Is your child interested in joining a school wrestling team or local wrestling club? Wrestling is a tremendous opportunity to impart in your child important lessons about commitment, discipline and hard work while challenging him or her to stay in fantastic physical shape.

There are many things you should know about wrestling and what your child will need to start on the mats.

Youth Wrestling is Safe

If you are like many people, the first thing you imagine when you think of wrestling is the violent, choreographed mayhem of WWE-style professional wrestling. Forget that. The sport of wrestling has nothing to do with professional wrestling. Wrestling is a carefully refereed sport focused on grappling. There is no punching, kicking or any other type of striking allowed on the wrestling mat. Because of this, there are very few serious injuries associated with wrestling. In fact, wrestling has a much lower rate of serious injuries than sports such as football, hockey, soccer or even baseball. There are no running collisions that can cause concussions and because of the fluid nature of wrestling there are no repetitive motions that can cause major joint damage such as in baseball. Most wrestling injuries consist of sprains and strains.

What Your Child Needs to Start Wrestling

First, your child will need a team or club to wrestle and train with. Many middle schools and most high schools have wrestling teams. These teams usually hold regular afterschool practices and participate in weekly meets and tournaments. If your child is younger or his school does not have a wrestling team, you may find a local independent wrestling club.

There are several pieces of wrestling gear your child will need to practice and compete. For training, make sure he has loose fitting but not baggy exercise clothing free of metal buttons, zippers and other hard or sharp objects that can cause harm to him or other wrestlers. He will need a tight-fitting, one-piece garment known as a wrestling singlet. Many teams will provide this. He will also need youth wrestling shoes and specialized wrestling headgear to protect his head and ears. Beginning wrestlers should choose soft-shelled headgear. For additional protection, you should consider purchasing kneepads and a mouth guard.

Once, your child is enrolled in a program and has the gear he is ready to compete. Be sure to talk to his coach for anything else you will need to know. Most importantly make sure your child has fun out on the mat.

Author Bio

Jeffrey Pape is the founder and president of WrestlingGear.com. He has been involved in wrestling since joining his first team in the 4th grade. WrestlingGear.com offers a full line of wrestling gear and clothing including youth wrestling shoes and other accessories.

WrestlingGear.Com is looking to hire a few summer interns. You may have the opportunity to continue working after the summer while you are still attending college. Internship positions are paid.

If you are interested, please fax a cover letter along with a one page resume to 630-832-0505. Don’t have access to a fax machine? Send it via snail mail to: WrestlingGear.Com, Ltd. 655 W. Grand Ave. Unit 140, Elmhurst, IL 60126

Marketing Co-ordinator:

• Must be pursuing a marketing degree or minor
• Help our company plan and execute its marketing programs
• Gain experience working with database marketing, catalog marketing, marketing planning, email, Search Engine optimization, blogging, social media and more
• Paid internship opportunity for this summer
• Possible extension after the summer for those attending college locally
• Flexible hours
• Pay will be $8.50 an hour

Graphic Design / Photographer / Videographer:

• Looking to hire one or more persons to fill these jobs
• Must be pursuing a degree in on of these fields
• Help us generate marketing materials including those for web, print, and video for the web
• Must have skills in Abobe Photoshop and Illustrator
• Paid internship opportunity for this summer
• Possible extension after the summer for those attending college locally
• Part-time hours to fit your college schedule
• Pay will be $8.50 an hour

Jake Herbert  is making the television circuit. This is the second interview I saw him do. Jake used one of our photos we shot of him at the Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City in April 2012. He gave them to the interviewer and others associated with the television program.

You can even see the photo at the end of this interview…

What do you think about his chances for London Olympic Wretling Gold?

We are working with our suppliers to identify what wrestling shoes and gear you will see their athletes wearing…be sure to check back regularly…

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