I really think that the wisdom of those that have been around the sport for many years is correct in their thinking that 6 year olds are NOT ready to take on the rigors/pressure in state qualifying series. It simply should be a beginner/rec program to familiarize them to the sport. Fun and learning basics and NOT winning should be emphasized.

There is nothing that states that because they pay $35 that they are entitled to the State Tournament. Let them learn and it will be there when they are 7 & 8 ...I don't at all feel that the 6 year olds should be pushed away from the sport but it is so much more beneficial to just relax and let them have fun and do novice tourneys on Sundays and a only a few Saturday tourneys during the season. He/She will learn to like the sport and want to do better/learn on their own. I started at age 10-11 and lost probably 17 of my 19 matches my first year in the sport and most by pinfall. But by my third year age 12-13 I had qualified for Kids State because I liked to compete and the fact that it was a personal sport against someone my own size and kids know on their own what it feels like to have or NOT have your hand raised without an adult pressuring them so I worked to get better and placed by year 4 and my kids career ended with me winning Kids State my last two years in 16 & U division and then went on to make the HS State Finals. I had very little parental support throughout but pushed myself and worked to accomplish my goals.

I will admit that selfishly when my Son came along I wanted
"my boy" to be like Dad and prolly pushed harder than necessary
when he first started perhaps 1) because my parents weren't there for me and 2) I wanted him to be a stud at age 6 (STUPID !). Thankfully, He still competes and I don't even coach him usually and just always offer up encouragement and if I put any emphasis on him now it is that he have fun and make friends and ...guess what ?
He is like his Dad in that he is doing well and wanting to get better on his own and I thank God in that I've grown as a coach and parent and am not so narrow minded as not to listen to the wisdom of those who have went before me and know what is BEST and that have posted to this effect on this forum. I was that way as wrestler also-I listened twice as hard to coaching and soaked it up like a sponge.

Sorry to rant about myself, ..but I am willing to put myself and my personal experience out there if I honestly feel it can help others and appreciate so much to be able to give back a little of what this sport and many coaches/ teammates parents have done for me. Am I passionate about this sport ? YOU BET !!

I guess what I am mostly trying to say is that- to 1)those new to this sport or even to 2)prideful ol' wrestler knuckle head Dads --to just PLEASE, RELAX--let them have fun as they start out in this great sport because kids are smarter than we think and they naturally want to do well and please us and I adamently feel that this particular sport which pits man vs man and involves the raising of the hand will help your young man immensely if they continue in it. ..It did me !!
signed,...from the heart