WLAG Wrestlers Document

WRESTLE. A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND ATHLETES IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING.

FOR THE PARENT AND THE ATHLETE BENEFITS OF SPORT Wrestling will teach athletes and parents various qualities, especially LEADERSHIP and PERSONAL GROWTH. The wrestling world values consistency and loyalty such as showing up on time, clear communication, setting high standards of excellence for yourself and peers, and being reliable with your weight management. Though wrestling is an individual sport, you are part of a larger team. As a child you need your parents support, logistical and emotional. You need your wrestling team and your team needs you, so the TEAM can be successful.

This sport, that is raw, is meant to test you. Having an open mind and embracing challenges helps both parents and athletes grow on and off the mat. Both, are in for a learning experience of a lifetime. One, you certainly won’t regret.

Enjoy the Process.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS Just a few of the qualities wrestling provides:

CHARACTER OVERCOMING ADVERSITY RESPECT FOR SELF AND OTHERS CONTROL EMOTIONS A STRONG TEAMMATE HARD WORK DETERMINATION VALUE OF DEPENDABILITY

SELF-DISCIPLINE SELF-CONTROL CONFIDENCE PERSEVERANCE VALUE OF NUTRITION COMRADERY OPEN MIND LEADERSHIP SKILLS PERSONAL GROWTH

“AS AN ATHLETE, YOUR TEAMMATES ARE DEPENDING ON YOU TO SHOW UP TO PRACTICE BECAUSE YOU ARE THEIR DRILL PARTNER. IF YOU ARE A PARENT, YOUR KID IS DEPENDING ON YOU TO SHOW UP AND (POSITIVELY) SUPPORT THEM AT TOURNAMENTS. IF YOU’RE A COACH, WRESTLERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE DEPENDING ON YOU TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE. THAT IS WHY WRESTLING IS SUCH A STRONG COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE. THEY ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE IN THEIR CORNER, WIN OR LOSE.” -JESSICA MEDINAUSA Women's National Developmental Coach

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FOR THE ATHLETE EXPECTATIONS

It wonʼt be easy. Yet, as they say, “nothing worth having comes easy.”

For most states, girls do not have their own division or sanctioned girls high school state tournament. Use this as an opportunity to share your love of wrestling and advocate for the sport to your club, school, state athletic association or colleges and universities about offering a separate girls team (if one does not already exist).

BE CONFIDENT. REGARDLESS OF THE GENDER OF YOUR COMPETITOR, THEY ARE WRESTLING FOR THE SAME REASONS AS YOU, FOR THE LOVE OF THE SPORT. ALL COMPETITORS DESERVE TO BE ON THE • Wrestling shoes (Found online, in select retail MAT, AS OUR SPORT ACCEPTS EVERYONE. TRUST stores and at events) YOUR TRAINING AND YOUR SKILLS WILL GROW • Singlets or wrestling shorts and shirts WITH EXPERIENCE. • Headgear/Ear guard – It is needed for all levels of scholastic wrestling and is optional for USA Wrestling and international events • Hair caps/covering - If your hair length falls below your eyes or touches the nape of your neck you will need an NFHS approved hair cap. (NFHS Imposed Rule).

• Competition: singlets or shorts and shirts - women's singlets have higher neckline and smaller arm holes.

Don't be afraid to ask the coach to order women's styles.

EQUIPMENT

PRACTICE ATTIRE VS. COMPETITION ATTIRE Bottoms - tights and sweats are the usual go-to. Going beyond comfort, they can also protect against potential abrasions. Shorts can be worn just be aware that while wrestling the garment can shift up or down reducing comfort level.

Tops - wear comfortable fitting tops. Most athletes prefer form fitting tops that not only reduce jammed fingers, but also tend to stay in place while wrestling. Female competitors need to find a sports bra that works for their impact and comfort level. Higher neck lines for both tops and sports bras reduce exposure that can happen while training or competing.

Hair - there is no regulation on hair length. Some athletes find shorter hair styles are easier to manage while others prefer to keep a longer length. Just ensure you have the ability to keep the hair out of your eyes with either braids, a pony tail or a NFHS approved haircap.

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Weight Management: Remember every body type is different.

WEIGHT CLASSES AND WEIGH-INS Wrestling is a weight class sport. We encourage athletes to wrestle as close to their natural weight class as possible. Do not focus on making weight, focus on being the best wrestler you can be at the weight classes closes to your ‘normal walking around weight’.

Weigh-inʼs occur prior to every competition. Some athletes may find weigh-in’s intimidating and that is completely normal. Be confident with your held high, shoulder back, remember to breath and focus on the fun you will be having once weigh-in’s are over.

The charts on the next pages are the latest regulations for Women’s Age Divisions along with Weight Class.

USA WRESTLING. (2018, November 7). USA Wrestling announces age-division name changes, effective immediately. https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling

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WEIGHT CLASSES AND WEIGH-INS

USA WRESTLING. (2018, November 7). USA Wrestling announces age-division name changes, effective immediately. https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling

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FOR THE PARENT EXPECTATIONS Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the world. Yet, girls are barely being allowed to compete, centuries later. In the past, primarily men have been allowed to participate at every level.

However, females are on a vigorous climb for equality in the sport because they know the true value of wrestling and the capacity of benefits it carries for themselves.

Tremendous growth has been made in the game since the sport was born; none of which is possible without relentless women; such as your daughters. Unfortunately, there are still many walls to be broken down. Your daughter, will play a vital role by simply participating.

Watching your daughter's compete on the mat will be rewarding and heartbreaking. You will witness their development through physical performance, but of utmost importance; as individuals off the mat as well. Your child will need your emotional support. If you ride with her on her journey, you will be rewarded as well.

“I CAN'T IMAGINE ANOTHER SPORT THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN MY DAUGHTER SO MUCH CONFIDENCE AND MENTAL TOUGHNESS, AND I BELIEVE THAT THESE ARE QUALITIES WE WANT ALL GIRLS TO DEVELOP." -PAULA MAROULISMother of Olympic Champion; Helen Maroulis

You will watch as your daughter walks away with a victory and her head humbly held high. You will also watch as your daughter walks away with a loss; she will learn to hold her head still just as high.

CONFIDENCE IS NEVER BROKEN. Mental strength will develop and reach amazing potential which is crucial to overall personal growth and athletic development.

Although your daughter pinning her opponent to the mat fills you with great pride and joy, your daughter working hard and fighting for what she believes in and truly enjoys, will be the most victorious feeling you as a parent will ever experience.

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REMEMBER TO ENJOY The most crucial aspect of the whole journey through wrestling; is to simply enjoy every moment. Despite a loss or win, your child will always look to you before, during, and after a match. Your reaction, will effect their experience just as much as the result. They want to make you proud. Always find the positives and let them know.

“RESEARCH TAUGHT ME THAT FROM ABOUT 8-11 YEARS OLD, A GIRLS MAIN ROLE MODEL WILL BE HER PARENTS. FROM 12-18 YEARS OF AGE IT IS GENERALLY HER PEERS." -HELEN MAROULISOLYMPIC CHAMPION

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REFERENCES Helen Maroulis For God and Country. (2017 Feb. 2). Why Girls Should Wrestle. Retrieved from http://www.helenmaroulis.com/blog/why-girls-should-wrestle USA WRESTLING. (2018 Nov. 7). USA Wrestling announces age-division name changes, effective immediately. Retrieved from https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling USA WRESTLING. (2018 April 26). The Social Benefits of Wrestling. Retrieved from https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2018/April/26/The-Social-Benefits-ofWrestling

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