I have coached at the high school level and the kids level; I open with that statement in hopes of adding some credibility to this reply. I'd hate for all of the hard working volunteer coaches at the kids level to think that I didn't know your troubles and commitment to this sport.

I agree with Kit on this, and several other posters, that the kids season is too long for most of our wrestlers. When running the kid's club, a very well respected high school coach explained to me that it was my job to ensure all of the kids learned basic skills and enjoyed the sport. Sure, I could work on some advanced skills with the older kids, but my main purpose was to instill a love for the sport. If a wrestler learns to enjoy the hard work and commitment, then they will become a good wrestler in time. Too many times at the high school level I see good little league kids burn out before they get to me due to the long seasons, or they have learned that wrestling is just something you do because mom and dad expect it because they went to every tournament every weekend.

This post is not meant as a slight to any parent who pushes their kids to go to tournaments every weekend, but I'd like to end with one more comment from that high school coach I worked for: Kid's wrestling should be about fun, not national titles. Great athletes become great athletes because they have that intrinsic drive, the average athlete becomes great because they love their sport.