son is in 2nd year at 6 and under. He has placed at each tourney, and is very competitive with the top 2 kids in his weight class. We want to take a shot at qualifying for state this year at 8 and under, we are planning to wrestle him at 8 and under 58 at Valley Center this weekend as a test, are we making a mistake? Thanks

In my opinion, you are doing exactly the right thing. Ease into the competition at the higher level by going to a few tournaments at the higher division. We used to live in KS when our boys were still 6U and we did the same thing. They were able to compete at State but didn't place in those years. As long as the expecation level is set that you are trying to do the best you can do regardless of the outcome and the kid is having fun...there is little wrong with this approach IMO.

My son is wrestling @ 8 and under 58 pounds and is in his first year. I have seen that with tougher competition my son improves more and more each time he wrestles. We went to Salina at 8 and under 61 lbs and he was bracketed in the A bracket even though he was classified as a "C" wrestler due to being a first year kid. The competition was great even though he was finished after 2 matches. He wrestled both kids well and took both kids 3 periods to beat him by the scores of 9-6 and 9-4 respectively. I was very proud of him to have wrestled these top notch kids so well even though he lost, because he is learning and the experience was our main objective. We have also taken him to USJNC where we knew he probably didnt stand a chance, but would get to wrestle very good competition in order to give him the experience and improve his wrestling skill. We expected to lose 2 and out and thats what happened, however he wrestled hard and the competition was stiff. Losing against stiff competition doesnt frustrate him because he is always wanting to improve at wrestling. I had a little talk with him today before practice and told him if he didnt want to, he didnt have to go to our clubs novice practice before his advanced practice anymore because his skill level has improved so much from the start of the year. He told me that he wanted to go to the extra practice because he wanted to learn as much as he could and to "help" teach the novice kids.

We will be going to Valley Center at 8 and under 58 pounds and welcome all good competition that he can wrestle and improve his skill.

So my reply is this: you are taking the proper approach because these same kids will be trying to qualify for state as well and you might see some of these kids later on down the road, so getting a taste of the competition and skill level now can only improve the wrestlers skill.

He will still have to make to to districts. If he makes it to state that is pretty good. Giving him experince will make him better.

We are going to try the same thing. We have an older son that wrestles, so our 6 yr.old has been exposed to this awesome sport for quite awhile. This is his third year, and he is more interested this year in learning more moves and is excited to wrestle each weekend. This will be a good year for us to try sub-district and more if possible.

I say go for it and see how the test goes. good luck

On the topic of moving up to see what he can do remember it needs to be the kids decision. I have been around the "wrestling scene" for many years and I've seen the good and the bad side of a move like this. Often parents try to push their kids without letting the kid decide and kids often get burn out. My son has wrestled since he was 7 and now he is 14, and our family stance is when or what weight he wrestles is up to him. If he wants to take a week off we do. One year we did the go all the time thing and he got kind of burnt out. I think he has gotten better because of this approach. He has placed at state multiple times and this year is 34-0 right know, and I think the non push approach has a lot to do with his success. I have seen the other side of the issue with parents and kids I know and sometimes this causes the kids a let done from having succes say at 6 & u and not much success at 8 & u. I think you should let your child decide what they want to do because remember wrestling is for the kids to have a good time. What ever the decsion I wish your son good luck!

I my self have a 6&under 52 pound son in his 2nd year and we are planing to wrestle up this year to test and monitor him to try to goto state.I have seen parents leave there kid at 6&under all year and then get there butts kicked at state if they make it.I say go for it and the best of luck!

I was in the same spot 4 years ago. Made the same choice. A couple bumps in the road along the way, but it's been a great journey. I had to learn two things.

One: to let him drive, while I showed him portions of the map and gave him options.

Two: there are those that want to help your son, and there are those who want to help themselves. Trust everyone but count the cards.

He is now 12U. He did one year novice, one year open (qualified for state), started the year then took a year off (kid club cramps), last year did well, this year has great promise.

He loves the sport. It's brought him a lot development as well as enjoyment, and he is starting to understand the "work ethic". That has made it ALL worth it.

Go for it. If he doesn't make it but tries his best then he is still a champion in my mind. Also don't forget about the 6 and under championships in Ottawa. It is alot of fun. My son is now 7 and now has to make it to state. But the two plaques he has from the 6 and Under is still a prized posession in his mind.

Thanks for all the input. Kyle wrestled 8 and under 58# in the A bracket at VC. He had two come from behind wins (one a pin) on the way to a second place finish. We realize its only one tournament, but we are hoping it means he at lease has a shot to qualify for State this year.