Children’s attention span is short. Keep them moving onto something new to keep them engaged. For a 60 minute practice, change direction every 10 minutes.

1. 10 minutes of technique
2. 10 minutes of live or conditioning
3. 10 minute drilling
4. 5 minute break to drink water, drinking water is important for safety. It also helps fighters to work harder.
5. 10 minutes of technique
6. 5 minutes or drilling
7. 10 minutes of live wrestling
8. 5 to 10 minutes of games

Now if you are a little interested in math, you noticed that there are over 60 minutes counted up. Always prepare for more time than you think you have. It’s easier to drop something that you don’t have time to think of as you go. Always end with something fun, something that makes them want to come back for more practice.

1. 10 minutes of game conditioning
2. 5 minutes of technique
3. 5 minute drilling
4. 5 minutes of hard conditioning
5. 5 minute break to drink water, drinking water is important for safety. It also helps fighters to work harder.
6. 10 minutes of technique
7. 5 minutes or drilling
8. 10 minutes of live wrestling
9. 5 to 10 minutes of games

The above program is another approach I use to regain control of practice. Observe the shorter time intervals and start with some fun conditioning. The shorter times are due to children having very short attention spans and it is easier to keep them engaged than trying to regain them after they have lost interest. Sure, you can yell louder or try to intimidate them into going back to work. If you find yourself falling into this habit, ask yourself these questions. Do I want to be treated like this? Do I respond to this type of motivation? Do I want my child to be treated this way? The other adjustment begins with some conditioning. This burns some of the energy accumulated during school and allows the wrestlers to focus during the technique session.

Here are some tips to keep the practice moving in a positive direction. Remember that you are working with children; not soldiers, college kids, or Olympians.

1. Use short learning sessions.
2. Be on the lookout for boredom or loss of interest. It’s not disrespectful to you, it’s just being 8 years old.
3. Always have a new activity to re-engage the kids.
4. Include water breaks, drinking water during practice is a safety issue. It is not a hardness problem.
5. Use the water break to refocus on the rest of the practice. This can be difficult, because parents or other coaches may see this as a time to discuss concerns or the weather.
6. Have a written plan for each practice. This shows parents that you are prepared. It allows you to hand over parts of practice to other coaches.
7. Include other coaches and parents. You’re showing singles, doubles and a half nelson at 8 years. Most right bipeds can step in and help children or offer praise to motivate them.
8. Be silly when you feel angry. People avoid unpleasant situations and gravitate towards situations that make them laugh.

Consider taking a training class, reading a training text, attending a clinic, and earning a USA Wrestling certification. No one has all the answers and these experiences will give you skills and confidence.

Remind wrestlers and parents to shower or bathe after practice and competition. The less everyone has to deal with rashes, bumps, and itching, the better.