Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is included in my registration fees?

Entry fees for 3 local tournaments, a practice shirt, a pair of practice shorts, a sweatshirt, sweat pants, and a skilled coaching staff for all ages.

My child is in X grade, is it too late to get started in the sport?

No – it is never too late to start. Our club welcomes any student at any time. Our coaches will work with each wrestler so that s/he can get down the basic moves plus some.

This is my child's first year, is s/he ready to compete?

Often the sport of wrestling is misunderstood and it is the fear of the unknown that keeps people away. The first time we try anything new, the nerves put a little fear in us. First year wrestlers can benefit from competition. Once the first match has been completed, the nerves settle. Competition in our club is strictly voluntary. However, the coaches encourage all wrestlers to at least try competing in the Summit developmental or beginner tournaments.  Talk to a coach about your child, readiness.

Does the wrestler have to attend every practice?

One of our goals is to get youth exposed and interested in the sport of wrestling. We know that there are other events that families are interested in exposing their children to. Attend when you can. If you don't understand a technique or something else at practice, speak up – let the coach know that you don't know the move or terminology. We don't take attendance.

What does the wrestler wear to practice?

Every wrestler must be clean, have fingernails trimmed, and have proper attire before each practice. Black shorts, grey t-shirt, and clean socks are mandatory. You can wear headgear (recommended), wrestling shoes, and a mouth guard also. Jewelry, watches, jeans, street shoes and bare feet are prohibited. ABSOLUTELY NO STREET SHOES ALLOWED ON THE MAT…EVER! We need to keep our wrestlers healthy. Thank you for abiding by this very important rule.

How to care for your uniform (singlet?)

Do NOT place the singlet in the DRYER. Place singlet on a hanger and let it air dry. It may be washed. Please do wash it on a regular basis if worn often. Wash after scrimmages and tournaments. Singlets are expensive.

What is headgear and is it required?

Headgear is designed to protect the wrestler's ears. If headgear isn't worn, “cauliflower ear" may result. Headgear is not mandatory for practice but strongly recommended by our coaches. Headgear will be mandatory for the tournaments. To acquaint a child to wearing headgear parents are encouraged to enforce the use as soon as the child starts wrestling. Headgear can be purchased from Dick’s Sporting Goods or Academy Sports locally.

What is cauliflower ear?

Cauliflower ear occurs after someone gets a hit or repeated hits to the ear. Wrestlers and boxers are more likely to have cauliflower ear because their ears may be hit while they're in a match. These blows can damage the shape and structure of the outside of the ear. For cauliflower ear to form, the ear has to be struck hard enough for a large blood clot (lump of blood) to develop under the skin. Another way cauliflower ear can happen is when the ear's skin is stripped away from the cartilage, the flexible material that gives a normal ear its shape. Wearing the right headgear when playing sports – especially contact sports – is a must.

What if my child is not sure about wearing the singlet?

Wrestlers may wear a t-shirt under the singlet. Once they get into the singlet and see others wearing singlets, the fear is usually gone.

I hear about wrestlers “making weight" or “cutting weight". do youth wrestlers do this?

NO! This is one of the myths of youth wrestling. We do NOT have children in our club cut or make weight. One of the greatest aspects of wrestling is that it is a venue for all sizes. If you feel at any time this is an issue with children within the club notify the head coaches immediately! At the high school and college level, weight classes are more of an issue.

How many tournaments can my child compete in?

Talk with the coach. Competing in tournaments varies from the occasional tournament to the extreme- every weekend/both days.

My child wrestled then stopped, can he come back?

Yes! The club welcomes back any wrestler. Some techniques may need to be relearned. Do not expect to pick up right where you left off. If your peers stuck with it and are doing well, don't expect the same. You'll have to get back into it.

For TNAAU Season 2018-2019

TNAAU Open tournament weights 2018-2019