I was wondering what other clubs policies are (or what you think) with kids that practice with others clubs and do not come to their team practices.

I do have a problem with kids that practice with other clubs but I think it is wrong when you do not go to your own teams practices.

What are your thoughts?

Gotta go where partners are period. If you don't get tough kids at your practice gotta go else where. Loyalty can kill a wrestler thats not being challenged.

I totally agree. I am the kids director and head coach, middle school head coach and high school head coach.Honestly my son was wrestling down to stay with the team,not improving. we went out and now he wrestles for Jr Vikings. That is were he has had the most improvement. The caliber of partners makes the world of difference.

Jared Bammes

But I understand that but then who coaches them at a tournament..

the kids dad should coach him if no one else will.

I for one, let Jr Vikings coaches coach, thats when I get to be dad. It works good for Dusty that way.

its all for the good of the sport, we have open practices, and encourage our wrestlers to seek out other practice partners. no one should be upset with a kid or his parents trying to get better. some times there are hard feelings, but put them aside. who ever wants to coach them at a tourney, let them coach. let the kids decide, it shouldn't be too big of a deal.

I coach for a local club and I also coach about 20 kids at a local MMA gym (most aren't affiliated with my club). When I started this venture it was for my son. I called several good wrestlers that were about my sons age and weight and asked them if they wanted some extra mat time during the off season. They came, everyone got better, and now we practice every Wednesday ( practice gets bigger every week). I coach alot of these kids at tournaments every weekend with the permission of there club coaches. It's the best thing I could of done for my son and for the wrestlers in my district. Every tournament my kids go to their contenders for the top 4. I'm very proud of these young men and they know what it takes to be the best at what they do.

I'm not a coach, just a dad, but I think it's good to have kids come in from other clubs to our practices. They should still practice with their own club, but going out to another gives them a good look at new competition. We recently had a few kids come to our practice and it was very good for our kids. It was good to see them handle different situations much like they would see in a real match.

Thanks for all the input. I agree that it is good for kids to visit other teams but I also feel it is important that they know what is going on within their club if they are going to wrestle under that club.

THanks everyone

Some of you guys must have those kids that listen when there wrestling. Who coaches my son really never matters he just handles it. I yell (it makes me feel better)

This describes my son to a "T". Well at least lately he hasn't been listening. Maybe that is not a bad thing.LOL

The less emphasis you place on who is in the corner during a match the better off your wrestler will be. You make your wrestler better at practice not during a match.

I too support mixing it up by practicing at different places. Our family has belonged to six different clubs over the past 12 wrestling seasons. We never left a single one of them because we were mad but to go where the best practice partners were. I support everyone of these clubs to this day and it really BOTHERS me that some clubs are territorial, possessive, and down right mean about this topic. I have heard stories of HS coaches scolding kids who wrestled for a club other than their local club and that is just down right ridiculous! Open practice is good for your club and for the other clubs too. My boys have been guest partners for WWC when we visit Wichita, Liberal Wrestling Club when we visit Liberal, etc. If you are traveling call the club director and most will invite you in with open arms. To me, the friendships and acquaintances you make over the years as a competitor, coach, parent, support, fan or whatever are the greatest rewards this sport has to offer!

One last thing. As a dad it is SUPER important to realize when your time as a coach has passed. When your wrestler is young he might need you in the corner to give him a hug whether he wins or loses but as they get older they need a coach who isn't a dad (most of the time). A dad should offer unconditional support and love while a coach needs to send be able to push your wrestler "over the wall" or "through the wall". Don't butt heads with your kid, find a good coach to do that for you!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

One last thing. As a dad it is SUPER important to realize when your time as a coach has passed. When your wrestler is young he might need you in the corner to give him a hug whether he wins or loses but as they get older they need a coach who isn't a dad (most of the time). A dad should offer unconditional support and love while a coach needs to send be able to push your wrestler "over the wall" or "through the wall". Don't butt heads with your kid, find a good coach to do that for you!

At what age do you think, this is important 6,8, 10 or older?
Or does it have to do with skill?

I think it depends on your relationship with your wrestler. If you feel it is heading south or that you are uncomfortable it is time to get out. With my oldest it happened when he was 11, with my middle one he NEVER wanted me in the corner, and my youngest still wants me there at 10. Pay attention to how he is reacting to you before, during, and after the match.

Some great advice!! Too often, parents think they're entitled to be in the corner of their kid. And as Will suggested, often times they are not the best "coach" in the corner!

I urge all parents, to find a coach your kid will listen to, and have them in the corner. That way, parents can be the support system they should be.

Also as Will discussed ... we often get the misconception that "coaching" is done matside. I am among those who think we place far too much emphasis there, instead of the practice room!

I think we got a little off track. I think i understand what Grizzlymom is saying. The problem is not that you are trying better yourself, Thats fine in anyones eyes. the problem is registering with one club and practicing and wrestling for another.
At Rossville we dont charge you to join our club,you just have to pay for your U S A card. So Yes Grizzlymom its not right to register with your club and wrestle with another. Yes go to others to better yourself but you still need to practic with ,and wrestle for the team your registered under, Otherwise why have clubs? If your not proud of where your from and/or who your registered with why register with them?

A majority go for practice partners, additional instruction, advanced training, etc.

We go to a majority of practices at another club! It is out of no disrespect to the club we signed up with it is for our son to remain competitive.

I think that you should be able to practice where you want when you want! It is just a kids sport. Honestly, to me, you shouldn't even have to belong to a club unless you want to. Buy a USA Card and pay or help out the clubs where you practice and go to the tournaments you want to go to and not worry about everyone else. If you want to help put your club on the map by scoring some points at state then make sure you are registered there for subs. What is the downside to the club if they have wrestlers practicing elsewhere? The less political you make your club the better off you and your wrestlers will be. The statements of "ownership" are down right ridiculous.

The less political you make your club the better off you and your wrestlers will be. The statements of "ownership" are down right ridiculous. [/quote] Well said