How Do I Know Which Tournaments Are Right for My Child?

One of the most exciting parts of youth wrestling is the opportunity to compete in tournaments. Tournaments help young athletes test their skills, grow in confidence, and learn from live match experience. But for many parents—especially those new to the sport—figuring out which tournaments are right for their child can be confusing.

With options ranging from small local events to massive national competitions, it’s important to choose tournaments that are appropriate for your child’s age, experience level, and goals. Entering the right events can lead to growth and excitement. Entering the wrong ones can result in frustration or even discouragement.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to choose the best tournaments for your child, what factors to consider, and how to build a season that keeps your young wrestler learning and enjoying the sport.

1. Consider Your Child’s Experience Level

The first thing to think about is your child’s experience level. Are they brand new to wrestling? Have they practiced for a season or two? Are they ready for serious competition, or still getting comfortable on the mat?

For beginners, it’s best to start with:

• Local, low-pressure tournaments

• Beginner-only or novice divisions

• Events where everyone gets multiple matches, such as round-robins

These types of tournaments give new wrestlers a chance to gain confidence, learn how tournaments work, and experience live competition without overwhelming pressure.

For more experienced wrestlers, especially those who have practiced consistently and competed before, it may be time to explore:

• Regional or state-level events

• Bracketed tournaments with tougher competition

• Dual team competitions or invitationals

Choosing the right level helps your child feel challenged—but not defeated.

2. Talk to Your Child’s Coach

Your child’s coach is one of the best resources when it comes to tournament planning. Coaches know your child’s skill level, readiness, and mindset. They can help you decide:

• Which tournaments are a good fit

• Whether your child should enter a beginner or open division

• What goals to focus on during competition

• When it’s better to train instead of compete

Most coaches also build a team tournament schedule, and it’s often a good idea to stick with it. Attending events with teammates builds camaraderie, and your child will have support throughout the day.

3. Understand the Tournament Format

Different tournaments are structured in different ways. Understanding the format can help you determine whether the event is suitable for your child.

Here are the most common types:

• Round-Robin: Every wrestler in the bracket competes against each other. Great for beginners because they get guaranteed matches regardless of wins or losses.

• Double Elimination: Wrestlers must lose twice before being eliminated. Good for more experienced kids who are comfortable with bracket-style pressure.

• Dual Tournaments: Wrestlers compete as part of a team. These are great for team bonding and experiencing multiple matches in one day.

• Novice Tournaments: Restricted to first- or second-year wrestlers. Ideal for those still learning, with a focus on skill development and fair competition.

• Open Tournaments: Open to all experience levels. Competition can range from entry-level to elite, depending on who registers.

Knowing the format helps set expectations for how long the day will be and how many matches your child might wrestle.

4. Factor in Age and Weight Divisions

Tournaments group kids by age and weight, but not every event handles this the same way. Some tournaments have very specific divisions (ex: 8U, 10U, 12U), while others combine wider ranges. Be sure to check:

• Division rules and weight class cutoffs

• Whether your child is at the top or bottom of their division

• How strict the weigh-in process is (some allow weight allowances)

Ask your coach if your child’s size and age make a certain tournament more or less ideal. Being too light or too new for a division can make matches tougher than necessary.

5. Consider Travel and Time Commitment

Some tournaments require an early morning wake-up and a full day in the gym. Others involve overnight travel and hotel stays. While traveling to new places can be a great adventure, it can also be tiring and expensive—especially if your child isn’t ready for that level of commitment.

Start with local events close to home. These are easier to manage and allow your child to ease into the competition routine.

As your wrestler grows in the sport, you can gradually explore larger, travel-based tournaments—but only if it makes sense for your family and your athlete’s goals.

6. Don’t Chase Medals—Chase Experience

It’s tempting to pick tournaments where your child has a better chance of winning a medal. But wrestling success is built on experience, not just podium finishes. Sometimes the most valuable tournaments are the ones where your child wrestles tough opponents, learns from losses, and grows from challenges.

Ask yourself:

• Will this tournament help my child get better?

• Will they learn something—even if they lose?

• Are they excited and ready for the competition?

If the answer is yes, then it’s a good tournament, regardless of the medal count.

Choosing the Right Tournament Helps Build the Right Wrestler

So, how do you know which tournaments are right for your child? By looking at their experience, their confidence, their goals, and your family’s needs. With help from their coach and a little trial and error, you’ll build a tournament schedule that supports growth, minimizes pressure, and keeps the love for the sport alive.

Remember, wrestling is a journey. Every tournament—big or small—is a step forward. And as long as your child is learning, improving, and walking off the mat with their head held high, you’re already choosing the right path.