i agree with sportsfan about time, but as smokeycabin said, the competition might hamper progression.

either way i see it, if you win a couple of novice tournaments it's time to step up.

those "novice" mistakes, wouldn't he have made those in an open bracket too. not trying to start a big debate here.

when a parent asks me i tell them "general rule"/ what we TRY to stick to is, two years/ two first place finishes, then wrestle open.

we have run into the same problem, a 6u has wrestled for 3 years now, (i know, i know), he can't place in a true open, yet always gets 1st at novice tourneys. we told his mom, that our stance as a club, was to protect the reputation of the club, and that he would have to wrestle open.