't put up then you have to shut up. Beautiful isn't it!!

He can make the weight!
Like I said he hadalready started his drop.
I guess my question is... isn't there a rule that says you have to wrestle a certain number of matches at a weight in order to wrestle that weight at state?
He has no problem wrestling upper weights to fill spots at duels etc. Its just the end of the year that's our concern.

Bawoody
I hear what your saying...
He had Beard and Hicks and stepped up to 285 but IMO your boy is at a different level!
But then again its not fair cause I'm a fan!
Lol

Interesting sidenote: I've heard both Hagerty and Mayaab state ... they don't have wrestle-offs!

That is the one thing I DO NOT admire about them.