: Wrestling Level Explanation

WRESTLING LEVELS EXPLAINED...

Our program is designed to have wrestlers placed in one of the three categories explained below.  The decision to place your young wrestler into one of the categories is a collaborative effort between the directors, the coaching staff, and input from the parents. 

Placing your child into a level is sometimes a difficult decision, which is why we allow the wrestlers to change levels throughout the season if needed.  Wrestling skills come quickly to some, while others find it a little more difficult.  Having an older brother or sister at home that is a constant wrestling partner during the "off season", may allow a child to have an advantage when the season starts.

Placing your child in the appropriate level is an important issue.  Our program is designed to have your child become a competitive wrestler, which means he or she should not be winning all of the matches they participate in.  Loosing a match is just as important as winning as it builds character and brings wrestlers to the realization that any wrestler, on any given day, could win or lose.  If your child is constantly winning, he or she should be moved up to the next level, even if that results in loosing at the higher level.  Likewise, if your child is loosing every match at one level, he or she should be moved down.  This "delicate balance" of placing your child in the appropriate level is also important for the wrestlers confidence and self-esteem.  Most importantly, we as directors and the coaching staff want the children to have fun!  We want them to stay interested in wrestling as they move to the Junior High Level.

Below is an explanation of the three levels or categories we place the wrestlers in:

 "C" LEVEL (NOVICE GROUP)
This level is designed for the first year wrestler who has had no previous wrestling experience.  Normally this group consists of kindergartners or first-graders.  At this level, the children are introduced to the basic wrestling skills.  Knowing that we can not keep the attention span of the children for long periods, games are usually introduced to assist in developing motor skills, getting exercise, and having fun!    The coaches and directors strongly recommend that children do not compete in tournaments at this level.  We suggest that they are taken to tournaments to watch and see how the matches work.  The "C" level wrestlers practice once a week.

"B" LEVEL (INTERMEDIATE GROUP)
This level is designed for children in second through fourth grade, even if your child has never wrestled before.  Second or third year wrestlers whose skills have progressed beyond the "C" level, are also in this group regardless of their grade level.  At this level, your young wrestler will be taught basic skills to assist them in becoming more competitive.  The wrestlers will play some games at this level (to keep the practices fun), but the practices are more structured, with more learning taking place.   It is recommended that children only compete in tournaments at this level only if they express and interest in doing so, and you as a parent or guardian feel comfortable with it.  If you child is apprehensive about competing in a tournament, we suggest that you take them to watch a tournament first, so they are not overwhelmed.  Please do not push your child into a tournament if they are not ready.  If you child only wishes to attend practice, that is perfectly fine with us.  The "B" level wrestlers practice twice per week.

"A" LEVEL (ADVANCED GROUP)
This level is designed for wrestlers who have been in the program for a few years and are ready to take wrestling practices and competition a little more seriously.  Young wrestlers who are in the 6th grade are often put into the advanced category so they can better prepare themselves for the junior high level competition.  We still want the children to have fun at this level, but wrestling is hard work, no way around it.  Normally this group consists of fourth, fifth and sixth graders.  At this level, the children often compete in "Duals" tournaments, which are simply 6+ teams getting together and competing in teams against each other.  Usually wrestlers are also competing in open tournaments at this level as well.  The "A" level wrestlers practice three times per week.

If you have any other questions or need a further explanation of these levels, please contact one of the program directors or ask a coach.