Youth Inc. Recommends: Five Essential Resources for New Wrestlers and their Parents
Wrestling is a sport rooted in technique and psychology, making it complicated and sometimes intimidating to enter. However, with the right basic knowledge of the tools and fundamentals of wrestling moves, along with a healthy psychological approach to the sport among both the young wrestlers and their parents, falling in love with the sport and excelling are quite possible.
Here are five sources that teach the introductory-level moves and techniques of wrestling, along with tips on building a productive mindset for both parents and wrestlers when starting out in the sport.
10 coaching fundamentals to help all young wrestlers
What it is: A list focusing on the bare-bones basics of wrestling. The list mainly focuses on moves in a match while covering the psychology a wrestler must carry in both matches and practice.
Why we like it: For a new wrestler, this can be seen as an all-encompassing source for the fundamentals of wrestling. Tips on the list are often in conversation with each other, allowing techniques and pointers to build off one another, creating a greater depth of knowledge about how wrestling works.
6 Ways to Get Your Kid to Love Wrestling
What it is: This is an informational list geared towards parents that touches on healthy and productive ways to introduce a child to wrestling and help them fall in love with the sport.
Why we like it: This article eliminates the negative aspects of wrestling's pressure and negative self-talk and focuses on positive wrestling experiences to help the new wrestler build passion and find their favorite parts of the sport.
So Your Kid Joined Wrestling – Now What? 10 Must-Know Tips for New Wrestling Parents!
What it is: A longer guide dealing with the broader fundamentals parents should cover when building positive experiences for early wrestlers.
Why we like it: Like 6 Ways to Get Your Kid to Love Wrestling, this article focuses on how parents can help mold a young wrestler's experience. This list covers more of what parents can do, including more “out-of-practice” aspects such as nutrition and conditioning, while still focusing on the wrestler's psychology.
How do I help my kid become a great Wrestler?
What it is: An experienced wrestler’s take on how to introduce kids to wrestling and eventually help them fall in love with the sport.
Why we like it: Olympic athlete and gold medalist Cael Sanderson offers his take on the most healthy way to introduce young wrestlers to the sport. He clearly has the experience and accolades to back up what he says, and it is something all parents should heavily consider when bringing their child into wrestling.
Just STARTED wrestling? WATCH THIS!
What it is: A rundown in video format about the basic moves and positions wrestlers will experience in a match, along with the basic expectations of pre-match and post-match behavior.
Why we like it: Shows a visual representation of how things will look during competition while providing detailed explanations on executing and perfecting the moves. That, along with breaking down what a wrestler should expect pre- and post-match, is a helpful tool to establish expectations for newer wrestlers.