Great read! I can tell you from my own personal experience with my son, that this article is right on point. My youngest started at 4 and found success right away. Out of my own ignorance and zeal for his success, I allowed him begin competing nationally by the age of 7. Soon thereafter he began to compete year round and following the FS/GR state championship he started showing signs of burnout and wanted to quit by the age of 9.
He has since taken a full year off. I gave him space and allowed him to choose when to come back.Recently he came back to the mat and will compete at a limited schedule (30 matches max). The moral and lesson learned for me is to start them later 8 or 9, and to allow them to make more choices. Providing him with the space to choose when e came back gave him a greater appreciation for the sport. There was no better feeling than him coming home from practice and telling me that he loves this great sport again!