You’re Not Behind
You’re Not Behind
If your athlete isn’t wrestling year-round, it can feel like they’re falling behind.
You see other kids at every tournament. Training in every season. Always on the mat.
It creates pressure.
The assumption becomes simple. If they’re doing more, they must be getting better faster.
But that is not always how development works.
You’re not behind.
You’re building something different.
What We Are Really Trying to Say
Development is not about doing the most as early as possible.
It is about building the right foundation.
Taking time away from wrestling or playing other sports is not lost time. It is part of the process. It helps athletes build the physical and mental tools they will need later.
The goal is not to be the best wrestler right now.
The goal is to become the best wrestler you can be over time.
Why Taking Time Off and Playing Other Sports Helps
When athletes step away from wrestling, they are not stepping away from development.
They are building it in different ways.
Other sports and activities help athletes:
-Develop coordination and body control
-Build speed, strength, and explosiveness
-Learn how to compete in different environments
-Stay mentally fresh and engaged
They also reduce the risk of burnout.
Athletes who train nonstop often lose their edge. What started as something they enjoy turns into something they feel like they have to do.
Athletes who have balance stay connected to the sport longer.
And over time, that matters more than anything.
What We Believe at Kingdom Wrestling
At Kingdom Wrestling, we prioritize long-term success over early results.
We are not trying to develop the best youth wrestler.
We are trying to develop the best long-term wrestler.
That means:
-Focusing on growth over wins
-Building athletes, not just wrestlers
-Making decisions based on where an athlete is going, not where they are today
We understand that development takes time.
And we are willing to build it the right way.
How We Structure Our Training
Our schedule is not random.
It is built intentionally to support long-term development.
Fall
High School: Building for the season
Youth: Off or limited
At this stage, high school athletes are preparing for competition. Youth athletes are not pushed to train year-round. This allows them to play other sports and continue developing as athletes.
Winter
Youth: Main season
High School: Supplemental training
This is when youth wrestling should be the focus. High school athletes are in season, and younger athletes are getting their primary competition experience.
Spring
Youth: Skill development and fun
High School: Continued development and focus on weaknesses
Spring is a great time to learn. The pressure is lower, and athletes can expand their skills without focusing only on results.
Summer
Youth: Limited, technical focus
High School: Mental skills, hunger for mat time, and skill development
Summer is about growth, not overload. Youth athletes stay sharp without burning out. High school athletes continue to develop while building discipline and motivation.
Why This Matters
Athletes who train nonstop often:
-Burn out
-Lose motivation
-Plateau earlier
Athletes who are developed over time:
-Stay healthier
-Improve more consistently
-Continue progressing when others level off
The difference is not effort.
It is structure.
The Takeaway
You’re not behind.
You’re building something that lasts.
The goal is not to win early.
It is to keep improving when it matters most.
And that only happens when development is done the right way.
Sources
1. American Academy of Pediatrics – Sports Specialization and Intensive Training in Young Athletes (2016)
2. National Athletic Trainers' Association – Sport Specialization in Young Athletes (2017)
3. International Olympic Committee – Youth Athletic Development Consensus Statement (2015)
4. Jean Côté – Developmental Model of Sport Participation (2007)
5. David Epstein – Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World (2019)
6. K. Anders Ericsson – The Role of Deliberate Practice in Expert Performance (1993)
7. Neeru A. Jayanthi – Sports Specialization in Young Athletes (2013)
8. Carol Dweck – Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (2006)