Wrestling might be the world’s oldest sport. It was a part of the ancient Olympic Games and has been a part of virtually every culture throughout history. You’ve likely already wrestled at some point – either by trying to pin down your brother on the living room floor or taking down your friends on the school playground
Of all the sports choices a parent and child can make, wrestling is perhaps the best sport for overall physical development as it involves all muscle groups, and requires the greatest balance of athletic skill. Not only does wrestling improve coordination, speed, agility and intensity, it strengthens virtually all muscle groups from hips, legs, torso and upper body, including neck and grip strength.
One of the great aspects of wresting is the use of weight classes. It allows kids of all sizes to compete with others on a safer, more equal playing field. Wrestling also demands a level of commitment, focus and discipline that’s unlike many other sports. Because of the characteristics specific to the sport of wrestling, young athletes can expect to develop tenacity, persistence, and skills that carry over into other sports arenas.
Many parents and wrestlers note individual improvement in other aspects of their life resulting from the discipline and success found through wrestling. Wrestling teaches athletes how to compete. When you watch a game of basketball, rugby or soccer, you often see young kids on the field taking plays off. In a one on one sport such as wrestling, the athlete is forced by the nature of the activity to engage and compete with the opposition 100% of the time.
Wrestling also teaches personal accountability. There is little room for blame when you are the lone participant from your team competing at the time. This can be intimidating at first, but over time becomes liberating. You can lose as a team and win your match, and vice versa. Personal confidence continues to build with each match and flourishes with more experience.
Rugby/League & Wrestling
The skills developed form wrestling go hand in hand with the sport of rugby or rugby league. Leverage, balance, tackling, level changes, and the ability to execute techniques with a low center of gravity (a good stance) are a few of the skills taught and reinforced in the sport of wrestling. Many if not all of the current rugby teams in New Zealand (including the Super 15 teams) have had or still do have wrestling coaches attached to their training programs. NRL Rugby leagues clubs have for many years realised the benefits of wrestling in the sport.
Watch the YouTube video to see how wrestling skills can benefit other sports – in this case rugby.
