The Value of Wrestling in an Athletic Program

By Ken Britcher

Wrestling is an ideal sport to prepare young men for challenges of life. It has an equal value for any young man in developing his physical powers and because of the extensive psychological benefits, which can be derived from competition in this worthy sport. Owing to its rigorous nature, it not only provides mental skills toward development of a controlled aggressive attitude, but it is unexcelled as a means of acquiring physical efficiency, coordination, poise, and effective use of the body. After a man has learned how to pin his opponent's shoulders to the mat, the "winning spirit" invades his mind and he realizes that he "can take care of himself" in any sort of physical and mental encounter.

All normal young men have a desire to place themselves in situations where they are on their own responsibility and success of failure depends upon their own intelligence, skill, speed, and strength. This spirit of conquest, this desire for physical adventure, is a normal heritage of youth.

Wrestling is popular with most virile young men. Every growing American boy takes pride in his physical prowess, and it is rare to find a young man who is not anxious to do everything he can toward acquiring the skill and development of his inherent physical attributes to the greatest degree possible. The desire is real and deep-seated, as it should be, not only for the physical value it has, but also for the tremendous psychological impetus in acquiring mental preparation for self-discipline and self-reliance.

Competitive ability, which is one of the most noble and admirable qualities possessed of developed by man is on of the essential ingredients for success in wrestling. All athletic coaches recognize this intangible and highly important factor and strive to bring it to a peak among the individual members composing their teams. A high premium is placed on competitive ability in wrestling. This quality is germane and essential to success in this great sport, and can be developed to a high degree.

Boundless emphasis can be placed on competitive ability, strong moral fiber, and courage, which are indispensable in competition.

Awkwardness can be overcome by first learning and then diligently practicing the exact technique of important maneuvers. Similarly, qualities which we ordinarily associate with an individual's personality, if deficient, can be developed by supplying the stimulating situation, suggesting the proper response, if necessary, and then encourage the pupil to overcome his weakness through repeated efforts under similar circumstances.

The ideal time to teach young men the art of wrestling, and others sports is in elementary and middle school levels during the formative period of their lives.

In wrestling, individual sport is at its best. The wrestler is given and opportunity for self-expression which may be denied to him in team games. The wrestler need not submerge his personality to become a part of a machine, which is directed by someone else. Once he enters the contest, the final outcome is his own responsibility. His Coach cannot send in remedial advice at a crucial moment, and no substitute will appear when his powers begin to wane. He cannot take "timeout" to discuss his difficulties; he is fighting on his own responsibility and must make his own decisions; his success depends upon his own intelligence, determination, and physical powers. It is difficult to conceive of a better method of preparing youth for situations, which will call for self-reliance, initiative, and ability to decide upon courses of action when pressed for time and under conditions of acute physical discomfort.

Wrestling provides an outlet for the athletic ambitions of boys of all sizes and weights. Competitive matches are divided into weight classification, which permit each individual to compete against an opponent of corresponding weight. Another fine thing about wrestling is the nature of the sports lends itself to the development of proficiency regardless of the structure of the individual. There have been champions the stand over six foot and that weigh a 103 pounds, there has been champs that stand under five foot five inches that weigh 250 pounds. Unlike football, basketball and many other sports the size and shape of the student athlete is not a factor in determining if he can compete competitively for this sport. Wrestlers with peculiar builds can make adaptations to take advantage of it.

Amateur wrestling is a sport of the highest order, with the greatest emphasis being placed on clean living, suburb physical condition, competitive ability, self-mastery, and the development of many fine techniques. Wrestling helps to develop four important assets that every young man should have: individual initiative, mental alertness, body control under difficult conditions and courage to carry on.