Frequently Asked Questions
General
How old does my child need to be to start wrestling?
We typically start our wrestlers in First Grade. If you have questions about your child, please discuss it with one of the coaches.
How are points scored in wrestling?
- Takedown – 2 points
- Escape – 1 point
- Reverse – 2 points
- Near Fall (back points) – 2 points for 2-5 seconds, 3 points for >5 seconds
- Penalties – usually 1 point
What headgear should I get?
There is a lot of headgear out there. The type you use will depend on what your wrestler is most comfortable with. There is no need to spend more than $30-$40 on headgear. If you have questions, please ask the coaches.
What equipment does my child need for wrestling?
Headgear and wrestling shoes are a must. You will also need a singlet (see below). Headgear is important to protect the ears and minimize the chances of injuries such as cauliflower ears. Wrestling shoes, which should only be worn inside and on the mat, give you foot and ankle support and reduce the chances of skin infection.
Is there a program to swap shoes?
Not a formal one, but we do have an informal one. Many of our wrestlers donate their shoes to the “lost and found” when they outgrow them. Over the years, we have accumulated a fair number of shoes. At any time, please ask the coaches if you would like to look in there to see if there is a pair that you want. If you find one, you can take it, no charge. We just ask that you pay it forward and bring unneeded shoes there in the future.
Does my child need a singlet?
You do not need to practice in a singlet, but he does need to wear one for matches. The team does provide one that needs to be taken care of and returned at the end of the season. Please see communication from the team as to how you pick up a singlet.
What happens if the score is tied at the end of 3 periods?
There will be an overtime to determine the winner. Overtimes are typically done in the following manner:
- 1 minute sudden death, both wrestlers start at neutral (standing position). First take down wins.
- If there is no winner, then you move to ultimate ride out. This lasts 30 seconds. One wrestler starts top, the other bottom. If the bottom wrestler escapes he wins. If the top wrestler prevents the bottom wrestler from escaping, he wins.
What can I do to help my child become a better wrestler?
The best thing you can do is give him unconditional support. Bring him to practice, encourage him, wipe the tears away when they come (and they will), and be there to pick him back up. You will find that after a short while, you will see changes in your young wrestler that will both make you proud and teach him life lessons.
Saturday Meets
How is my child paired up?
The ICWL has a software package that helps us do the match ups. It is based on years of experience, skill level, age, and weight. We try our best to match our wrestlers up with those from another team using these four factors.
What teams are in the ICWL?
There are approximately 50 teams from the 5 county area, plus. To learn more about the ICWL, please go to the ICWL website, http://www.intercountywrestlingleague.org/
What does ICWL stand for?
ICWL stands for Inter County Wrestling League. It is an organization made up of approximately 50 youth teams from around the 5 county area plus. To learn more about the league, please go to the ICWL website, http://www.intercountywrestlingleague.org/
How does the ICWL Championship work?
The ICWL holds two Championship tournaments; a 1st year novice event and an Open (All levels). The wrestlers enter the tournament as individuals, however the top places will receive points for their team.
Parents behavior
Wrestling is a very emotional sport. It is very hard to see your child on the mat going toe-to-toe with another wrestler. You will experience many emotions during your wrestler’s career, some positive and some negative. SAYWA has long been known as a premier wrestling organization, and the behavior of our parents is a reason for that. We encourage you to root for your wrestler, within the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Here are some do’s and don’ts:
- Do cheer for your child.
- Do give them a big hug after their match, win or lose.
- Do tell them that you are very proud of them for trying his best.
- Do take pictures and videos.
- Don’t tell him what he should do during the match. That is the job of the coaches. If both you and the coach are screaming instructions, your child will most likely stop and listen to you. This is probably not a good thing.
- Don’t tell them what they did wrong after their match. Let the coaches do that. If you want to talk about the match and ways to improve, wait after the match for a while. Telling a young wrestler what they did wrong right after their match will be counter-productive.
- Do not yell at the referees, regardless of how bad a call may seem. Let the coaches handle the referees during the matches.
- Do not yell at or talk to our coaches during a match. Let him focus on your son. If you have something that you would like to discuss, please find a quieter time with that coach. All of our coaches are very happy to talk about your child, let’s just find the right time to do it.