I love and hate this time of year. Deep down I know it's kids wrestling and not all that important in the big scheme of things, but I still always feel sick. What if that kid, who my kid has always beat, throws him in a headlock and sticks him? Who's gonna be on the other side and in other districts? What if he gets sick? What if he doesn't make weight? What if 16 national champs just moved here from Alaska and are all going to be in his bracket at subs? What if an elephant falls from an airplane and lands on our car on the way to Subs?

Please help me.

That is hilarious!! Well there's always next year.

Windjammer,

Don't think that you're alone. I do the same thing. And I'm sure we're not the only ones.

I just started this whole kids wrestling thing and I know just what you are feeling! My kids this is their second year, I know I'm just getting started but it can't get any better!

My husband and I just had this conversation. Imagine the incredible amount of pressure that our little wrestler's feel. I dont think I realized how much he wants to win for his dad until last night. I think sometimes we all need to take step back and take a look at if the kids want to go to state, or if we want the kids to go to state...........I know just how you feel........

When my oldest son started wrestling, it became such a part of our life that all conversation in March started and ended with it. As he became older the focus became a little less as more activities were added to the year. Now, he is a freshman and my two youngest boys are in their second year of wrestling. I don't have the anxiety attacks and feel the pressure with my two youngest. Maybe because there are more things going on in my life right now. Maybe it is just from experience. All I know is that I enjoy watching Kids Federation Tournaments so much more now than I did back then.
Hang in there, it does get better.

Just make sure your experience for and with your child/wrestler is the best it can be. Don't put unreasonable expectations on them, be firm and encouraging and make sure they are doing it because THEY want to. I'm not saying don't be hard on them, but this can be done in a positive way, kids who want to be there will respond well to tough coaching, tough workouts and constructive criticism.

High school wrestling is full of successful kids who used to have a lot of ugly Saturdays as little ones and learned from it. You'll also sit around and wonder whatever happened to this kid and that kid that used to strike fear in the hearts of the other 8 & 10 year olds.

If your wrestler loves to wrestle, he will persevere and improve. If not, he won't stay in it anyway. Just be able to look back on kids' wrestling as a parent and know that it was a great experience for you to share with your child.

Good luck to your wrestler and all of them at sub-districts, may they all stay safe and wrestle their best!

I totally understand. This is my son's first year, and we do our best to make sure he knows we want hime to have fun, if he wins awesome, but the most important is that he is happy and enjoying himself. My worst fear is he will burn out before he reaches Jr or Sr High, if hes not enjoying. On the other hand I do stress over the same issues but try not to let him know or see it.

We all just want happiness and success for our kids.

Good Luck everyone with the rest of the season.

Last year my son dislocated his elbow the weekend before subs. While laying on the gurney he asked me, "Dad, am I going to be ready for state?" Of course he wasn't. That was bad but he came back hungrier than ever. So this year he is counting the days down to his chance to run out in the spotlight, center mat and shake hands before the finals. It is a nerve racking time of the year but I wouldn't and my boys wouldn't trade for anything. Good luck to everyone!!

Stress,,,,,,, what stress??????? I dont know what your talking about. I got to go. I need to go now and check the web site to see who is in my kids bracket on the other side............

Living vicariously. How can you help it? My wife and I have wrestled each and every match with our sons. We have been at it for 12 years now and it hasnever changed. If my youngest son decides to wrestle until he is out of high school, we will be doing it for another fourteen. I gaurentee that the butterflies I feel now before my older sons matches will still be fluttering around in 14 years. I love this stuff!

I'm sure I'll get my 4 hours of sleep in Friday night. Is this the best time of year or what? All of the intense training, eating healthy, missing parties, late night homework and early rising have brought the kids here. May everyone wrestle their hearts out this weekend. Every single wrestler should be applauded for chasing their dream. It's been an honor to coach the courageous kids in my club and to have competed in this great wrestling state!

Eric Johnson aka. Chief Renegade
Renegades Wrestling Club

what a great topic!! It' s great to know that you're not insane. That there are others that suffer from the "wrestling anxiety syndrome"! I'm like you 5465, I get the butterflies just like when I used to wrestle. It's crazy isn't it.

Isn't this time of the year great! I know just how everyfeels, searching the web who's in what bracket, who moved up or down, than after sub-D, who's out who's in, who are you up against at State if your forunate to make it that far. This will make my son's 7th year, this year I think I have been the most proud of him, as a 9th grader he wrestled HS Varsity at 215 / falling 1 point short of going to State in 5A giving up 30lbs. And as I look on the wall at his picture at when he was at 8 under @80lbs, yes it brings a tear to ones eye thinking back at all the great memory's and matches your child has been through, and all the times we as parents have walked a thousand miles and never left the spot we where standing at, all the chewing of the fingers, the rapid beating of our hearts, and the little tear that came to our eyes, when we saw the ref raise our childs hand so high. Yes this is one of the greatest sports that brings a family close together. My childern have all been involed in many sports, but none come close to filling a arena like Kids / HS Wrestling.

It's 9:30 Friday now and if you keep track of such things, subs start in 1,410 minutes.

And there I was mid-season going over the importance of some move with my 4 year old; I don't recall what I thought was so important. I had tried to keep the emphasis on fun, but don't recall having repeated it lately. In my mind I was drilling him on the importance of the move.

As we drove to the tourney I asked him what the most important thing was, expecting him to give the wrestling answer. His response, "Have fun."

I guess he still got it. I think most of our kids still do.

1391 minutes now

Wow...so great to know that I'm also not the only one who worries so much during this time of year. The madness is gutwrenching, but oh so worth it when your kid wins...especially if they make it to state. Seeing your child walk out on that mat knowing their in the top 16 of the state, what a rush, can you imagine what the kids feel like? Our anxiety has been greater this year, moving to a new district and being at the bottom of 14 & Under...wow, it's been a hard year. When you're used to winning most of your matches and placing at state, and you go to struggling this year with all of the changes, it really makes you appreciate the matches your kid wrestles alot more, and winning becomes way more exciting. I've never cried after my kids matches (except the first year he placed at state), but this year I've caught myself crying a couple of times after some real nail biting matches. Now wondering the same as everyone else...who's gonna be at Districts...is he gonna feel well...etc...etc.. The only comfort I get is knowing that he'll give his best, and that he's doing what he loves...and that when he does win, it's because he's worked his butt off for it !! Tomorrow morning my stomach will be filled with butterflies, and my palms will be sweaty..but, we'll be ready to wrestle !!

What a madness!!!! Good luck to all tomarrow and hope I get to be on again looking on Sunday!

Best of Luck Everyone!

I always get nervous for my son before each match, with the butterflies and all that especially in tough tournaments such as national level tournaments. I asked my son if he ever gets those butterflies and nervousness before his matches, and you know what he told me? "Dad, I am excited to get on the mat and try to out score any of my opponents no matter who they may be or where the mat is." This makes me feel a little better but i still get nervous.

well look at that its now 5:00 am the day of subs and here I am reading the forums. Time to get everyone up to get ready. Good luck to all this weekend!