The Handshake vs. The Fist Bump in Youth Wrestling
I’m noticing a disturbing trend in youth wrestling this season. The fist bump is starting to overtake the handshake among coaches when greeting the opposing wrestler at the end of a match. I believe youth coaches must stop this trend in it’s tracks before it goes any further.
Traditionally, wrestlers always shake their opponents hand at the beginning and end of a match. In addition, each wrestler normally shakes the opposing coaches hand at the end of a match. I’ve noticed in college wrestling and senior level freestyle wrestling that this often does not happen. However, in youth wrestling, 99.9% of coaches require their young wrestlers to participate in this tradition.
The Coaches Handshake is a Tradition We Must Maintain
I understand it’s flu season, and shaking hands is not the most sanitary practice. However, call me an old timer if you want, I believe the handshake is a tradition that we must maintain. In my humble opinion, the fist bump is not a replacement for the handshake by a coach. It may work between friends in a casual environment. But it’s a utter lack of respect for a coach to give a fist bump to a young wrestler after they toed the line to compete in the oldest and greatest sport.
In the youth wrestling club my sons wrestle with, our head coach requires each wrestler to shake the coaches hand after the end of each practice. Each wrestler must look the coaches in the eyes, thank them, and give a firm handshake. The coaches respond with the same firm handshake, look in the eyes, and an acknowledgement that the wrestler had a good practice. This is a small lesson of respect to teach young wrestlers to be young men. A fist bump can not replace this act of respect.
I urge all youth wrestling coaches to abandon the fist bump at the end of matches. If you are concerned about catching the cooties, then keep some hand sanitizer in your pocket. Let’s maintain the traditions of our sport, and continue to use a firm handshake as our symbol of respecting our opponents.