Lucas,

I've been coaching for several years now both football and wrestling and I think the two sports go hand in hand. Most coaches know that their best tacklers are usually wrestlers and who better would you want on a line than someone who understands leverage and how to move bodies around like wrestling teachs.

I was trying to convince a young wrestler to stay with wrestling instead of focusing on just football and I got a little help from Jack Spates of Oklahoma. I'll attach his email here and let you decide what to do.


Terry-

I hope all is well with you. Located below is Bob Stoops' thoughts on wrestling and football. Hope this helps.

Jack Spates
Head Wrestling Coach
University of Oklahoma


University of Oklahoma Head Football Coach Bob Stoops' thoughts on wrestling and football

Having played football at the University of Iowa and gotten to know legendary Iowa Coach Dan Gable, I have become a big fan of the sport of wrestling.

In addition to enjoying the sport, I am convinced that wrestling as a sport is extremely beneficial to football and believe that high school coaches would benefit greatly by allowing their players to wrestle and by recruiting wrestlers.

Wrestling helps develop discipline to stay in one's stance. Wrestlers also generally have good balance, understand leverage and know how to use their hands. This benefits them in blocking, defending blocks and tackling. Perhaps the greatest benefit of wrestling is developing mental and physical toughness.

Many of the top football programs like Nebraska have a number of former wrestlers on their team. We have several and I not only allow, but have encouraged these to wrestle in the off-season.

I am a football man, but have the greatest respect for wrestling and all those who compete in wrestling.

Sincerely,
Bob Stoops


Good Luck

Terry Alley
Head Coach
Andover Central High


Last thoughts, injuries can occur anytime from many different circumstances. I have had more kids injured from horsing around than from actually wrestling.

Good luck in whatever decision you make.

You've been Coaching how long?