My youngest son (7) is interested in starting wrestling and I was thinking of taking him to Ohio State's father/son camp this summer. I don't really like youth programs due to the unhealthy emphasis on winning and the crazy a** parents. My older son (12) started at Ready with Nicola (great coach who I know and respect) when he was 7, but he took beatings due to having to wrestle kids 2-3 years older because of his size and weight and it soured him on wrestling. I have continued to try and get him back into it, especially since he plans to play football, but he shows no interest. My younger son isn't as big, so i don't think he'll have the same experience, but I am looking for suggestions as to where to go and what to try with him. We live in Groveport, but I have no problem taking him where ever. Thanks!

Watkins has a great youth program for beginners. Kevin Duck runs it. The youngest age group focuses on basics and having fun. There are opportunities to compete, but they aren't stressed. The numbers are pretty high, so your kid will have a lot of different drill partners. It starts in the fall. Bring a friend.

If you don't mind the drive, in the fall, I would check out Darby / Bradley combined youth program. Very much designed around learning the sport vs. win at all costs. Tons of kids, so there is no problem finding partners of the same age/size/experience.

If I were in Groveport I'd ask the Groveport HC for some advice.

I teach a wrestling class on Monday Wednesday and Sunday at Triumph Bjj in Dublin. I focus on teaching kids move in relationship to opponent. That being said I first strive to make sure they enjoy the sport as fun. Young children develop at different rates so its more important that a child learns to love wrestling first if they are going to have any longevity and success in it.
Feel free to pm me if you want more info.

Gardens35;1399490 wrote:If I were in Groveport I'd ask the Groveport HC for some advice.

:eek:

I'm taking my 10 year old to the father-son camp at OSU this summer...looking forward to it!

I highly recommend the father/son camp. If I don't choose a camping trip, I might be signing up as well.

The biggest thing is remembering that my kid is not me. He will have his own passions. If his align with mine, that would be awesome!!! But, if not, no big deal. I will do my best to provide opportunities for him fuel and fulfill his passion.

It is what it is: I can tell you first and foremost that if you are looking to join something already established, there are plenty of opportunities around the Port. If you are willing to be a part of the vehicle of change, there, too, are possibilities! But for that one, in Groveport!!!

As coaches, we have a difficult time heading up a Little Cruisers Program. We (my brother and I) did it for 3 years, and then I couldn't continue. My second child (and living outside the district) made it next to impossible. He tried for another 7 or 8 years, but having a kid of his own recently made it very difficult for him.

It takes anywhere from 3 to 5 motivated people who want to create a positive environment for kids in grades 2nd or 3rd through 6th grade, who have a willingness to teach a handful of techniques, and offer a few opportunities for competition. We can work together but we cannot lead it. We are also willing to run a home tournament!

Any successful high school program will tell you how important excellent assistant coaches, junior high coaches, and a strong feeder program is/are.

All in all, best of luck to you and your boy. The sport is an excellent tool in teaching some of the best life lessons out there.

Biggest advice if he likes wrestling...Hold him back and make sure he is old for his class...

Gardens35;1399490 wrote:If I were in Groveport I'd ask the Groveport HC for some advice.

Lol, no kidding! I did and the day and time of their youth program conflicted with my coaching, so it never came to fruition. Since I teach and coach, something later in the evening or on Sunday is necessary. But thanks for your input! :rolleyes:

knightflyer150;1399502 wrote:I'm taking my 10 year old to the father-son camp at OSU this summer...looking forward to it!

I'll look for you there! :thumbup:

Typically, its the parents who put all emphasis on winning in youth wrestling. The coaches are usually fairly level headed. At the youth level its about having fun and learning to love the sport & the valuable lessons it can teach. Keep that in mind & keep emphasizing that to your son, and you should be fine in whatever program you choose.

You should find somebody who knows more wrestling than all the head coaches combined who is running a practice in a basement some where. There seems like a lot of secrets are given away downstairs!

Coach Ramirez;1400199 wrote:You should find somebody who knows more wrestling than all the head coaches combined who is running a practice in a basement some where. There seems like a lot of secrets are given away downstairs!

Coach Ramirez;1400199 wrote:You should find somebody who knows more wrestling than all the head coaches combined who is running a practice in a basement some where. There seems like a lot of secrets are given away downstairs!

Haha!

As a father of 2, I started my first son in Pre-K, no competitions, just practice to get him rolling around. He is now 10, had to take some time off due to a vacation injury, but he still loves it and is getting back into the swing of things. My 6 y/o did his first year this season. Had fun, had a great attitude towards everything. I'm not concerned about wins/losses, just having fun. I'm a coach at the middle school level so my kids come to practice often and like to play with the other wrestlers. I just want my boys exposed to the sport... I had a conversation with one of my former coaches and I agree with his view. Which is pretty much, if they want to do it, let them. I won't start taking it serious until they get to be in 5th/6th grade.

We are planning on going to a camp this summer. I was thinking about the father/son camp to. It is hard finding a camp or open mats for the younger kids that want to just roll around.

Coach Ramirez;1400199 wrote:You should find somebody who knows more wrestling than all the head coaches combined who is running a practice in a basement some where. There seems like a lot of secrets are given away downstairs!

Maybe CC can run a practice from 7-8pm.

It is what it is;1399924 wrote:Lol, no kidding! I did and the day and time of their youth program conflicted with my coaching, so it never came to fruition. Since I teach and coach, something later in the evening or on Sunday is necessary. But thanks for your input! :rolleyes:

I read the "I'm looking for suggestions" part, but must of missed the part about already asking the Groveport coach.

Regarding Camps, Competition, and Open Mats ...

I've heard the OSU Father/Son camp is good .. it's not an intense "competitive" camp with lots of live wrestling, etc. Personally, I might think about a season in a local youth program before spending the time and money on a "camp" where you are on the mat many hours a day. Might be too much for an "introduction" to the sport.

Don't worry about competing for a couple years unless he wants to. I fell victim to the mentality that little Johnny needs to "catch up," qualify for the state, blah blah blah, because all these other kids are. A FEW kids who are wrestling 50 - 75 matches a year in grade school become State Champs in HS. But LOTS are out of the sport before HS. Let the kid decide how much is enough. A few years ago I had to back off, and that was the right decision!

Open Mats: Seems like lots of "open mats" are really structured, competitive, live sessions. If you go to an open mat, bring a partner that wants to work at the same level you want to work, and do what you want to do. If that's drilling takedowns, or working on half-nelsons, or whatever, pick a corner of the room and do that. It's "open." You don't have to go full-go live just because most others are.

Best of luck!

Blast82.5;1400350 wrote:Regarding Camps, Competition, and Open Mats ...

I've heard the OSU Father/Son camp is good .. it's not an intense "competitive" camp with lots of live wrestling, etc. Personally, I might think about a season in a local youth program before spending the time and money on a "camp" where you are on the mat many hours a day. Might be too much for an "introduction" to the sport.

Don't worry about competing for a couple years unless he wants to. I fell victim to the mentality that little Johnny needs to "catch up," qualify for the state, blah blah blah, because all these other kids are. A FEW kids who are wrestling 50 - 75 matches a year in grade school become State Champs in HS. But LOTS are out of the sport before HS. Let the kid decide how much is enough. A few years ago I had to back off, and that was the right decision!

Open Mats: Seems like lots of "open mats" are really structured, competitive, live sessions. If you go to an open mat, bring a partner that wants to work at the same level you want to work, and do what you want to do. If that's drilling takedowns, or working on half-nelsons, or whatever, pick a corner of the room and do that. It's "open." You don't have to go full-go live just because most others are.

Best of luck!

I had my youngest at CC (Ramirez is great and consider him a friend!) doing a little as an introduction while I was coaching there, but have since left for another opportunity. He seems eager to wrestle, but I don't want him to have a bad experience like my oldest son. I, and my wife , also don't want to push either of them to "be like dad" and eat/drink/sleep sports!

Think we will try the father/son camp and see where that leads. Thanks for all of the suggestions! :thumbup:

Gardens35;1400337 wrote:I read the "I'm looking for suggestions" part, but must of missed the part about already asking the Groveport coach.

I didn't mention it, was just looking for thoughts/ideas. My post wasn't in response to your comment, but rather MPhillips reaction. Thanks for your comments! :thumbup:

It is what it is;1400629 wrote: My post wasn't in response to your comment, but rather MPhillips reaction.

Then you lost us both? :huh: