Ok I found something I agree with Will on. Kids in the 12U and up groups SHOULD be wrestling on full mats. And while I am not big on split format tournaments, if that is what is required in order to make this happen then by all means do it that way.

On a side note. Its been my experience as an official that no matter how big the mat is, the kids are going to find their way to the edge of it. Some times its a tactical thing which by definition is really fleeing. Other times its just the way the action dictates. It drives me crazy that kids go off the mat but it happens and sometimes I have to award fleeing calls. I think its up to club reps to make sure that only clubs that have the venues capable or running such a tournament are awarded. We all know that clubs want these tournaments so they can make money. If you continue to allow them to have these without proper space, then half mats is what you are going to get. I remember last year at D1 at MANU was terrible and that is because they had full mats but they tried to fit too many mats on the floor.