Wrestling Parents – Do NOT Force Your Young Wrestlers to Cut Weight
This last weekend, my son attended the USJOC wrestling tournament. During weigh in, there were probably 30 kids running around the arena trying to make weight. After being involved in wrestling for a long time, I know that this is normal for a national wrestling tournament.
What I really HATE to see – I also witnessed something that is also unfortunately normal. There was a very young wrestler… maybe seven years old. He was a little guy. He might have weighed 45 pounds. He was bundled up with jogging pants, hoodie, and coat and a hat on his head. The dad was screaming at his son to “RUN!!”. The little boy ran faster, trying to please his father.
I believe parents like this are giving wrestling a bad reputation. Today, I’m going to try getting my point across about the negatives of a young wrestlers cutting weight.
Really Young Wrestlers Don’t Understand Cutting Weight
If you are one of those parents who are pushing your young wrestler to cut weight, I think you need to re-evaluate your priorities in life. I don’t think that a wrestler under 10 years old understands weight cutting. If you have to scream at a 7 year old to make weight, I have to wonder whether you as a wrestling parent are pushing your child too hard.
Increased Risk of Injuries
Weight cutting places an additional burden on growing bodies, making young wrestlers more susceptible to wrestling injuries. Bones, muscles, and joints that are still in the developmental phase are more prone to overuse injuries, fractures, and other long-term damage.
Mental and Emotional Toll
Wrestling is not merely a physical sport; it demands mental toughness as well. Introducing weight cutting at an early age may contribute to burnout and negatively impact a child’s relationship with the sport. The pressure to meet specific weight classes can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and, in extreme cases, eating disorders.
Consider Bumping Your Little Wrestler up a Weight Class
My son is now in his 10th year of wrestling. One thing I have learned is that what a wrestler does when he is young means almost nothing. This is just practice for high school wrestling. Trust me your little wrestler will not even remember most of the wrestlers names from seven years old. You might give some consideration to bumping him up a weight class so you don’t have to yell at him.
I’m not saying Cutting Weight is Always Bad
I realize that youth wrestlers cutting weight is a personal decision that a wrestling parent faces. There are times when this is ok. It really depends on the child. If the child is mature enough to lose weight then, then do so within reason. I would recommend that you plan a wrestling diet that your kid can live with. If you have to yell at your kid to watch what he eats, then it is safe to say your child is probably not mature enough to pull weight off.
If you and your Child Decide to Cut Weight
If you make the decision for your wrestler to cut weight, then here are some tips you should follow to make things easier on you and your child.
- Read my others articles on weight loss – I have written several articles on weight loss. You can see check them out at the end of this article. Look for related articles at bottom of this page.
- Buy a Good Digital Scale – If your child is going to cut weight, then buy a good digital scale. Make sure it is calibrated. Weigh your child daily and make sure he is underweight before going to a tournament.
- Consider Taking off Work – If your child is only over a small amount of weight, you will need to keep a close eye on him. This means you may have to take off work and spend the day with him. If this is the case your child should be no more than a couple of pounds overweight. Keep him busy before weigh in so that he isn’t focused on eating and drinking.
- Practice what you preach –If it’s close to weigh in and your child cannot eat or drink a couple of hours before weigh in, then neither can you! Set a good example for your child by showing him you are supporting him in his effort to make weight.
- Do Not Come to a Weigh in Over Weight – This goes back to what I said about buying the scales. Know your child’s weight a head of time. If your child is way over, you should probably consider taking the weekend off. Don’t go to a weigh in, knowing your child is overweight and make him run to make weight at the tournament.
What are your Thoughts?
I hope you enjoyed the article. As an active member of the wrestling community, my goal is to grow this wonderful sport.
Thanks for reading! And as always, feel free to post comments or questions in the comments section below, I’ll be happy to try and answer them as quickly as possible.
My nephew is on his 4th year of wrestling, he will be 10 y.o. in February. The kids does not have an ounce of fat on him but my sister and his coaches want him to drop 5lbs( 67lbs down 62lbs)., ie – no carbs and feeding the child salad, and the dreaded sauna
We grew up in a very competitive household, but isn’t this extreme for a 9/10 year old? I have two children of my own and they are older. I would have them wrestle up oppose to cutting weight. If they had pounds to give, yes – but that is not the case here.
I would appreciate a response.
A very concerned aunt
I think cutting weight at 9 is a little young. I personally would bump up a kid to the next weight class. The good news is he is is only dropping 5 pounds, which is less than 10% of his body weight. There is a correct way to drop weight and starving a kid and sauna is not the way to do it. He should focus on eating proper foods and drinking lots of water.
Their is a time to drop water weight, if necessary, but it should be done by water restriction. This basically means you still drink water, like a couple of ounces every four hours. This way your body still gets water it needs to function. Water restriction should be done 24-36 hours before a weight in.
My main concern with your nephew dropping weight, would be burnout.
I would tell your sister to find your nephew another coach he sound irresponsible. My son is 10 years old and has wrestled since he was 4. he has never cut weight and it has been my experience that kids that do cut burnout, and lets face who could blame them, wrestling is hard enough without cutting weight. on the other hand if your nephew was overweight I would say he should lose weight but not in a temp weight cutting way. the goal should be that every pound you walk in the match with is a strong usable pound not an extra pound of fat that serves no purpose. anyway find a new coach. cutting teaches avoidance of tough opponents and develops into bad behavior as the kids get older.
im 11 years old i have cut weight seens i was 5 does that make me un healthy
Bubba:
it really depends on how much weight you are cutting. If you are only 11, I would focus more on becoming a better wrestler than I would at cutting weight at 11. I wouldn’t pull more than a couple of pounds until you get to high school
Anyone considering making their child younger than HS age cut weight is a monster.
As an adult I’m still dealing with the disorders that come with being an 8 year old forced to cut weight. As success rises, so do weight cutting expectations. I recall seeing 68.5 on the scale and being told I needed to be 60 for national competitions.
Starving your kids is neglect. No one gives a crap about winning state in kids wrestling when you’re older – trust me – but I can still go an entire day without eating and not even notice.
I shared these experiences with another individual for about 12 years on the same kids and HS team. At times his burden was even heavier. I recall splitting an ENTIRE orange one day as our lunch. He is now heavily overweight and a recovering alcoholic. His self control had been totally screwed after his basic needs were used to manipulate him.
“Starving myself makes adults praise me more!”
-your child’s brain
Wrestling parents: Get some perspective.
I absolutely agree that most little league wrestlers should not cut weight. While I definitely think weight cutting at a very young age can cause health issues and burnout, I’m not sure weight cutting can be tied to your friend being overweight and a recovering alcoholic. Thanks for your feedback.