Wrestling Stint

Last weekend, my nephew Joey participated in a wrestling meet/match/tournament. I'm not really sure what to call it because my knowledge of wrestling is very, very limited.  I don't know how it's scored and I'm not sure what moves are considered appropriate or penalties.  Joey had gone to a couple of practices and was invited to attend this event.  Of course, I wasn't going to miss it.

I learned quite a bit. 

 

1) It's a very emotional sport.  Many of the kids (little and big) cried through or after the matches.  I think the combination of being so physically close to someone, the yelling, and essentially fighting your way out of uncomfortable positions must be emotionally draining. It was hard to watch. For the record, Joey would want you to know that he didn't cry. 

2) If you aren't aggressive from the second it starts, you will be pinned and you are done. Sometimes in seconds. Poor little guy. This after traveling to the event, spending three hours waiting for weigh-ins and coaches meetings and watching other matches.  It's very physical for the amount of time you are in the match, but when you aren't there's a lot of waiting around. Joey is a mover and a shaker.  He likes to be in constant motion...as in running and jumping,  You don't really get that in wrestling, but I am glad he is getting exposure and has the opportunities to try different sports.

3) My little Joey isn't super aggressive.  Not now anyway. I'm sure he will grow into being more aggressive. He loves to wrestle with his dad and his grandpa. When he was younger he would even wrestle with me. I loved that. But that's different.  That's done while smiling and giggling and no one was keeping score.

4) Joey is athletic.  He has a super throwing arm, he's fast and he's always wanting to kick some sort of ball around.  Those are his physical strengths at 7 years old.

and

5) I don't like wrestling! Is it wrong that I was hoping that this experience would make him want to go another direction with his sports options? 

I've been told since that he is moving on from wrestling.   
Whew.
His Aunt E is ready with her camera for spring soccer. ;)