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Steve Fraser, America's first Olympic gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling and currently the National Greco Coach for the United States, wrote a terrific article listing specific things that parents can do to help their student wrestlers. The article is published on Fraser's Web site, but it has been reprinted extensively for high school, college and club wrestling programs everywhere.

Parents Can Help Their Kids
Steve Fraser, www.stevefraser.com
Technique, balance, tactics, strategies, mental toughness are all intertwined skills that must be learned before one can have great success in the sport. This takes time! Wrestling is not learned overnight. This is why, especially at a young age, it is imperative that kids stay focused on having fun and learning the basics. The winning will come later. The Parents Guide To Kids Wrestling, published by Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc., lists seven items that all parents should consider when determining where they stand as far as how they are helping their young wrestler. If you can honestly answer yes to all of the following questions then you are well on your way to helping your child in wrestling ... and in life. [more]

After several years associated with wrestling programs I have still not become anesthetized to the anguish of watching my son on the mats - particularly when he is in a less than favorable position. This humorous, sympathetic and yet somehow-still-painful article was shared with me – and I would like to pass it on to you – I think it summarizes our emotions surrounding the sport of wrestling!

Lament of a Wrestler's Mom - It's Not So Easy to Get a Grip
Susan Reimer, originally published in the Chicago Sun-Times, Jan 23, 2000
Mothers don't let your babies grow up to be wrestlers. Trust me, You'll hate it.
-- The only activity our sons could choose that would be less mother-friendly is patrolling sniper zones in the Balkans. Wrestling is as close to hand-to-hand combat as your baby boy can get without carrying a knife between his teeth. There is no place for mothers in wrestling.
-- "I watch through my fingers," one wrestling mother told me. "I am afraid to be here in case something happens. But I am afraid not to be here in case something happens. Do you understand?"
-- Only another wrestling mother understands. [more]

VYI's Web site about Wrestling includes a short and easy-to-understand summary of scoring terms for wrestling - very helpful!

Moves, Terms and Scoring
Vienna Youth, Inc. - www.vyi.org

1. Neutral position - All matches begin with wrestlers in a standing, neutral position, where neither wrestler is in "control" of the other.
2. Take Down (2 points) - To be awarded points one wrestler must be in "control" of the other. [The referee will show two fingers.]
3. Escape (1 point) - Awarded to a wrestler who escapes the "control" of another. [The referee will hold up one finger.]
4. Reversal (2 points) - Awarded to a "controlled" wrestler who then gains "control" over the other wrestler. [The referee will display by rolling his arms in front of his chest.]
5. Near Fall (2 or 3 points) - When a wrestler's back is held at a 45 degree angle to the mat for a 2 second count without the angle being broken, points are awarded to the wrestler in control. If the ref can reach a 5 second count 3 points are awarded. [The ref will show the scoring with the number of fingers]
6. Pin/Fall (end of match) - A pin occurs when both shoulder blades hit the mat simultaneously. The ref will slap the mat to signify a pin. The scorekeeper should mark down the time of the pin. For example, if the pin occurs after 15 seconds of the third period the time is 2:15.
7. Penalty Points (1 point) - Points are awarded if a wrestler "locks" hands or uses an illegal hold such as a "full nelson". Warnings are usually but not always given before penalty points are awarded.

• Marshall Participation Forms are all online. Be sure to check the Team Newz section from time to time for items like this.


• The Parents Guide to Wrestling - by USA Wrestling - is both a book and a Web site. The book can actually be downloaded for free (as a PDF file), and the Web site contains many useful resources and links for parents of Wrestlers.


• The Idaho Sports Medicine Institute published a very informative article about the issue of skin diseases and specific steps for how to avoid them. The article is online in PDF format.


• We need parent volunteers! Be sure to check out the Volunteer page for activities that the Wrestling program needs help with!
   

If you have ideas for other resources and notes that would be useful to the Marshall Wrestling parents community, drop us a line with your suggestion!