Frequently Asked Questions
CLUB & PARENT INFO
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Wrestling offers numerous benefits for kids, fostering physical, mental, and emotional growth. Through regular practice, children develop enhanced strength, agility, balance, and endurance. Wrestling promotes discipline, self-control, and the importance of hard work, instilling valuable life skills that extend beyond the mat.
It cultivates self-confidence as kids set and achieve goals, learn to overcome challenges, and build a strong sense of identity. Moreover, wrestling teaches sportsmanship, respect for opponents, and teamwork, nurturing positive social interactions and building lasting friendships. Overall, wrestling empowers kids with a holistic foundation for personal development, health, and character building.
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T-shirt, shorts (or sweatpants), and wrestling shoes are required for each practice.
Shop Wrestling Gear from your local stores: Academy Sports or Dick’s Sporting Goods
Headgear, mouth guard, and a water bottle are strongly encouraged but not required. A knee pad is also optional based on a wrestler’s preference.
Wrestlers must also have a valid USA Wrestling Card in order to practice. Sign up for USA Wrestling Card here.
***NO regular street or tennis shoes are not allowed on the wrestling mats at any time. The wrestler can still practice bare foot or with socks on.***
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Yes, all wrestling MUST have a USA Wrestling Card in order to participate throughout the season (regardless of competition).
Set up an account at USA Wrestling. This is also where you can add your affiliate Wrestling Club and register for tournaments.
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Getting started is easy! We offer trial sessions for new wrestlers and always welcome visitors to observe a practice. Just [link to sign-up form or contact page]
We’ll guide you through next steps, including gear, scheduling, and registration. Whether your child is ready to hit the mat or just wants to see what it’s all about, we’d love to welcome you to our wrestling family.
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Please view our Readiness Assessment and Tips for Tournaments before signing up for competition. Common requirements include:
USA Wrestling card is required for all tournament registration.
Singlet is required and needed at tournament weigh ins.
Wrestling shoes are required.
Healthy food, snacks, and hydration i.e.. sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, water, Gatorade.
Headgear is optional for Div. 1 wrestlers and above. Tots division (5 Yr. olds) must have a headgear.
A mouth guard is optional but highly recommended.
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Wrestling is a combat sport that involves grappling techniques such as clinch fighting, throws, takedowns, pins, and joint locks. The rules of wrestling can vary depending on the specific style, but in general, here’s an overview of common rules:
1. Objective: The primary objective is to either pin your opponent's shoulders to the mat for a certain duration (usually a few seconds) or to accumulate points by executing controlled takedowns, throws, and other techniques.
2. Weight Classes: Wrestlers are divided into weight classes to ensure fair competition based on size and weight.
3. Match Duration: Matches are divided into 3 rounds or periods. The total duration of a match and the number of rounds can vary. Each round is usually 1-2 minutes long.
4. Scoring: Points are awarded for various actions, such as takedowns, escapes, reversals, and back exposure.
5. Pins: A pin occurs when one wrestler holds both of their opponent's shoulders on the mat for 2-3 seconds. This results in an immediate victory for the wrestler who achieves the pin.
6. Out of Bounds: Wrestlers are expected to stay within the designated wrestling area. If both wrestlers go out of bounds, the referee will reset them in the center of the mat.
7. Illegal Moves: Certain techniques and actions are considered illegal, such as eye gouging, hair pulling, striking, and using excessive force. Engaging in illegal moves can result in penalties or disqualification.
8. Uniform and Equipment: Wrestlers typically wear a specific uniform consisting of a singlet, wrestling shoes, and headgear.
9. Refereeing: Matches are officiated by referees who enforce the rules, award points, and ensure the safety of the wrestlers.
10. Disqualification: Wrestlers can be disqualified for serious rule violations or unsportsmanlike conduct. Accumulation of a certain number of penalty points can also result in disqualification.
There are different styles of wrestling, each with its own set of rules and variations. The most popular styles include folkstyle (American collegiate wrestling), freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling, both of which are Olympic sports.
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Yes, when properly coached and supervised, wrestling is a safe sport—safer than many other contact sports. At our club, safety is a top priority. We teach proper technique, body awareness, and sportsmanship from day one.
Wrestling is a controlled, individual sport with strict rules that minimize injury. Our coaches emphasize injury prevention through warm-ups, conditioning, and skill progression appropriate to each child’s age and ability.
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Absolutely. Wrestling is one of the few sports that equally benefits both shy and assertive kids—but in very different ways. For quieter or more reserved children, wrestling builds self-confidence, physical coordination, and a sense of accomplishment through individual progress.
For kids with high energy or natural aggressiveness, wrestling provides structure, discipline, and a constructive outlet for that intensity. It’s a personal-growth sport that meets kids where they are and helps them rise.
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Kids can begin wrestling as early as 4 or 5 years old, and we offer age-appropriate programs for all experience levels. Our beginner sessions focus on fun, movement, and basic body awareness, while older or more advanced wrestlers dive deeper into technique and strategy. Whether your child is new to sports or already an athlete, we have a place for them to grow and thrive on the mat.
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Yes—wrestling is for everyone, and girls are not only welcomed but thriving in the sport. Girls’ wrestling is the fastest-growing segments nationally, and our club is proud to support and empower female wrestlers. We provide an inclusive and encouraging environment for all athletes, and several of our top performers are girls who started just like your child might—curious and ready to try something new.
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Costs typically include:
Seasonal club membership = $600-$750 (5 months Oct.-Feb.) or $100-$150 (monthly)
Gear (like wrestling shoes and headgear) = $100 (yearly)
USA Wrestling card = $80 (yearly)
Tournament entry fees $30-$50
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We offer flexible practice schedules based on age and skill level, typically ranging from 2 to 4 sessions per week. Tournaments are optional but encouraged, especially as wrestlers build confidence and want to test their skills. We recommend all middle schoolers to think about competing if they are going to wrestle in High School.