Well wrestling season is about a month away so its about that time.

Im pretty sure this question hasn't been ask before on this forum but if it has oh well. Now that I have been coaching wrestling for Abilene I've had the unique opportunity to see wrestling for a different perspective. Throughout my wrestling years I have listened to people talk about the age of wrestlers in the aspect of how young they start. My parents wouldn't let me start wrestling until I was 8 years old, but I remember wanting to wrestle 2 years before that. Later sometimes I would think back and wonder if I would have been an even better wrestler had I started earlier. I have 1 kid right now im my club that is 6 years old and almost placed at state last year, Also our head coaches son, wrestled at 2 tournaments last year and he was barely over 3 years old. I have a nephew that I wanted to start practicing with us last year becuase he is 3, but all he wanted to do is play so his mother decided to keep him out another year. My question to everyone (mainly directed at parents and coaches) is... What age do you think is a good one to start kids at? Let me give my opinion first just to start things out. I think that a kid should start wrestling when ever they are mentally ready. Often times when a kid starts too young they end up getting "burnt out" Also the stress of not winning, when it is overemphasized by parents and coaches adds to this. Im my experiance if this is going to be a kids first real athletic experiance he should be introduced to wrestling around 5 or 6 years old. He/She could practice with a club when they are 3 or 4 but really should not compete at these ages. Anyway let me know what you think,

Nigel Isom
Abilene Kids Wreslting