About 8 minute read
Support the wrestler, not just the result
Youth wrestling includes victories, losses, frustration, fatigue, nerves and plenty of small bumps along the way. Help your wrestler focus on effort, learning, courage, sportsmanship and improvement rather than treating every match or live-wrestling exchange as a verdict on success.
Dan Gable is widely associated with the line, "Once you have wrestled, everything else in life is easy." Wrestling parents often adapt that thought to something that may feel just as true from the stands: "Once you have watched your kid wrestle, everything else in life is easy."
Watching your child step onto the mat alone can be exciting, stressful and emotional. One of the best things a parent can do is remain a calm, positive presence while allowing the wrestler to compete, learn and grow.
Let coaches coach
During regular practice, parents and other spectators watch from the designated viewing areas rather than remaining in the wrestling rooms. This helps wrestlers focus on instruction and learn to work through manageable challenges with their coaches.
It also keeps the room quieter while coaches are teaching technique or discussing mindset. Multiple conversations around the edge of the room can make it difficult for wrestlers to hear and for coaches to maintain a focused training environment.
Be aware of your reaction
Young wrestlers naturally look toward a parent when something hurts, goes wrong or becomes frustrating. A minor disappointment can quickly become much larger when a child sees alarm or frustration on a parent's face. Staying calm helps communicate that challenges are a normal and manageable part of learning the sport.
At tournaments
Encourage your wrestler to check in with the Jr Wildcats event coach, warm up with the team whenever practical and listen to the coach assigned to the mat. Cheer positively without trying to give competing technical instructions from the stands.
Respect officials and opponents
Officials will sometimes make calls we disagree with. Opponents and their families deserve the same respect we expect for our wrestlers. Model the behavior we want our athletes to learn.
Good questions after practice or a match
Questions such as "What did you learn?", "What did you do well?", "What do you want to work on?" and "Did you work hard?" usually create better conversations than immediately focusing on the final score.
We are one team
Jr Wildcats works because wrestlers, families, coaches and volunteers contribute to the club. Helping care for the room, supporting teammates and reinforcing good sportsmanship are all part of being a wrestling family.