Pine Lake Middle School

Wrestling Handbook

Updated 11/8/07

 

 

 

“Gulo gulo spoken here”

 

 

Welcome!

 

Dear Parents/Guardians and Wrestlers,

                       

          Welcome to the wrestling season. We have high expectations for our wrestlers.  It is their responsibility to be at all practices and matches on time with the correct gear.  Please read the handbook carefully and make sure you understand the material.  If you have any questions regarding the contents be sure to ask us in practice or give us a call.

 

Please keep in mind that all students at Pine Lake are welcome to turn out for wrestling.  There are no cuts but students are not guaranteed to wrestle at every match.  This will depend on whether or not the competition has a wrestler at the same weight class and ability level.  This information will not be available until the day of the match. 

If you have any questions or concerns please check and see if the handbook/website has the information needed.  If you cannot find your answer in the handbook/website, feel free to call or E-mail. Please keep in mind, we will do our best to get back to you quickly as possible, but as a professional courtesy the coaches have up to 24 hours to respond to your phone call or E-mail so we may not be able to get you your answer if you call the day of the match.

 

          -Coach Abraham & Coach Scott & Coach Amoroso

                   Phone: (425) 837-5731

                   E-mail: abrahamk@issaquah.wednet.edu

 

 

Eligibility

 

          Wrestling is a privilege.  In order to participate in wrestling at Pine Lake you must meet the following criteria:

 

·        You must pay your $25 sports fee for the second season.

·        You must be passing all your classes.

·        Behavior in school must be appropriate.

·        Behavior in wrestling practice must be appropriate.

·        You must be healthy.

·        Uniform must be complete.

·        You must weigh in at or below your weight class.

·        You must have 12 practices prior to the first match and 10 practices prior to the take down tournament.

·        You must attend the practice prior to the competition.

 

If any of these criteria are not followed it may result in probation or not being able to wrestle in the match.  If we have a problem with your behavior in practices or at matches we will give you a written warning that must be signed by your parent(s).  If you accumulate 3 written warnings and we still have a problem you will no longer be able to participate in wrestling.

 

Grades will be checked within 10 days of the beginning of the season.  If you have a failing grade you will be placed on academic probation for 10 days.  You may practice and compete during these 10 days.  If after the first 10-day probation you are still failing you will be placed on a second 10-day probation.  During the second 10 days you will be able to practice but will not be able to compete.  If you are still failing after the second 10-day probation you will not be able to practice or compete.  You will be removed from probation as soon as the grades are raised.

 

If you are referred to the office for disciplinary reasons more than twice during the season you may be suspended from wrestling depending on the severity of the infractions.

 

          If you acquire 3 unexcused practices at any time during the season you will not be able to compete in the following match.

Practices

Practices are a very important part of your success in wrestling.  It is up to you to stay focused and give 100% everyday.  Only you can push yourself to your potential.

 

Practices will take place Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 2:15 until 3:35.  Wednesday practices will be from 2:30 until 3:50.  We will not be having practice on half days or days we have a match.  There will be no practices over Winter Break.  The activity bus leaves at 3:45 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (4:00 Wednesday).  There may be optional practices on Friday mornings at 6:45.  If you are interested be sure to listen for those times.

 

When finished dressing stay in the locker room until we all go out as a team. 

 

If you need to leave practice early for any reason be sure you speak with a coach and bring your belongings to practice.  The locker room will be locked during practice and you will not have access to the locker room until the end of practice.

 

Health & Safety

          In order to have a healthy and successful year please make note of the following items.

 

·        Mats will be disinfected everyday.

·        If you have open sores or if you are ill you will not be allowed to practice or compete.

·        If there is blood or other bodily fluids on the mat or in the locker room let the coaches know immediately. 

DO NOT TOUCH IT FOR ANY REASON!

·        If someone is injured let the coaches know immediately and do not move them.

·        Emergency medical forms must be turned in.

·        90% of all injuries in wrestling are due to carelessness or goofing around.

 

Weigh-ins and Weight Classes

 

78

85

90

95

100

105

110

115

120

125

130

137

145

154

164

175

HWT

 

        Middle school wrestling is divided into 17 weight classes.  At the beginning of the season there will be a weigh-in for all of the wrestlers.  To be sure wrestlers stay healthy they will only be allowed to drop down one weight class from the original weigh-in.  We strongly recommend wrestlers do not drop weight in middle school.

 

        Weigh-ins for the matches will take place at the practice previous to the match.  This only applies to Varsity and JV (6th graders weigh in at the previous practice).  The only exception to this will be if there is a Monday match.  In this case weigh-ins will be from 7:15-7:30 am the morning of the match.  If a student does not make weight they will not be able to wrestle in the match and if there is a JV wrestler in the same weight class they will wrestle in place of the Varsity wrestler.

 

Wrestle Offs

 

        If there are several 7th and 8th graders in the same weight class they will wrestle a match in practice to determine which will wrestle Varsity.   The wrestler who remains undefeated in wrestle offs will be the varsity wrestler for that weight class.  The wrestler who finishes second will be JV.   When time allows there will be challenge matches during practice for the varsity spot.  If a wrestler maintains the varsity spot for the majority of the year they will be the varsity wrestler during finals.

 

6th graders only wrestle 6th graders in meets.  We usually rotate who will wrestle if there is more than one wrestler in the weight class.    

Home Matches

The home matches will begin as close to 3:30 as possible.  Varsity will wrestle first and will wrestle one at a time.  JV will be next and sometimes they will wrestle on the whole mat, sometimes there will me more than one match going on at a time.  6th grade will compete last and there will almost always be more than one match going on at a time.  If there is not a wrestler from the other school in the same weight class the wrestler may be able to compete with a fellow Wolverine Wrestler, to get some more experience.

 

We will be hosting a few home matches this year.  It is very important that you dress quickly and help set up any way you can since we have limited time to set up.  The coaches will be asking different students to perform different tasks.  Each match requires moving the mat from the auxiliary gym to the main gym (8th graders), setting up warm-up mats, setting up chairs (7th graders), Putting the mats back in the auxiliary gym (6th graders) and hooking up the scoreboard (Gym Manager).  We expect every wrestler to help out.

 

As we host meets we are representing Pine Lake.  Be courteous and helpful to wrestlers, coaches, managers and fans from other schools.  If you are not warming up or sitting by the mat in the chairs you should be in the stands with the rest of your team.  

 

We are all part of a team.  It is required that you stay until the end of your match to cheer on your teammates and then help with clean up.  It is the responsibility for the 6th graders to move the mats back into the auxiliary gym.  Parents, we ask for your patience and understanding in this matter.

 

Keep in mind that the coaches will be extremely busy before and during home matches.  If a coach is not able to help you at a particular time please keep in mind that we do care about you and your problem and will help as soon as we can.

 

The matches will begin as close to 3:30 as possible.  They will not be finished before 3:45 so you will not be able to ride the activity bus the days we have home meets.  Be sure to arrange a ride home after the home matches as well as the away matches.

Away Matches

          The order and timeline of the away matches will be facilitated by the host coaches.  If there are changes in times or other details, please be patient and flexible.  All duel matches are scheduled to start as close to 3:30 as possible.  There is a good chance they will follow the same schedule as our home meets.

 

In order for the coaches to be able to focus on the matches in progress it is very important for the other wrestlers to be responsible for themselves.  You are expected to be ready for your match when it is time to start.  We will be stretching as a team but you should continue to warm up and drill prior to your match.  The coaches will not tolerate misbehavior.  Stay with the team and encourage your teammates.  Misconduct will lead to written warnings.

 

          It is also important to remember you are a representative of Pine Lake.  Always be polite and thankful to the host school.

 

          The bus ride to the host school is a time to focus.  Stay in your seat quietly thinking about your match.  Be sure to listen during attendance and instructions.  Make sure to show respect for our driver and pick up all trash before exiting the bus.

 

Attention Parents/Guardians!!!!!

 

          On the day of the meet be sure to obtain, complete and return a salmon colored release form if you are taking your child directly home from an away match.  If we do not have a completed release form there will be no way of knowing whether or not they are supposed to ride the bus home.

 

          We normally get back between 5:30 and 6:00 from dual matches, but this may vary from match to match.  If we know the arrival time will be different we will let you know as soon as possible. We ask that you please be patient in this regard.  Keep in mind we will be arriving back too late for the activity bus so it is important that wrestlers have someone to pick them up at Pine Lake upon our return.

 

Uniform

 

          It is very important that you are ready to wrestle at the beginning of your match.  This includes having a complete uniform.

 

Head:

·        Headgear must be worn during matches and practice.  Headgear is a good investment for any wrestler who is serious about the sport.  It is adjustable so it can grow with you.  The cost is $15-$45.  Headgear will be provided for those in need.

·        Mouth guards are optional, but students with braces must either wear a mouth guard or wax.

·        Hair must be tucked into a swim cap if it is too long.  Swim caps are provided by the school and fit under the headgear.

Body:

·        Singlets must be worn during matches.  Singlets will be provided.  Boys:  You may not walk around with a bare chest.  Singlets or warm-ups must be worn at all times.

·        Warm-ups will be provided.

·        Fingernails must be clipped short and smooth.

·        White briefs must be worn under the singlet.  Any student with boxers, boxer briefs, or briefs with dark colors or patterns will not be allowed to wrestle.

·        Athletic supporters and kneepads are optional.

·        Sports bras must be worn by female wrestlers.

Feet:

·        Wrestling shoes must be worn during matches.  Shoes range in cost from $35 to over $100.  Wrestling shoes may be available for loan in limited sizes.  A signed contract will be required.  If interested, see Mr. Abraham during Homeroom.

·        Shoelaces are required to be taped previous to the match.  Tape will be provided.  You can also buy shoes with Velcro flaps, or buy the flaps separately to keep the laces from coming untied.  Tape will not be supplied by the coaches.

 

The referees take this uniform very seriously.

 

School Equipment

        The school will provide some of your equipment.  It is very important that you take good care of this equipment since it is your responsibility while it is in your possession.  If your equipment gets mixed up with another wrestler’s and it gets lost or damaged you still have to pay for it.  Write down the number of the uniform assigned to you and keep it in a safe place.  If you lose or misplace your uniform let a coach know as soon as possible. 

It is against school policy to wear any part of your uniform outside of school.  In school you will be allowed to wear your warm up top on days of matches only.  Due to the high level of wear and tear, we ask that you do not wear your singlet or warm ups in practices.  If you would like to receive a practice singlet they may be provided upon request.  If you receive shoes and/or headgear you must wear them to every practice.

          If you leave your warm-ups at a meet more than once they will be considered to be turned in and you will not be able to use them for the rest of the season.

Personal Equipment

        Put your name on all of your personal equipment!  If equipment is left after practice or at a meet there is no way to know if it is yours unless it is labeled.  If it is school equipment it should have a number on it and we can find out to whom it belongs.

          Shoes and headgear can be purchased locally at G.I. Joe’s and Big 5. 

 

Donations of used shoes are gladly accepted if they are still in fairly good condition.  If you have shoes that do not fit you may be able to trade, sell or donate them for future wrestlers.

 

 

Volunteering

         

Parent Volunteers:

               

If you would like to come to help out in practice you are more than welcome, but you must be on our State Highway Patrol Volunteer list.  If you are interested please visit the Pine Lake Middle School Office and they can get you the forms. 

 

If you would like to help out at a match you can always bring snacks for the wrestlers to eat after their match.  (Oranges are always a good bet.)  There is also set up and tear down at our home matches.  When moving the mats the more hands we have, the quicker we get finished.

 

I would also like to tape the matches this year and review them in practice.  Last year we had a parent volunteer that was willing to work the camera and go over the footage with the students the next time he could make it into practice.  If you are interested in filming, or reviewing the footage please let me know.

 

If you can think of any other way you would like to help out just give me a call and thank you in advance for your hard work and strong support.

 

Awards Night

        In order to celebrate the end of the season we will be having an awards banquet at the end of the season (see the schedule) from 5:00-7:00pm at Pine Lake in the commons.  The wrestlers will be receiving the ribbons and certificates they have earned throughout the season.  Parents and families are welcome and encouraged to attend.

 

        What to bring:

6th grade:  Desserts and snacks for 12-14 people

7th grade:  Entrees for 12-14 people

8th grade:  Drinks for 12-14 people

Coaches:  Plates, napkins, and silverware

 

Awards night is also a very good time to turn in uniforms.  Please clean all clothing and place it in a bag with other equipment borrowed from the school.  Neatly write the wrestler’s name on the bag and turn it in to the location provided.

 

Wolverine Pride

        The wolverine (Gulo gulo) is an extremely resourceful animal.  They get the job done any way they can.  Although usually calm, the wolverine is one of the most fierce and fearless animals when it needs to be.  Pound for pound the wolverine is one of the toughest animals found in nature.

 

 

A wrestler who wishes to be successful should strive to embody the same characteristics of ferocity, fearlessness and resourcefulness that the wolverine demonstrates.  Stay tough and have a great year!