Pre-Wrestling skills development

[daslobo]

Copy of my post in the AA forum.

My son just turned 4 and I'm looking for activities/training that will prepare him for wrestling if he wants to wrestle later on. We're in Chicago right near the United Center. My initial thoughts are Judo or some other martial arts training. I like the skills that people like Kading, Max, and others brought to the sport as newcomers. Looking for advice/ideas. Hoping Mac has some thoughts especially.

[Lawrestling]

Gymnasttics and tumbling are good to develop body control for kids that age. I would put him in those prior to judo or the other mixed martial arts.

[daslobo]

Originally Posted by Lawrestling

Gymnasttics and tumbling are good to develop body control for kids that age. I would put him in those prior to judo or the other mixed martial arts.

I got that from the other forum too. Great call. I hadn't thought about gymnastics. Those guys are brutally strong. So are cheerleaders but I think I'll steer him away from that.

[Blonjuan44]

Originally Posted by daslobo

Copy of my post in the AA forum.

My son just turned 4 and I'm looking for activities/training that will prepare him for wrestling if he wants to wrestle later on. We're in Chicago right near the United Center. My initial thoughts are Judo or some other martial arts training. I like the skills that people like Kading, Max, and others brought to the sport as newcomers. Looking for advice/ideas. Hoping Mac has some thoughts especially.

I would do what ever is convenient that he/she enjoys that is related - gymnastics,football,soccer - anything athletic related to see what comes natural. I hear all these people driving crazy distances for special stuff for little kids and I think thats nuts. There are kids who start in 7th grade and become champs, (there is one on the opening page), alot of it is genetic and natural mental toughness. Look at all these wrestling teams rosters - they all have 40 nine year old, and end up with like 5 eight graders. - then half the high school freshman are new to the sport, for reasons other than parents. - Find something he enjoys...