Let the kids learn when they're 5 and 6. Let them learn the fundamentals and decide if they really like the sport. Don't put the pressure on them that they have to win RIGHT NOW or ELSE!!! We need our sport to grow not decrease in numbers. We need these kids in the long term not the short term. We need them for that team state title or national colege title. I don't have an individual state title to my name, but I do have a team title to my name. And it still means the same today as it did 18 years ago. It was a group of teammates pulling together other than someone by themself. I have nothing against the 6 year olds. It should just stay the way it is. I have a 10 year old and a 6 year old and a 3 year old.
Everyone keeps saying there's 1500 plus 6U kids paying their dues and working their butts off all year. I bet it's 500 or less. Let them learn and if the parent thinks they can kick some *** let them wrestle at 8U. I did with my oldest. My 6 year isn't even close. Each child is different some have it early and some don't.Kids mature at different levels.
I left the sport of wrestling for a few years when I was a young kid. You guessed it I was burnt out. Because I tried to get my son to enter some of these national tournaments here at the end of the season. He told me NO!! He placed at state state. I asked him don't you want to see how you rate nationally?? I don't care was his answer. He was done with his season and satisified with what he had done for the season. Please, everyone don't burn them out.