Mental preparation for a young wrestler

[drewski]

I just put my 5 year old into wrestling this year. So far he is enjoying it. We had our first tournament this weekend and he went 1-2. I felt it was a big mental victory for him to get a win. My question to all of you is, how do you mentally prepare a 5 year old for a wrestling match?  What do you say?

His last match was against a 6 year old who has one full year of experience on him.  He did get pinned and came up crying.  I reminded him that it is a tough sport and he needs to be ready for a fight.  It's a difficult concept I think for him to understand because he has been taught not to punch his brother, or not to get mad at the other kids at school.  Now all of a sudden I want him to go in there and pin the other kid.   

What is taught to kids when the start BJJ, or any other martial art? 

Thanks,

Drewski

[mynewunit]

Lots of thoughts. I would say getting pinned at age 5, tears are definitely a possible outcome. As for what to say to a 5 year old getting ready for a wrestling match, I would give him some small things so that he knows how it will be different than practice. Then I would give him some bigger things.
Little things: Tell him a few things that would be different. Tell him there will be a referee, Tell him that he will be rushed out there and then it will be time to go, Let him know that the match will be in a big room and there will be more people and other matches going on, typically.
Big Things: Tell him that competing should be fun, winning is a product of training, the match stops when the ref says, shake your opponents hand.
Acknowledge the influence that you have as Dad. Your son is doing this for your approval, attention, and praise. As long as he is getting those things, his actual performance on the mat should just be the indicator of his training.
How does BJJ handle it? They do walk a very interesting line. My kids had one day of bully training. Outside of that, the skills they are learning are never mentioned in a manner of use outside the training rooms. Similar to gymnastics or football, not existing outside the field of competition. BJJ professors have a mindset of "You didn't win, you just came in first place". "You are here to make your training partner better". "You are the one who is responsible for the bully, opponent, training partner. If you get hurt, that is training, if your partner gets hurt, it is your fault".
I hope this helps. Yes it is complicated. Yes it is weird for a 5 year old. Focus on the goal.