What Should I Do If My Child Gets Hurt During Wrestling Practice or a Match?

Wrestling is a physically demanding sport that requires strength, agility, and endurance. While it is generally safe when proper techniques and safety measures are followed, injuries can still happen, just like in any other contact sport. As a parent, knowing how to respond when your child gets hurt during practice or a match is crucial for their recovery and continued participation in the sport.

This guide will help you understand what to do if your child is injured, when to seek medical attention, and how to support their recovery effectively.

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

If your child gets hurt during wrestling practice or a match, your first instinct may be to panic, but staying calm and composed will help your child stay calm as well. Coaches and referees are trained to handle injuries and will often assess the situation first.

If your child is:

Conscious and responsive, encourage them to stay still while being checked for injuries.
Showing visible distress or in pain, let the coach or medical personnel take the lead in assessing the injury.
Unresponsive or unable to move, do not attempt to move them—this could make the injury worse. Medical personnel should be contacted immediately.

2. Identify the Type of Injury

Wrestling injuries can range from minor strains to more serious conditions. Understanding the type of injury can help you determine the best course of action.

Minor Injuries That Can Be Managed at Home:

Bruises and Mat Burns: Minor scrapes, redness, or bruising from contact with the mat or an opponent.
Sprains and Strains: Mild pain or swelling in joints or muscles from overstretching.
Nosebleeds: Common in wrestling, usually caused by accidental contact.

Injuries That May Require Medical Attention:

Concussions: Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, or confusion.
Dislocations or Fractures: Severe pain, swelling, or visible deformity in a joint or limb.
Severe Cuts or Bleeding: Deep wounds that don’t stop bleeding with applied pressure.
Neck or Spinal Injuries: Numbness, tingling, or loss of movement in any part of the body.

3. Follow Immediate First Aid Steps

For minor injuries, use the R.I.C.E. method to help with pain and swelling:

Rest: Have your child take a break and avoid putting pressure on the injured area.
Ice: Apply an ice pack (wrapped in a cloth) for 15-20 minutes every few hours to reduce swelling.
Compression: Use an elastic bandage to wrap the injured joint or muscle for support.
Elevation: Keep the injured area raised to reduce swelling.

For nosebleeds, have your child lean forward slightly and pinch the soft part of their nose for 5-10 minutes. Avoid tilting their head back, as this can cause blood to run down their throat.

If your child has a deep cut or wound, apply firm pressure with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. If it does not stop within a few minutes, seek medical attention.

4. When to Seek Medical Help

Certain injuries require immediate medical evaluation. Seek emergency medical attention if your child experiences:

Loss of consciousness or confusion after a head injury.
Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
A broken bone or dislocated joint.
Severe swelling, numbness, or inability to move a limb.
Uncontrollable bleeding or a deep wound that won’t close.

For concussions, even if your child does not lose consciousness, they should stop wrestling immediately and be evaluated by a doctor. Do not allow them to return to practice or competition until they receive medical clearance.

5. Communicate with Coaches and Trainers

If your child is injured, keep their coaches and trainers informed. They need to know how long your child will be out and if any modifications need to be made when they return. Many wrestling programs follow return-to-play protocols to ensure wrestlers are fully recovered before resuming full-contact training.

Ask the coach:

How long should my child rest before returning?
Are there alternative exercises they can do while recovering?
What safety precautions can be taken to prevent similar injuries?

Good communication with coaches helps ensure a smooth and safe return to wrestling.

6. Support Your Child’s Recovery

Recovering from an injury can be frustrating, especially for young wrestlers eager to get back on the mat. As a parent, you play a key role in supporting their recovery and keeping them motivated.

Encourage Rest and Patience

Remind your child that proper healing is more important than rushing back.
Follow doctor’s recommendations for recovery time.

Keep Them Engaged in Wrestling

Even if they can’t practice, encourage them to watch film, attend team meetings, and learn from the sidelines.
Staying engaged keeps them mentally sharp and motivated to return.

Rebuild Strength and Conditioning Gradually

Once cleared by a doctor, start with light stretching and non-contact exercises.
Focus on strengthening the injured area to prevent future injuries.

Emphasize Mental Toughness

Wrestling teaches resilience, and overcoming injuries is part of that journey.
Encourage your child to stay positive and focus on their progress.

7. Take Preventive Measures to Reduce Future Injuries

While injuries can’t always be avoided, taking precautions helps minimize risks.

Ways to Prevent Wrestling Injuries:

Warm Up Properly: Encourage a good warm-up routine before every practice.
Strengthen the Body: A strong body resists injury better—focus on core, joint stability, and flexibility.
Use Proper Technique: Poor technique increases injury risk—listen to coaches and practice safe moves.
Wear Protective Gear: Ensure your child wears properly fitted headgear, knee pads, and mouthguards.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: Good nutrition and hydration help muscles recover and prevent cramps.

A well-conditioned and properly trained wrestler is less likely to get injured and can return to the mat stronger and healthier.

Injuries Are Part of Sports, But Proper Care Ensures a Safe Return

Wrestling is a tough sport, but with proper preparation, safety measures, and recovery strategies, injuries can be managed and minimized. If your child gets hurt during practice or a match, stay calm, assess the injury, provide first aid, and seek medical attention if necessary.

By communicating with coaches, following recovery plans, and reinforcing injury prevention habits, your child can return to the mat stronger, healthier, and more confident. Wrestling teaches resilience, perseverance, and discipline, and learning how to overcome setbacks is just another part of becoming a great athlete.