Hello Kansas Wrestling

I am new to the state and attended some High School Tournaments this year. This question has been on my mind for sometime now. I was wondering why the kids would go over and shake the other coaches hand after the match?

I think it's probably just as it appears, sportsmanship and respect. But I think it also keeps the kids from storming off the mat after a loss so they don't make thier team look bad or lose team pionts. Either way I like it!

I think it is important to note that most other sports have followed wrestling's lead in this regard. Wasn't that long ago when wrestling was the only sport in which this was done.

I've even noticed more and more kids not only shaking the other coach's hand but even the official's as well.

At the Metro Classic, I noticed quite a few of the Missouri wrestlers did not go to shake the Kansas Coaches' hands while, from what I remember, every Kansas wrestler did shake the Missouri Coaches' hands. This likely went under the radar to many people watching, but I noticed and thought it was pretty sad, especially at an event of this magnitude and prestige.

Is this not done in Missouri?

When I was competing in high school, I remember going to Lee's Summit, MO, for their Christmas Invitational. None of the Missouri schools shook the opposing coaches' hands.

I think some Missouri officials stress to wrestlers in duals that they should wait until the end of the team competition to shake hands. We had some confusion about this at our dual with Adrian, MO, this season.

It's not required in Missouri - I kind of like that. The kid that loses just wants to get off the mat after the match and he/she is not listening to whatever the opposing coach has to say. If a kid is going to make a mistake its usually after he leaves the circle after the match - just let the kids go to their corner. If the sport requires it, then have them shake the coaches hand before the match. I don't see the coaches shaking hands at the conclusion of the match like they do in other sports.

Most of the wrestlers who shake the officials hands most likely have experience in Olympic style wrestling. At most national events for freestyle and greco (including the Olympic Trials) it is customary for both athletes to shake each other's hands, both coaches hands, as well as both officials hands regardless of the outcome. Not to say that it happens in every match, but most of them.

The only rule requirement is that the wrestlers shake hands before the match starts and at the end of the match as well. Failure to do so would be unsportsmanlike conduct.

Shaking the opposing coaches' hand is a Kansas custom, at least in most places, but failing to do so only raises an issue between the wrestler and his coach. I believe Missouri actually discourages the practice so it is not a sign of disrespect when they do not shake the opposing coaches' hand. It does cause a little confusion sometimes.

I would agree with this statement.

I would also agree with this statement. I applaud the custom, and the back half is between the wrestler and his coach.

This appears to be backwards thinking to me. How about have the wrestlers shake the opposing coaches' hands to ensure it does not appear to be a sign of disrespect? If not shaking the coaches' hands could be considered a sign of disrespect, then why would you discourage them from doing it?

This is what keeps us above other sports in the area of sportsmanship. In all my years of being around wrestling I have never witnessed an incident as a result of the wrestler shaking the opposing coach's hand. It requires those who have lost a match to regain their composure and I think it is a good learning tool for even those watching.
If you are talking about the coaches shaking hands after a dual, all of the duals I attend, the coaches do shake hands after the team competition is over, just like the participants.

It is not a rule in Kansas that the kids must shake hands after the match. Most kids do it. I think its fine kids shake hands with coaches but if they don't, who cares. There is already more hand shaking in a wrestling dual than any other sport. Kids shake hands with the opposing coach and wrestler during introduction, before and after the match, with coach after the match, and after the dual with entire team and coach again.

While it's not the end of the world if they don't, the fact is, many people do care. Me being one of them. The act is noticed by fans and casual observers as the person who started this thread pointed out. It might be the one thing that separates our sport from say, soccer?

I'm with sportsfan on this one, although I would rather have our wrestlers shake the opposing coaches hand before each match instead of after. I have seen many hotly contested matches where there have been problems after a match. It's also a time that coaches use to address their own wrestler.

Shake the coaches hands before the match starts.

Do coaches always want to shake kids hands right after the match? Is a fist bump adequate from a coach? Some could argue the fist bump not being the same as a handshake.

Thanks for all of the help with my question. I didnt know if it was a rule or what in kansas. After reading the posts I have to agree with Lazyman on one thing if a kid doesn't shake another coaches hand who cares its not hurting anybody. I also don't understand how it shows sportsmanship or respect to shake the other coaches had the kid didnt wrestle him.

From a wrestlers point of view:
I think shaking hands is the best way to end any match win or lose. Either way it still shows both coaches and wrestlers that mutual respect for one another. If I'm on the winning side I try my best to show gratitude and humility towards the other coach. If I'm on the losing side shaking hands gives me that "ten seconds" to breathe and cool down before I runoff and get mad. And many times taking the time to go shake hands has been the only thing that kept me from losing my head. I'm grateful for the handshake rule and think it's great for sportsmanship and upholding a small amount of integrity and respect.