I have a 9 year old that has refused to shake the winning wrestlers hand until forced by the ref. I have talked to him until I was blue in the face, but my wife came to the rescue one Saturday. She made HIM go to the scoring table and forfeit his reaming matches. He was also forfeited from another tournament after that, both of these tournaments he would have placed at. Since those tournaments he still gets upset, but controls his actions on the mat, I know emotions run high and everyone wants to win, but that's not always possible. At this young age I keep emphasizing good sportsmanship until he learns how to handle it. Maybe forfeiting a couple of tournaments along the way might be incentive enough.


Bruce Woodruff