Stop the Slam Mishaps by Stop Slamming

Another controversial story came out, this time out of Tennessee, about slams and then losing the match when the opponent "can't" continue. It's the same story every time in the post-season, team and individual, where slams cause controversial wins. Most notably, the Pennsylvania Team State fiasco shined a light on it but the real issue is with the offending wrestlers aka the slammers and not the slammees. 

The rule can't be changed. If you break a kid's shoulder because you slammed him Matt Hughes style, you shouldn't win that match no matter how much better you were than the kid. You take away the rule and hurting a kid for six points may be easier than properly sinking a half and pinning him. It seems excessive, but it's the only way it has to be. It's a scholastic sport and not cage fighting.

Lifting (opponents off the mat) was one of my favorite things to do as a wrestler. I teach that it's very hard to scramble out of a shot when you're in the air. Bonus love from me is when you can half them on the way down (if you have them in the air, you got some time). We all know it is a great mat return especially when you have a two-on-one and you can even go right in to a tilt series. These were some of my favorite things and my illegal slam career total sits at zero. I readily admit I was merely an above average wrestler but I don't feel this side of the story is getting mentioned.

If you don't want to get called, stop slamming kids! Most of the time the wrestler is the much better wrestler. They have the ability to lift and return safely. It should be taught and lesser wrestlers should also know the rule just in case they end up in the situation. It really boils down to just not slamming kids and then it's not an issue. Take some responsibility, a rare thing these days, and admit that every one of these situations started with a kid not properly returning a kid to the mat.