[blindkid] wrestling

[Steve Jacobson]

Many years ago, I wrestled for the school for the blind here in Minnesota.  We had a mixed schedule of some other schools for the blind but mostly area public 
schools.  However, the structure of our practices was very similar to that described below.  There are some wrestling moves that could be taught best with a little 
individual attention, but as noted below, the fact that one cannot wrestle without a partner builds in much of what one needs to learn various moves.  <smile>  

If there are questions that any of us can answer, please let us know.  At least in the past, blind wrestlers were not uncommon at all.  Most of the schools for the blind 
used to have wrestling teams and most of those wrestled compettitively against public schools.  In addition, I know of quite a number of blind wrestlers who also 
wrestled in mainstream schools.  Some have gone on to wrestle in college with some success, but the rules were different and there was not the constant contact 
rule that exists in high school, unless this has changed, but blind wrestlers worked around that.  I did not wrestle in college because I was sick of watching weight to 
the degree that one has to in some cases.  Still, it is probably the physical sport in which we can compete most equally.  These many years later, I still feel I benefit 
from what I learned and developed regarding balance.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:19:17 EST, EMMOL at aol.com wrote:

> 
>Becky, 
>My son wrestled in our local youth wrestling program during elementary  
>school & really enjoyed it.
>He learned the moves as everyone else did. Sometimes when teaching a  new 
>technique they demonstrated it using Patrick. That way he was going through  
>it as well as getting the verbal. They all practiced with a partner. When  
>running their laps he ran with a friend. During meets, one of the coaches 
>walked  with him to the center of the mat. Constant contact was reviewed  with 
>the opponent. All of the refs were familiar with the technique and it  was 
>never a problem. (I was more nervous than he ever was during matches!) What  
>a smile on that first win! Unfortunately it became more competitive in 
>Middle  School. He wasn't able to make weight. (He was always slight.) But he  
>continued to practice with the team.
> 
>Eventually he gave up wrestling and concentrated on his golf which he had  
>started around the same time. He continues to golf, is a member of the 
>Junior  Blind Golf Assoc. and worked at a golf course this summer teaching golf 
>to kids.  He can't wait for the snow to melt so he can get out on the course 
>again!
>Eileen
> 
>Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:33:56 -0600
>From: Becky Mondor  <beckym1027 at gmail.com>
>To: "blindkid at nfbnet.org"  <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>Subject: [blindkid] Wrestling
>Message-ID:  <87C2571B-AE1A-4F19-AC76-55620932B959 at gmail.com>
>Content-Type:  text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed; delsp=yes

>Hi  everyone,

>My son Noah is 10 and would like to join the local youth  wrestling  
>league.  I know that this is a very popular sport for  many blind youth  
>because the two wrestling remain in contact with  eachother throughout  
>the match.  However,  this is where my  knowledge begins and ends!   I  
>was wondering if anyone else  has experience with this that could give  
>me some helpful tips for his  coach?  I am excited he wants to do  
>this,  it will be great  exercise and a chance for him to be a part of  
>a team sport.  I  just want to make it as successful as possible!    
>Thanks!

>Becky in Indiana

>Sent from my  iPod


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