Is it safe? That’s one of the first questions most parents ask themselves when their child is starting a new, unknown sport. Wrestling is a contact sport and from the outside looking in, it looks like a fight. However, there are a variety of reasons why wrestling is the safer option for kids compared to other contact sports.

The Rules Of Wrestling Are Geared Around Safety

As mentioned above, if you're unfamiliar with wrestling, it might look unsafe. Like most contact sports, there are instances where wrestlers get cut or injured. However, once you learn the rules, it’s clear that there are thoughtful regulations put in place in order to protect every athlete. Here’s a list of just some of the things that are illegal in wrestling:

• Hitting/punching
• Slamming
• Forcing an opponent's limb against a joint
• Eye pokes
• Covering the mouth/restricting breathing

We could continue to outline the illegal moves in wrestling but that list would be rather long. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the NFHS rulebook with illustrations here. 

On top of the rules, there is a referee designated to enforce those rules and ensure the safety of both wrestlers during every match. In fact, sometimes there are even two referees assigned to each wrestling match. Now, compare this to other contact sports that have 2 or 3 referees trying to enforce rules and safety for 10-22 players at a time. It’s much simpler for referees to enforce safety in wrestling because the referees have fewer athletes to manage.

Studies Show Wrestling Is Safer Than Other Contact Sports

Along with a ruleset crafted around safety, studies have shown that wrestling is safer than other contact sports. Study after study has found that sports like Football, Cheerleading, Cycling, Skateboarding, and soccer are more dangerous than wrestling. We’ll link to some of those studies below, and it's clear these studies repeatedly show that the frequency and severity of injury are higher in those compared to wrestling. 

Check out these 5 articles detailing the safety of various youth sports:

• A study from Rice Emergency Room
• 5 most dangerous sports study
• 8 Most dangerous sports study
• 7 most dangerous sports study
• General statistics on injuries in youth sports

Wrestling Teaches You How To NOT Get Hurt

One of the most important factors to consider in this topic is what wrestling teaches athletes. Many sports teach the value of hard work, discipline, teamwork, etc. However, wrestling is unique in that it teaches an individual how to control one's own body and how to control another's body. 

This aspect is crucial considering the topic of sports safety. Body control isn’t just important during competition but will influence a wrestler’s life outside of the wrestling room. Wrestling teaches an individual how to protect themselves when falling - a valuable skill that could contribute to overall safety while playing other sports or outside of any competition.

The overall point of wrestling is to develop skills that will help you control another individual. For children, this skill could prove essential in self-defense. It’s unfortunate that this is a point of emphasis to consider but bullying is a frequent problem throughout schools. A young person who is trained in wrestling will be able to neutralize any threat posed by a peer who might be attempting to inflict harm on an individual.