How do I get high school kids to come out for wrestling

[okccoach86]

So I posted the other day that I am been coaching for a little while  now and that I am working in a inner city school. I got some awesome feedback on my last post so my next question is how do I get kids out to join wrestling in a inner city school? What are some good ideas out there? I know it's a big challenge but  it can be done. I know it is not inner city but I remember watching a Roy Hall interview of Davison Michigan when he first took over his high school program there only about eight kids on team. That's the kind of situation that I am in. What do you all think? 

[nhs67]

It is an easier thing to do if you are a teacher on staff there, but #1 thing I would say is to walk the halls.  In between classes get the word out there as much and often as possible.  If even one kid comes out from that you have won.

Maybe you could talk to the Principal, Vice Principal, or AD(if there is one) and walk the halls with them, or walk around during the lunch periods with them.  Get them to bridge the gap with the names, if they can.  They can also help to point out some of the gents who might be in troubling situations that need the focused distractions that a wrestling season provides.

Get something out in the school newsletter(s) or on the school pages (facebook/twitter/etc for the school or other athletics).  Post 'I Want You' posters or other adds in the halls, weight rooms, etc.  Make sure you talk to whoever has the authority to okay that and do your vest to not step on toes.

What Roy Hall did required a lot of support from the school, the parents, the students, and the entire community and he got them.  It takes a village, so use the village to help you and build as many relationships as you can to help you - both directly and indirectly.  Knowing more names is better than less.

Edited November 3, 2022 by nhs67

[MPhillips]

2 hours ago, okccoach86 said:

What do you all think? 

I've been inner city for 25+yrs. Care about them and make an environment they want to be in.  Siblings help too. 

It'll take a bit of time, but if you have the time you won't regret taking it. All the best. Keep us tuned in.

[okccoach86]

13 hours ago, MPhillips said:

I've been inner city for 25+yrs. Care about them and make an environment they want to be in.  Siblings help too. 

It'll take a bit of time, but if you have the time you won't regret taking it. All the best. Keep us tuned in.

I definitely will you all. I appreciate all the feedback

[Formally140]

- One on one works better than posters. Telling a kid you think they could do well because of what you see in them works better than passive recruiting. 

- Get two pieces. Make them look look good. Roberto Duran joined boxing because he wanted a pair of shorts like his buddy. 
 

Much like the rest of the things you’ll deal with. It’s a day to day process

[nick]

Some more ideas from what we do here , it's a little old at this point but hopefully can get some ideas out of it

[TonyClifton]

Remember the Simpsons episode where they had that group of kids come in and they were doing a bunch of yo-yo tricks? The entire school was obsessed with yo-yo's after that. Maybe bring in a wrestler from your area for some type of assembly, could encourage some kids to give it a shot.

[H82Lose]

For the first time in years, we will have some football kids coming out.  We will not be as good as we have been in the past, so the new coaches had to go find some bodies.  Football guys are a little more open to it, because they are told it will help them get better at football. Kids in general, I think other kids in wrestling talking to them, is the best.  Kids can understand other kids, and will take what they say to heart more than an adult (IMO). Anywhere I go, I try to tell anyone that will listen, you may never achieve everything you want in the sport, but one thing I can guarantee it will bring: Life is a little easier when you build a work ethic that wrestling brings, life can still be tough don't get be wrong, but you will understand adversity after you wrestle. Tough sport, not a popular sport. I have told my kids since day one, you have to do this for you, and set your goals for you. When you go to a dual, it will be mom, dad, and grandparents...it will not be a sell out (at least where we are from)...so it has to be for you. Gosh dang I love this sport! nothing better.

[npope]

I say only half-facetiously - girls. Young boys are supremely interested in opportunities to meet young girls. If you recruit popular young ladies, e.g., cheerleaders/statisticians/trainers, etc., into situations it increase the chances of meeting and getting to know them. I am sure any number of guys might be a bit more interested in trying out for the sport if they have the additional opportunity to meet young ladies they might be interested in.

The point is, the solutions to the problem are not as direct or obvious as one might think - maybe the task of recruiting popular young ladies is less complex than recruiting young boys?

"Bait the trap appropriately," gentlemen

[MadMardigain]

On 11/14/2022 at 7:06 PM, TonyClifton said:

Remember the Simpsons episode where they had that group of kids come in and they were doing a bunch of yo-yo tricks? The entire school was obsessed with yo-yo's after that. Maybe bring in a wrestler from your area for some type of assembly, could encourage some kids to give it a shot.

As a die hard Simpsons fan this is a solid reference.  But, to pivot back to wrestling i always felt that if you could get two upper-classman to choreograph  a match (wwe style) with several slick moves and tour that around the elementary schools you’d double the youth program sign ups. 

[Fadzaev2]

I breezed through most of the above comments, and maybe it's getting to late.....but and assembly with a demonstration is great......announcements ....if you've already started, you could still make an announcement for weight classes you need to fill.  I you could get into the physical education classes and talk to the class....posters can help...even announcements during the lunch hours.  Fadz

[Formally140]

On 11/25/2022 at 4:36 PM, npope said:

I say only half-facetiously - girls. Young boys are supremely interested in opportunities to meet young girls. If you recruit popular young ladies, e.g., cheerleaders/statisticians/trainers, etc., into situations it increase the chances of meeting and getting to know them. I am sure any number of guys might be a bit more interested in trying out for the sport if they have the additional opportunity to meet young ladies they might be interested in.

The point is, the solutions to the problem are not as direct or obvious as one might think - maybe the task of recruiting popular young ladies is less complex than recruiting young boys?

"Bait the trap appropriately," gentlemen

I’ve invariably found that the type of girl that makes a good manager/stat girl. Almost always is the type that is 90+% likely to not date any of the wrestlers lol.

but I understand your sentiment 

[gimpeltf]

1 minute ago, Formally140 said:

I’ve invariably found that the type of girl that makes a good manager/stat girl. Almost always is the type that is 90+% likely to not date any of the wrestlers lol.

Invariably, almost always, 90+%

Keeping your options open?

 

[Formally140]

6 minutes ago, gimpeltf said:

Invariably, almost always, 90+%

Keeping your options open?

 

My grammaticals ain’t where’s thee is supposed to be lol

[jross]

How soon would you allow brand-new wrestlers to compete in a varsity tournament?  My local school has new girls wrestling varsity tournaments after a few days of practice, and I don't understand how this is good for retention.  Should they hold off on competition until a certain status of technique, etc., is reached?

[Formally140]

23 hours ago, jross said:

How soon would you allow brand-new wrestlers to compete in a varsity tournament?  My local school has new girls wrestling varsity tournaments after a few days of practice, and I don't understand how this is good for retention.  Should they hold off on competition until a certain status of technique, etc., is reached?

It depends on your situation as a school. As far as duals I’ve always been team first. If you have to bump up you bump up. Though I try to be judicious with it and not throw them to the wolves. 

For girls though… ehhh that seems short sighted.