If you have a wrestler in your family, chances are, they have some interest in mixed martial arts, or MMA. Perhaps they watch episodes of the weekly reality series "Ultimate Fighter" and pay-per-view events from UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) and similar organizations that draw huge numbers of fans to arenas and at home watching on TV.

Perhaps your wrestler has talked about enrolling in an MMA training facility or camp to learn new skills and enhance their conditioning for wrestling. They may have even expressed an interest in an MMA career for themselves, having seen a number of top former amateur wrestlers find success in MMA competition.

As a parent, you may have even considered encouraging your wrestler to explore the possibilities of MMA, whether it's for the multi-disciplinary approach that enhances wrestling skills, the opportunity for greater conditioning in the off-season, or with the hope that of a potentially lucrative career.

For all these reasons, it makes sense for wrestlers and their parents to learn more about mixed martial arts... what to consider when selecting an MMA training program... and perspectives on launching a possible MMA career.

HIGH SCHOOL COACHES WEIGH IN ON MMA
Steve Goudy is head wrestling coach at Troy Christian High School, back-to-back Division III team champions at the Ohio state tournament in 2007 and 2008... crowning four individual champions in March 2008. The Eagles are one of the top-ranked programs in the U.S., going up against other prep powerhouses such as Blair Academy (New Jersey), St. Paris Graham (Ohio) and St. Edward in suburban Cleveland.

"My guys are into (MMA), following it regularly," according to coach Goudy. "They get together to watch pay-per-view events."

"Guys I train here are wrestling towards a college scholarship. From what I understand, most MMA guys are coming out of college, not high school... It's a huge leap from amateur wrestling to MMA. You need that college experience, the physical and mental maturation."

"Our sport is such a good base for MMA," continues Goudy. "All those years of training, all that conditioning, not to mention specific skills they've acquired."

When asked if MMA could serve as a means to get young people into amateur wrestling, Steve Goudy responds, "This generation is tuned into MMA. However, I haven't had any kid come up to me, saying they want to start wrestling because of MMA, but that could happen down the road.

A PARENT'S PERSPECTIVE ON WRESTLING AND MMA
Mike Lyons can offer a multi-faceted view of wrestling and mixed martial arts, as a former Division I athlete himself (he was a gymnast at Iowa State)... as someone who runs CrossFit Troy, a gym in Troy, Ohio that serves a wide range of customers, including local high school wrestlers... and, as a father of Mitch Lyons, a former high school and college wrestler who, having successfully competed as an amateur in mixed martial arts, is now becoming an MMA professional.

"From what I see, high school kids don't express much interest in getting into MMA," says Mike Lyons. "It's not a high school sport. It doesn't fit the high school mindset of being on a team."

"That said, a lot of high school kids love MMA. They watch pay-per-view events, follow it online."

"Some guys are getting into jiu-jitsu, muay thai, wanting to learn one discipline at a time."

"By its name, mixed martial arts requires competing in more than one style. Kids haven't had a chance to learn multiple skills like boxing, wrestling, judo, etc."

When asked what it's like to see his son Mitch compete in MMA events, Mike Lyons responds, "It's shocking to see at first - no headgear, minimal gloves. You know how wound up some parents of wrestlers are at wrestling matches? Multiply that by ten (for MMA)."

"As a parent of someone in MMA, my mindset has changed... I appreciate the discipline of the referees and officials... It looks like a free-for-all to novices but a fight is called right away if a fighter is in trouble."

"MMA is safer than boxing. In MMA, fights are stopped right away, whether someone is knocked out, or because of a submission hold."

"We haven't seen (Mitch) get beat up yet. I may feel differently if that happened."

"Wrestling would be considered the foundation for MMA success... All matches go to the mat. A good wrestler can take a boxer down. You can teach a wrestler striking skills pretty quickly. In fact, I think it's easier to teach a wrestler how to punch, than it is to teach a boxer all that's involved in wrestling."

"Amateur wrestling can be a ‘feeder' for MMA," says the owner of the CrossFit gym in Troy, Ohio. "After they get their degrees, they want to continue wrestling... My son was lost after his wrestling career was over. MMA is a way to leverage all he learned and all his hard work, and possibly a way to make a good living."

To read the complete article and get more great training tips and information for wrestlers and parents, check out wrestlingcampguide.com or order your copy of The Ultimate Guide to Wrestling Camps today at http://www.wrestlingcampguide.com