Here is a point that parents of 5-6 year old wrestlers need to consider. Pushing or even letting a 5-6 go with several nights of practice, multiple tournaments and high pressure events like state, and I will even through in Tulsa, etc. will really have very little benefit to your wrestler in 3 years and beyond, and have a very high risk of a negative burnout effect. I completely understand the emotions of wanting your small one to excel, but as many who have been through the fires are trying to warn you, your little one will be better off if you hold them for just a few years until they are like 7-8. Let them wrestle and have fun in limited amounts until then.

My son wrestled one night a week at practice and went to 3 novice tournaments a year at 5 and 6. Then at seven we tried some opens and towards the end of the year he qualified for state. (He got thumped once he got there). By the next year he was state runner-up, and by age 9 state champ and kicking the crap out of the kids that were studs at 5-6. The learning is much more advanced and kids are able to learn better technique with just a few more years more of growing up. Maybe I let my son go too early as well and he will get caught by those that are hungrier and started seriously at say 10. I do believe that at some point it becomes too late unless your kid is so naturally gifted he can overcome, but holding them in just a little until 7-10 will surely not hurt them, and in almost every case help them down the road.

I am sure there are examples of that 5 year old stud that is still kickin tail in HS, but they are 1 in 100. The problem is we all think we have that one. My son is now 13 so time will tell if I timed it right and he will continue to advance. It looks good so far, and I will grant you it's different in every kid, but I guess my point to this rambling is that your odds are so much higher of having a long term successful experience with your children in wrestling if you resist the tempation to let them go too early.

That said I also believe they are your kids, and yours to guide as you wish. I would go along with 6u state even though I personally don't agree with it, if that is what the majority wants. I am done now, and good luck to all as we approach the end of the folkstyle season.

Mike Pursel 24/7