WHY WRESTLE?
What does a young person need to become a Life Champion?
Character. Discipline. Grit. Delayed gratification. Hard work. Commitment. Self improvement. Confidence. Resiliency. Focus. Perseverance. Commitment. Humility. Honor.
Wrestling teaches all this and more... Strength. Flexibility. Fitness. Balance. Agility. Control. Mental and physical toughness.
Best of all: wrestling is fun and available to anyone willing to put in the work. Wrestling is the single greatest vehicle for self improvement in sport and an opportunity to become a Life Champion.
"Wrestling changed my life," said every wrestle ever. Let it change your child's life for the better.
WHY BEAT THE STREETS?
We are literally in your corner.
Beat the Streets coaches are USA Wrestling-certified men and women who ascribe to our values-based coaching model. Our coach:wrestler ratio is among the highest in youth sports, ensuring every child receives attention and training.
Wrestlers can participate at the level that works for them. Regular practices offer fun, fitness and physical literacy. Athletes will find a robust schedule of weekend workshops, tournaments and elite visiting clinicians. Life skills enrichment activities are available to those student-athletes wanting to engage more deeply. Buy-in and commitment are the only requirements.
We may be the largest wrestling organization in Illinois, but we feel like a family. Every wrestler, regardless of age or ability, matters to us.
CAN ANYONE WRESTLE?
Yes!
Beat the Streets welcomes all Chicago youth aged 5 - 18. We have beginners programs and opportunities for more advanced athletes, including a robust schedule of weekend tournaments and clinics.
Girls make up 20% of our athletes - and that's growing!
Wrestling is unique in that children of all sizes can participate.
Financial assistance is available to all wrestlers who need it.
HOW YOUNG CAN YOU START WRESTLING?
Our wrestlers can start with us as early as age 5. However, we feel strongly that our "Tots Programs" focus on fun and physical literacy. We believe that the most important goal of youth wrestling is to instill a life-long love of the sport and commitment to healthy living.
DO BTSC WRESTLERS COMPETE?
Yes!
Although "winning" is not our primary focus, it certainly is a happy outcome as we pursue excellence!
Beat the Streets Chicago offers plenty of opportunities for advanced wrestlers interested in competing on the regional, state, national and collegiate levels. We have some of the best coaches in the business and regularly bring in world-class clinicians for elite workouts.
We host our own tournaments throughout the year and bring our advanced wrestlers to tournaments throughout the region. We are proud of our many wrestlers competing at IKWF States, IHSA States, Fargo and other notable venues.
HOW DOES THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM WORK?
High School wrestling in the US is a winter sport, competing between November - February. Chicago athletes are part of the Illinois State High School Association (IHSA).
During the winter, athletes compete with their high school teams. We make our Midway facility available to high school programs during the winter for "open mat" sessions, in partnership with the high school coaches.
Beat the Streets Chicago runs "off season" programs for high school wrestlers in Fall, Spring and Summer.
OUR VALUES
Everything we do at Beat the Streets is rooted in the culture of wrestling and our five values: accountability, gratitude, grit, integrity and excellence.
