How Do I Help My Child Set Goals in Wrestling?

Wrestling is a sport that rewards hard work, discipline, and personal growth. But in a sport where success doesn’t always come quickly, it’s important for young athletes to have clear direction. That’s where goal setting comes in. When done well, goal setting gives wrestlers something to strive for, a way to measure progress, and a sense of purpose in every practice and match.

As a parent, you play a big role in helping your child think about what they want to achieve and how to get there. But setting goals isn’t just about saying “I want to win.” It’s about helping your child focus on growth, effort, and improvement, and learning how to stick with the process even when things get tough.

In this blog, we’ll walk through how you can help your child set meaningful goals in wrestling, and how to support them in reaching those goals throughout the season.

1. Start with a Conversation

Before any goals are written down, take some time to talk with your child. Ask them what they enjoy about wrestling, what they hope to improve, and how they feel about their progress so far. This helps shift the focus from pressure to personal motivation.

Ask questions like:

• “What’s something new you want to learn this season?”

• “Is there a skill or position you want to get better at?”

• “What would make you feel proud by the end of the season?”

By starting the conversation this way, you let your child take the lead—and that makes the goals more meaningful.

2. Set Both Outcome and Effort-Based Goals

There are two main types of goals in wrestling: outcome goals and effort goals. Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes.

Outcome Goals:

These are based on results, such as:

• Winning a certain number of matches

• Placing at a tournament

• Making the varsity lineup

Outcome goals can be exciting, but they’re not always in your child’s control. That’s why they should be paired with effort-based goals.

Effort Goals:

These focus on things your child can control, such as:

• Going to every practice this month

• Finishing every match without giving up

• Improving their shot defense

• Learning three new techniques

Effort goals build habits. They teach kids that success comes from consistent hard work—not just natural talent.

3. Make Goals Specific and Measurable

One of the most common mistakes in goal setting is being too vague. A goal like “get better at wrestling” is too broad to track or evaluate. Instead, help your child set goals that are specific and measurable.

Examples of strong, specific goals include:

• “Finish all matches this month without being pinned.”

• “Drill my single leg takedown 50 times each week.”

• “Score one takedown per match for the next three tournaments.”

These goals give your child something concrete to work toward—and a clear way to know when they’ve achieved it.

4. Break Big Goals into Smaller Steps

Big goals can be motivating, but they can also feel overwhelming—especially if your child is new to the sport. Help them break large goals into smaller steps they can work on week by week.

For example: Big Goal: Win a tournament Smaller Steps:

• Learn and drill my go-to move with perfect form

• Practice match mindset with my coach or parent

• Review video of past matches to see what needs improvement

• Stay focused in practice and ask questions when confused

This makes the goal feel more doable, and helps your child track their progress over time.

5. Write Goals Down and Keep Them Visible

Once your child has chosen a few clear goals, help them write them down. You can hang them in their bedroom, keep them in a wrestling journal, or tape them inside their gear bag.

Having goals written down and visible serves as a daily reminder of what they’re working toward. It also gives them a sense of ownership and accountability.

You might even encourage them to check off goals as they reach them. This builds confidence and shows them how far they’ve come.

6. Celebrate Progress, Not Just Results

Every time your child moves closer to a goal—whether it’s mastering a move, winning a match, or simply finishing a tough practice—take time to celebrate. A high-five, a kind word, or a reminder of how much they’ve improved goes a long way.

Celebrating progress teaches your child that:

• Success isn’t just about medals

• Hard work is worth it

• Wrestling is about personal growth, not just winning

This kind of encouragement helps them stay motivated, especially during setbacks or tough matches.

7. Be Patient and Stay Positive

Goal setting in wrestling is not about perfection—it’s about persistence. There will be ups and downs. Your child may hit some goals faster than expected and struggle with others longer than planned.

That’s normal.

Stay positive and remind your child that every great wrestler had to fight through frustration to get where they are. The most important thing is not quitting, even when progress feels slow.

Wrestling Goals Build Life Skills

Helping your child set goals in wrestling isn’t just about building better athletes—it’s about building better people. Goal setting teaches responsibility, self-motivation, resilience, and long-term thinking. These are skills that will serve your child not only on the mat, but in school, relationships, and life.

So start small, encourage effort, and keep the conversation going. With your support and the right goals in front of them, your young wrestler will not only improve—they’ll discover what they’re truly capable of.

And that’s a goal worth chasing every day.