Why can't we switch to the 2-piece?

[meZYNbrink]

I've been around the sport long enough to have seen multiple pushes in the last 15 years to move away from the singlet and to the 2-piece uniform. For the life of me, I can't understand why we can't get there. I understand the nostalgia element of the singlet for many, as well as the fact that most of us are creatures of habit. But why can't we move to a more comfortable, less revealing uniform?

A few points:

1. Wrestling is one of the only sports that doesn't practice in the competition uniform. 2-pieces would largely solve this. Why prepare for competition in a different uniform?
2. Growing wrestling is a major point of emphasis for many, namely USA Wrestling. We all want to see the level of competition in the US at the highest levels (college/senior), and how can we do that better than by lowering the barrier to entry for kids at a young age/increasing retention rates? 2-piece would help this factor by being less revealing and more practical.
3. There is a stigma, though I obviously disagree, that combat sports (especially wrestling) are inherently homoerotic. We can increase mass appeal of the sport by simply being less naked during competition without compromising range of motion, flexibility, and utility by implementing the 2-piece.

There are many other reasons why I think the 2-piece makes all of the sense in the world, but I'd like to hear the board's thoughts on why we are stuck with the singlet. It seems to me that the efforts to switch uniforms in the past were worthwhile, even getting as far as allowing it as a 1:1 option for athletes. 

[BruceyB]

3 minutes ago, meZYNbrink said:

I've been around the sport long enough to have seen multiple pushes in the last 15 years to move away from the singlet and to the 2-piece uniform. For the life of me, I can't understand why we can't get there. I understand the nostalgia element of the singlet for many, as well as the fact that most of us are creatures of habit. But why can't we move to a more comfortable, less revealing uniform?

A few points:

1. Wrestling is one of the only sports that doesn't practice in the competition uniform. 2-pieces would largely solve this. Why prepare for competition in a different uniform?
2. Growing wrestling is a major point of emphasis for many, namely USA Wrestling. We all want to see the level of competition in the US at the highest levels (college/senior), and how can we do that better than by lowering the barrier to entry for kids at a young age/increasing retention rates? 2-piece would help this factor by being less revealing and more practical.
3. There is a stigma, though I obviously disagree, that combat sports (especially wrestling) are inherently homoerotic. We can increase mass appeal of the sport by simply being less naked during competition without compromising range of motion, flexibility, and utility by implementing the 2-piece.

There are many other reasons why I think the 2-piece makes all of the sense in the world, but I'd like to hear the board's thoughts on why we are stuck with the singlet. It seems to me that the efforts to switch uniforms in the past were worthwhile, even getting as far as allowing it as a 1:1 option for athletes. 

This topic has been discussed heavily on this forum even in my 10 months since joining. I don't think many of us here will disagree with your argument.

The ol' junior high comments (I went to a school which had 0 wrestling tradition) of "two sweaty guys rolling around in spandex" will always be there as long as the singlet exists. At least in fight shorts and a rashguard, it resembles MMA w/o strikes. From the viewpoint of those that have never watched a wrestling match, it massively changes the first impression of the sport. I do believe that many more kids that grow up with exposure to the UFC and see former wrestlers being these tough guys would inherently grow youth participation once you remove the barrier of accepting the singlet.

[meZYNbrink]

6 minutes ago, BruceyB said:

This topic has been discussed heavily on this forum even in my 10 months since joining. I don't think many of us here will disagree with your argument.

The ol' junior high comments (I went to a school which had 0 wrestling tradition) of "two sweaty guys rolling around in spandex" will always be there as long as the singlet exists. At least in fight shorts and a rashguard, it resembles MMA w/o strikes. From the viewpoint of those that have never watched a wrestling match, it massively changes the first impression of the sport. I do believe that many more kids that grow up with exposure to the UFC and see former wrestlers being these tough guys would inherently grow youth participation once you remove the barrier of accepting the singlet.

I agree. BJJ's rise has brought many kids to combat sports, but also has perhaps cannibalized wrestling's participation rates. Can't help but think some kids view BJJ as more approachable due to the uniform.

Edited 11 hours ago by meZYNbrink

[Mr. PeanutButter]

There is a lot of merchandising potential here as well that both brands and individual wrestlers could capitalize on. For that reason alone I'm surprised the change hasn't happen yet. 

However, my nightmare scenario is seeing this trickle into freestyle in the worse way, to the extent that we start seeing "CONDOM DEPOT" emblazoned on the trunks of most wrestlers

Edited 11 hours ago by Mr. PeanutButter

[meZYNbrink]

2 minutes ago, Mr. PeanutButter said:

There is a lot of merchandising potential here as well that both brands and individual wrestlers could capitalize on. For that reason alone I'm surprised the change hasn't happen yet. 

However, my nightmare scenario is seeing this trickle into freestyle in the worse way to the extent that we start seeing "CONDOM DEPOT" emblazoned on the trunks of most wrestlera

I see "CONDOM DEPOT" branding not only as a win for the sport but a personal victory...

[VakAttack]

6 minutes ago, Mr. PeanutButter said:

There is a lot of merchandising potential here as well that both brands and individual wrestlers could capitalize on. For that reason alone I'm surprised the change hasn't happen yet. 

However, my nightmare scenario is seeing this trickle into freestyle in the worse way, to the extent that we start seeing "CONDOM DEPOT" emblazoned on the trunks of most wrestlers

Man, some of us are pro safe sex.  I don't want about 90% of the posters on wrestling forums reproducing based on the conversations we have.

[Fletcher]

I run our youth wrestling club. We went with the 2-piece but the cost is more than double singlets. Most youth clubs and schools operate on a shoestring budget already.

Kids also are more likely to not return the 2-piece at the end of the season because it looks cool. I'll see them wearing it around town in the summer - you won't see that happen with a singlet.

[MPhillips]

13 minutes ago, VakAttack said:

I don't want about 90% of the posters on wrestling forums reproducing based on the conversations we have.

They really shouldn't re-produce no matter...

[Truzzcat]

I am all for the 2 piece unless Ryan Deakin is wrestling. I want to see the gun show.

[bnwtwg]

4 hours ago, VakAttack said:

Man, some of us are pro safe sex.  I don't want about 90% of the posters on wrestling forums reproducing based on the conversations we have.

cough cough blue dragons cough cough

[ionel]

4 hours ago, MPhillips said:

They really shouldn't re-produce no matter...

MP bringing his Animal Science Husbandry major knowledge to the board.  

[boconnell]

7 hours ago, meZYNbrink said:

I've been around the sport long enough to have seen multiple pushes in the last 15 years to move away from the singlet and to the 2-piece uniform. For the life of me, I can't understand why we can't get there. I understand the nostalgia element of the singlet for many, as well as the fact that most of us are creatures of habit. But why can't we move to a more comfortable, less revealing uniform?

A few points:

1. Wrestling is one of the only sports that doesn't practice in the competition uniform. 2-pieces would largely solve this. Why prepare for competition in a different uniform?
2. Growing wrestling is a major point of emphasis for many, namely USA Wrestling. We all want to see the level of competition in the US at the highest levels (college/senior), and how can we do that better than by lowering the barrier to entry for kids at a young age/increasing retention rates? 2-piece would help this factor by being less revealing and more practical.
3. There is a stigma, though I obviously disagree, that combat sports (especially wrestling) are inherently homoerotic. We can increase mass appeal of the sport by simply being less naked during competition without compromising range of motion, flexibility, and utility by implementing the 2-piece.

There are many other reasons why I think the 2-piece makes all of the sense in the world, but I'd like to hear the board's thoughts on why we are stuck with the singlet. It seems to me that the efforts to switch uniforms in the past were worthwhile, even getting as far as allowing it as a 1:1 option for athletes. 

Wrestling participation is through the roof and growing.  We don't have a problem getting kids to wrestle.  That's not a thing.  We are breaking participation records.  Your other points can be discussed, but this one doesn't apply.

Edited 5 hours ago by boconnell