Sunday, June 6, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
How Old Should my Boy Be to Start Wrestling?
This is a question I get all the time and one that is really quite important.
I have seen 4 year olds that are ready to begin wrestling and I have seen 5 year olds that are not. I would say as a general rule of thumb, 5 years old is a good age to begin.
An important factor in the decision, though, is how much does the boy seek or avoid physical contact with others? Many times in a family where there are two young brothers relatively close in age, they are wrestling and tumbling with each other around the house as soon as they are old enough to walk. These are usually the boys that are ready to join a wrestling program at a younger age. Some families that have only one child, or maybe have mostly girls might have a boy who is not used to physical contact. He might require the added maturity of another year or two before he's ready.
In the IKWF, there are a couple of years that are more difficult than others. those years are 9 and 11. The difference between 8-U and 9-10 is pretty substantial. The 8-U group might have a few tough or experienced kids here and there, but for the most part it's made up of beginners. The 9-10 group has some beginners, but I would say the VAST majority of kids in this age group have over 2-3 years of experience. Some even have 4-5 years of experience. Imagine a beginning 9 year old facing a 10 year old who has to face a 10 year old who has been wrestling since he was 6. That's a tough task.
The only bigger change that that is the change to the 11-12 year old age group where some of the 12 year olds are attending wrestling schools in addition to their local clubs and some are even lifting weights. Once again, for a beginner 11 year old to face a 12 year old with 6 or 7 years of experience who is physically dominant as well, can be a disturbing experience for a kid - especially if he's used to being the best football or baseball player on his team. Being a good athlete is good enough at age 8 or 9, but by middle school, the experienced wrestlers almost always dominate even the best athletes who are just beginning the sport.
So - the best time to begin wrestling is 5 or 6 years old. If your kid is 7 or 8, that's a good age too. If he's 9 or 11, keep in mind that he will be having limited success for his first year and he might be best off trying an off-season club first.
I have seen 4 year olds that are ready to begin wrestling and I have seen 5 year olds that are not. I would say as a general rule of thumb, 5 years old is a good age to begin.
An important factor in the decision, though, is how much does the boy seek or avoid physical contact with others? Many times in a family where there are two young brothers relatively close in age, they are wrestling and tumbling with each other around the house as soon as they are old enough to walk. These are usually the boys that are ready to join a wrestling program at a younger age. Some families that have only one child, or maybe have mostly girls might have a boy who is not used to physical contact. He might require the added maturity of another year or two before he's ready.
In the IKWF, there are a couple of years that are more difficult than others. those years are 9 and 11. The difference between 8-U and 9-10 is pretty substantial. The 8-U group might have a few tough or experienced kids here and there, but for the most part it's made up of beginners. The 9-10 group has some beginners, but I would say the VAST majority of kids in this age group have over 2-3 years of experience. Some even have 4-5 years of experience. Imagine a beginning 9 year old facing a 10 year old who has to face a 10 year old who has been wrestling since he was 6. That's a tough task.
The only bigger change that that is the change to the 11-12 year old age group where some of the 12 year olds are attending wrestling schools in addition to their local clubs and some are even lifting weights. Once again, for a beginner 11 year old to face a 12 year old with 6 or 7 years of experience who is physically dominant as well, can be a disturbing experience for a kid - especially if he's used to being the best football or baseball player on his team. Being a good athlete is good enough at age 8 or 9, but by middle school, the experienced wrestlers almost always dominate even the best athletes who are just beginning the sport.
So - the best time to begin wrestling is 5 or 6 years old. If your kid is 7 or 8, that's a good age too. If he's 9 or 11, keep in mind that he will be having limited success for his first year and he might be best off trying an off-season club first.
Barrington Folkstyle Tournament
Today at the Barrington folkstyle tournament, Lenny took first beating the 2010 Greco State 85 lb. runner up 6-0 in the finals. Michael wrestled in the Freshman / Sophomore division against 3 high school varsity wrestlers. He won 1 match 6-5 and lost the other two by scores of 5-1 and 5-2. I couldn't be prouder of both of them.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Trevian Freestyle Clubs Cup
Today we're at New Trier High School for a unique event - a HS Freestyle dual tournament. 8 teams from the area - including one from Wisconsin. Michael won two wrestle-offs to make the varsity team as the 103 lber.
It's kind of fun to see him out there with the high schoolers.
Sent via BlackBerry - please excuse brevity.
It's kind of fun to see him out there with the high schoolers.
Sent via BlackBerry - please excuse brevity.
Friday, April 16, 2010
AAU Elementary School Duals
Photos from this past weekend's Elementary School Duals.
The AAU Elementary school duals are a great experience and I recommend them to anyone that has the opportunity to participate. Our team - Inferno - was made up of kids (mostly 5th graders) from the following clubs:
St Charles North
Force
Lincoln Way W.C.
Martinez Elite
Bolingbrook
Wolves W.C.
Lyons W.C.
Villa Park W.C.
Arlington Cardinals
Falcon W.C.
Lincoln W.C.
Hinsdale W.C.
Mahomet W.C.
Downers Cougars
O.F.A
Truly an "all star" team.
We left Plainfield at about 6:00 PM and after a tourturous drive through the mountains, arrived at Kingsport at about 6AM. Weigh ins and lunch, followed by a little sleep, then came the wrestling!
Our first series of matches was in the "pool competition". We were in Pool 'A' along with the following teams:
Georgia Black
Indy Gold
Iowa Gold
Michigan Myway
Pennsylvania Blue
Tennessee
We wrestled Iowa Gold at 7:15 and Michigan Myway at 8:30 on Friday night to get a good start on the pool. We won them both.
Next, on Saturday morning, we lost to PA Blue at 10:15, beat Tennessee at 11:45, beat Georgia Black at 2:15, and lost a squeaker to Indy Gold at 4:00. This was good enough to get us into the GOLD bracket where we wrestled Iowa Black at 8:45. These guys were tremendously good, and beat us 61-12.
That put us in the consolation bracket of the Gold bracket where we wrestled Indy Gold again on Sunday morning. Unfortunately, they beat us in a squeaker AGAIN.
We were able to pound on the Indiana Brawlers in the 7th place match.
Inferno Schedule
Illinois Inferno is in Pool A with:
Georgia Black
Indy Gold
Iowa Gold
Mich. MYWAY
Penn. Blue
Tennessee
We wrestle two matches tonight. 7:15 vs Iowa and 8:30 vs Mich.
Go Illinois Inferno! Also - good luck to our friends on Illinois North Stars in pool C.
Sent via BlackBerry - please excuse brevity.
Georgia Black
Indy Gold
Iowa Gold
Mich. MYWAY
Penn. Blue
Tennessee
We wrestle two matches tonight. 7:15 vs Iowa and 8:30 vs Mich.
Go Illinois Inferno! Also - good luck to our friends on Illinois North Stars in pool C.
Sent via BlackBerry - please excuse brevity.
In Kingsport
Waiting in the lobby of the hotel to head over to weigh ins... Kids look great in their uniforms. The coach is optimistic about our chances - thinks we have a great team.
Last night we drove through the mountains of KY and VA. Crazy! Arrived here at 6 AM.
Sent via BlackBerry - please excuse brevity.
Last night we drove through the mountains of KY and VA. Crazy! Arrived here at 6 AM.
Sent via BlackBerry - please excuse brevity.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Kingsport
21 boys will represent Illinois at the AAU Elementary Duals in Kingsport TN this weekend. Lenny will be the starter at 80 lbs.
The tournament is for teams from each state made up of wrestlers 5th grade and below.
We are leaving Friday after school, driving to Kingsport (11 hours) and arriving at about 3AM. A little sleep, a team weigh-in and warmup, followed by wrestling Friday night, Saturday all day,and Sunday morning.
The tournament is for teams from each state made up of wrestlers 5th grade and below.
We are leaving Friday after school, driving to Kingsport (11 hours) and arriving at about 3AM. A little sleep, a team weigh-in and warmup, followed by wrestling Friday night, Saturday all day,and Sunday morning.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Gomez Greco Tournament
So, as expected, we went to the Gomez Greco-Roman tournament, and as expected, there was a somewhat light turnout. But - all you need is one good opponent to make your day worthwhile. Michael got it in the very first round. He defeated an Overtime kid who took second in Folkstyle state - senior division. Turned him to his back at the last second to secure the win. Clutch performance. He went on to win his other match also. Lenny won both his matches against mediocre opponents.
Another highlight of the event was Hector S. competing in his very first Greco tournament. He had the good fortune of wrestling the IKWF Folkstyle state champion three times. In his first two matches he lost by tech fall both times and didn't even manage to score a point, but in his third match, he was actually leading at one point by getting a push-out and a throw. On the way out the door, he said "I think I might like to try this again". One of the ways you can win in wrestling with out actually winning the match.
Another highlight of the event was Hector S. competing in his very first Greco tournament. He had the good fortune of wrestling the IKWF Folkstyle state champion three times. In his first two matches he lost by tech fall both times and didn't even manage to score a point, but in his third match, he was actually leading at one point by getting a push-out and a throw. On the way out the door, he said "I think I might like to try this again". One of the ways you can win in wrestling with out actually winning the match.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tournaments April 9, 10, 11
This weekend there are a variety of tournaments to choose from.
We will be going to a folkstyle practice on Friday night, and most likely will be going to Gomez Greco on Saturday.
Friday, April 9 - Greco Roman Developmental - Antioch High School
Saturday, April 10 - Freestyle Developmental - Antioch High School
Saturday, April 10 - Freestyle Developmental - Elmhurst College
Saturday, April 10 - Greco Roman Developmental - Gomez WA
Saturday, April 10 - Folkstyle Open - Harlem High School
Sunday, April 11 - Freestyle Developmental - Gomez WA
Sunday, April 11 - Freestyle Developmental - Lyons Township High School
Sunday, April 11 - Folkstyle Open - Glenbrook South High School
Sunday, April 11 - Folkstyle Open Mundelein High School
Sunday, April 11 - Antioch High School
We will be going to a folkstyle practice on Friday night, and most likely will be going to Gomez Greco on Saturday.
Friday, April 9 - Greco Roman Developmental - Antioch High School
Saturday, April 10 - Freestyle Developmental - Antioch High School
Saturday, April 10 - Freestyle Developmental - Elmhurst College
Saturday, April 10 - Greco Roman Developmental - Gomez WA
Saturday, April 10 - Folkstyle Open - Harlem High School
Sunday, April 11 - Freestyle Developmental - Gomez WA
Sunday, April 11 - Freestyle Developmental - Lyons Township High School
Sunday, April 11 - Folkstyle Open - Glenbrook South High School
Sunday, April 11 - Folkstyle Open Mundelein High School
Sunday, April 11 - Antioch High School
Monday, April 5, 2010
More Thoughts on Cedar Falls
Here is what I remember from the matches at Cedar Falls.
First about Michael...
Michael had to wrestle a preliminary round match against a boy from Missouri - Max Darrah. Max was in Michael's bracket at Winter Nationals and did not place, where Michael took 5th, so we felt pretty good about that match - that Michael had a chance to win it. Which he did. I don't remember the details, but I think he got a takedown and an escape against Max's escape to win 3-1. In the second round, Michael went up against the Wisconsin state champion at 105 lbs - Tony Britton. Michael started with a 1 point lead, because Tony forgot to tape his shoes. Tony gets a takedown 5 seconds into the match and rides Michael out for the whole first period. In the second period, Tony chooses neutral and can't get a takedown, but gets warned for stalling. Two stalling calls in the third period where Michael chose bottom give Michael the 3-2 victory - his third over a state champion this year. Michael later commmented that "we're in the big-boy's side of the bracket now". He was right. His next two opponents were much stronger and bigger than him. He ended the tournament with a 2-2 record.
Now about Lenny...
Lenny was lucky enough to get a bye in the first round and punished his second round opponent 17-0. He didn't wrestle very well his third round and lost 6-2 to Trevar Bigelow from Kearney, Ne. Trevar ended up taking 5th. Next, Lenny had a very exciting match. He was facing David San Miguel - the California state champion. Lenny gave up an early takedown in the first period. He started the second period on the bottom and couldn't escape - and, in fact, got turned for 3 points in a cradle. Down 5-0. Then, David performed an illegal move resulting in a 1 point penalty.. 5-1. The third period started with the wrestlers on their feet and David got in deep on a shot with his head to the outside where he neck-wrenched David to his back for a 5 point move - nearly pinning him - and a 6-5 victory. Lenny thought he was done for the night, and left to change his clothes. About 5 minutes later they called him to the mat to wrestle Chase Englebrecht - state qualifier at 74 pounds from Illinois. In fact, Chase is from Dakota, IL. The same IKWF Section as Lenny. Lenny handled Chase easily winning 4-1 and advancing to the second day. Lenny got to participate in the "grand march", but lost his first match 4-0 ending his tournament with a 3-2 record.
First about Michael...
Michael had to wrestle a preliminary round match against a boy from Missouri - Max Darrah. Max was in Michael's bracket at Winter Nationals and did not place, where Michael took 5th, so we felt pretty good about that match - that Michael had a chance to win it. Which he did. I don't remember the details, but I think he got a takedown and an escape against Max's escape to win 3-1. In the second round, Michael went up against the Wisconsin state champion at 105 lbs - Tony Britton. Michael started with a 1 point lead, because Tony forgot to tape his shoes. Tony gets a takedown 5 seconds into the match and rides Michael out for the whole first period. In the second period, Tony chooses neutral and can't get a takedown, but gets warned for stalling. Two stalling calls in the third period where Michael chose bottom give Michael the 3-2 victory - his third over a state champion this year. Michael later commmented that "we're in the big-boy's side of the bracket now". He was right. His next two opponents were much stronger and bigger than him. He ended the tournament with a 2-2 record.
Now about Lenny...
Lenny was lucky enough to get a bye in the first round and punished his second round opponent 17-0. He didn't wrestle very well his third round and lost 6-2 to Trevar Bigelow from Kearney, Ne. Trevar ended up taking 5th. Next, Lenny had a very exciting match. He was facing David San Miguel - the California state champion. Lenny gave up an early takedown in the first period. He started the second period on the bottom and couldn't escape - and, in fact, got turned for 3 points in a cradle. Down 5-0. Then, David performed an illegal move resulting in a 1 point penalty.. 5-1. The third period started with the wrestlers on their feet and David got in deep on a shot with his head to the outside where he neck-wrenched David to his back for a 5 point move - nearly pinning him - and a 6-5 victory. Lenny thought he was done for the night, and left to change his clothes. About 5 minutes later they called him to the mat to wrestle Chase Englebrecht - state qualifier at 74 pounds from Illinois. In fact, Chase is from Dakota, IL. The same IKWF Section as Lenny. Lenny handled Chase easily winning 4-1 and advancing to the second day. Lenny got to participate in the "grand march", but lost his first match 4-0 ending his tournament with a 3-2 record.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
USAW Folkstyle Nationals
I think that the USAW Folkstyle Nationals is one of the best tournaments there is.
University of Northern Iowa UNI-Dome. 25 full sized mats. 1200 wrestlers. And that's just the kids levels!
This was our third year attending this tournament and we had high hopes. Unfortunately, Neither Michael or Lenny was able to place in the tournament and claim All-American status.
University of Northern Iowa UNI-Dome. 25 full sized mats. 1200 wrestlers. And that's just the kids levels!
This was our third year attending this tournament and we had high hopes. Unfortunately, Neither Michael or Lenny was able to place in the tournament and claim All-American status.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Long, long day
Michael is done after going 2-2. Lenny is advancing to day 2 after a bye and winning 1 match in the winner's bracket and 2 matches in the wrestlebacks. Grand march tomorrow at 8:30 AM.
Sent from myblackberry - please excuse brevity and spelling errors.
Sent from myblackberry - please excuse brevity and spelling errors.
Usaw nationals
So far, Michael has won his first two matches - including a 3-2 victory over the Wisconsin state champion. Lenny won his first match 17-0.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Purple Pummel
Michael and Lenny competed in the Purple Pummel for the 4th time on Saturday.
As is usually the case at this event, the weight distributions in the weight classes is huge. Michael ended up with Casey in his bracket and they battled to a 2-1 triple overtime victory for Michael.
Michael also won his other two matches to win the PP for the third time. The other kids in his bracket were Nick McDunough from Island Lake and some kid from Wisconsin.
Lenny was the lightest one in his bracket and battled Jacob Hawkins in the last match of the day. Jacob was a state place winner at Novice 84 this year. Lenny gave up a takedown and a reversal to lose 4-2. He took second place in the event.
The tournament was run smoothly and quickly. The kids got to wrestle on full mats - which is really nice, but the periods were only 1 minute long. It's a lot better when they have longer periods.
Other friends that participated in Whitewater were:
Britches and Michael Sikula - 5th and 4th
Casey Callahan - 3rd
Ian Mullen - 2nd
Taylor Seibert - 3rd
Brendan Marchese - 5th
As is usually the case at this event, the weight distributions in the weight classes is huge. Michael ended up with Casey in his bracket and they battled to a 2-1 triple overtime victory for Michael.
Michael also won his other two matches to win the PP for the third time. The other kids in his bracket were Nick McDunough from Island Lake and some kid from Wisconsin.
Lenny was the lightest one in his bracket and battled Jacob Hawkins in the last match of the day. Jacob was a state place winner at Novice 84 this year. Lenny gave up a takedown and a reversal to lose 4-2. He took second place in the event.
The tournament was run smoothly and quickly. The kids got to wrestle on full mats - which is really nice, but the periods were only 1 minute long. It's a lot better when they have longer periods.
Other friends that participated in Whitewater were:
Britches and Michael Sikula - 5th and 4th
Casey Callahan - 3rd
Ian Mullen - 2nd
Taylor Seibert - 3rd
Brendan Marchese - 5th
Saturday, March 27, 2010
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