Well, I'm 15 going into 9th grade. I want to start wrestling for the conditioning, takedowns, Takedown defense for MMA. I want to be an MMA fighter when I'm older. Now I'm 15, It's summer (so no wrestling for the school team) and I was thinking of just going to a wrestling camp this summer. The thing is that I will feel weird, most kids have been wrestling since they were 5, and I don't even know any Takedown besides a single and double leg? And I probably am doing that wrong too. I feel bummed.
Oh, and I started BJJ when I was 27 (29 now) and I keep asking myself over and over, how things would have been if I started at, say- 15...
No, it's not too late. A lot of people have to have the perfect circumstances to start something. It is never going to be perfect, and you should not let the age bother you. I train BJJ myself, and I hate when bash one style over another. Everyone thinks their gym or school is the best, and thats the way it should be. The important things is that you are out there doing something useful. I don't let the many styles of martial arts or wrestling in your case prevent you from getting started. Join one of them and do your best. You are on the right track. It is important also to look at the alternative. Many people are indecisive about starting wrestling or martial arts and instead they either sit on the couch or go join some cardio yoga/kickboxing class. For wanting to start wrestling you are headed in the right direction, and you should go for it.
When I was 17 I could have joined the wrestling team, but decided not to since I thought I wouldn't get anywhere having never wrestled before. I regret my decision almost daily. I wound up taking up wrestling at 20, I lost three years due to stupidity. Join the team, wrestling is the most important part of mma.
i started when i was 21 at the school club. everyone that's wrestled in this area has been doing it since they were little kids (san jose area) so they naturally have more experience. I had my first matches at menlo this past and stanford and other d1 schools showed up. Coach even said that there was an olympian wrestling there just to beat up on guys...can't remember his name. In any case, it was a frightening experience my first match. It is very hostile and crazy, but by my second match i was really enjoying it. I lost all 3 via gassing TFO and just not knowing enough technique. I did take a guy down though, so it wasn't a complete loss. I learn pretty quickly, but it's a pretty brutal sport, as many here can tell you. It's been great though, i can't wait for next season. I'm getting in shape right now to prepare, and the adrenaline rush. You are still very young, i wouldn't worry about it at all. Who knows, may you will be a natural at it. I went into wrestling knowing absolutely nothing. I would just go to open mat at one of the high schools and get my ass handed to me until i adjusted.
I started at 15 and almost placed my Senior year, so don't sweat it. Don't go in there talking shit about how you want to become a MMA fighter. Learn wrestling to learn wrestling not what it can add to your MMA game.
Considering that I just recently started incorporating wrestling into my game and I'm 47. I would say........ NO!
Contact the coach at your high school. Tell him you will be joining the team in the fall. Ask him what he recommends you do in the mean time. He might be running optional practices, or recommend a particular camp.
Many champions started in 9th grade. And trust me, not everyone started when they were 5. Join the team and work hard, you'll be fine. Much like all grappling sports, there is a learning curve, so just expect to take some lumps for a while. After a season or two you'll be a machine.
Thirty years from now you're going to read about some 15 year old asking if its too late to start something, and laugh - you're young enough to start anything and have a good chance of succeeding. Go for it. PS - wrestling is very hard to pick up outside of school (high school and college), there aren't many private clubs. Anyone interested in doing any kind of grappling (judo, BJJ, sub etc) who's still in high school should run, not walk, to the club and join up right away.
I contacted the coach. He does summer small lessons. Open mat every wednsay. He said he will show me some things before the season starts in November.
my friend started wrestling in 9th grade and had an ok record then the next year he won states. Just do it, it will be cool and if you have friends on the team then no biggie.
Join it I started at 19 in college and although I took a beating, (got two more years) and Ive been through some rough times, but when I go back to jiu jistu where the guys at my school have limited takedowns, I take them down and am known as the wrestler. It will hlep you, tkae it.
I know a guy who started wrestling his sophomore year and placed 4th in state(Florida) as a senior. It's not too late for ya, have fun and good luck.
No way dude. Don't make the mistake and think you're too old because others have been doing it longer. Don't expect to be able to beat them the first month or even necessarily the first year. Just take it one day at a time. You will progress much faster than everyone else because you're new to it. That means every minute you spend on the mat you're gaining ground on them. I started training martial arts when I was 17. Best decesion I've made in my entire life. Summer camp is the perfect time to get started too because it will be a slower pace and you can ease yourself into it.
