It is a constantly debated subject regarding 6 and under state and the like. I am curious about when other clubs start their seasons and their tournament schedules.

It is of note because 6 & unders are the highest number of kids, and it declines with each age category after that. My position regarding youth sports(wrestling included) should be to foster a love of the sport and teach some basic technique. The goal being to have a kids stay out for the sport through high school.

In other words, the trend of declining involvement as the kids get older is not meeting the goal of youth sports. Ideally, those numbers should grow each age class, with more 12 & unders and less 6 & unders.

Speaking for our club, kids start wrestle, a year or two and quite. We then do not have very many kids in the older age classes moving into the Jr. High and High School program.

There are several factors that contribute to this. Of course, it is impossible to keep every kid out. First, recalling last season's tournament schedule the youth season is longer than the high school season. For kids, 6,8, 10, and even 12 years old that is a long season.

Second, no kid and most adults do not want to give up every Saturday for 3-4 months. The parents have to like it as much as the kids. These tournaments are not exactly the most fun for parents, especially if they are long and your kid only has a couple of matches.

We do not force kids to go to tournaments, but it is like an arms race, the other kids are going so we should too. Nobody wants to miss or start later, because the competition is already going at it.

What can be done? Why do we not have any regulation on the start of our season? High School sports have dates, some youth sports do. Keep the season at two or three months. The young kids start to grow weary, I noticed this at the State tournament, when some of the better wresters just looked flat. This would relieve the issue of the competition getting a leg up by starting earlier.

Utilizing weeknight duels to get matches, instead of wrestling tournaments every weekend.
This would help sell the parents on the sport, and give the kids some concept of the team side of the sport that they will be exposed to in High School and beyond.

These are only a couple of ideas to increase the interest. I think each coach and program need to keep it interesting through their practice regime. Also, taking the kids to High School and College events. Mere exposure will generate interest.

I expect these ideas will not be popular, but felt that I must express them.