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Post by warriorsfsc on Nov 12, 2014 5:10:43 GMT
I'm starting this thread off of something Coach Smith said in another thread about recruiting more kids. What are some things we need to be doing to get kids to give the sport a try? What do you guys feel is keeping more kids from trying the sport? What are our obstacles? I've read different things on other sites but would love to hear what other coaches (or fans and parents) feel we need to be doing or what our biggest obstacles are.
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Post by mlbruem on Nov 12, 2014 16:24:43 GMT
P E Classes in the grade schools. Sport needs to presented in a fun for kids manner. Show the moves,stadigy and positions to kids in an entertaining way. Short session each year
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Post by tigerstyle on Nov 16, 2014 10:23:51 GMT
Coach Ken Simmons from Richmond used to incorporate a type of Sumo Wrestling into middle school PE class. The challenge and competitive nature of the sport got a lot of kids interested in going out for wrestling.
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Post by mlbruem on Nov 16, 2014 19:49:37 GMT
What about changing the uniform to something more current?
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Post by jdwxv3 on Nov 18, 2014 5:14:50 GMT
I have heard a few kids say they won't wrestle bc of singlets. A few teams are switching to a short/shirt combos that look good.
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leftyheadlocksallday
Rookie
"It doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's if you beat the spread." -Charlie Sheen
Posts: 13 
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Post by leftyheadlocksallday on Nov 18, 2014 18:21:45 GMT
I have heard a few kids say they won't wrestle bc of singlets. A few teams are switching to a short/shirt combos that look good. For the most part, the shirt/ shorts combo doesn't look good. |
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Post by warriorsfsc on Nov 19, 2014 4:07:09 GMT
Agree on the PE classes in grade school or at least Middle School being helpful. Main obstacle there is having a teacher at those levels with a wrestling background. On that same level I think it would be a huge help if more schools had a middle school wrestling program. We were lucky enough to start one last year and it has already proven huge for our program. This year we have about four times the freshmen come out than in previous years. Some of them didn't even wrestle in the program last year at the middle school level but they were "exposed" to it and I think that alone had a huge impact. I just wish more of the STL metro area schools had middle school programs.
As far as the singlet issue. A few years ago I would have said this was not a major issue as I think that's just ridiculous but after a few years of trying to recruit h.s. kids who had never really been exposed to the sport...I will definitely admit that the singlet issue is a major reason kids at least give for not wanting to wrestle. I'm not sure the spandex alternative a few years ago was much better but I think if you went with some sort of fight shorts with a form fitting under armour type shirt would turn the "uniform" issue around...or at least make it a non obstacle. I'm not sure what the "downside" would be to make the switch or give schools the option. I would guess the NHFS would say it's a safety issue but how often have you seen kids get injured in wrestling practice from shorts and t-shirts? I can't recall one serious injury and I've been involved in the sport for over 35 years.
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