There are a few rules that we will reinforce with your wrestler on almost a daily basis throughout the season.

DOs

1.  Shower - After each practice please go home and shower as soon as possible.  Since wrestling is a contact sport there is a possibility of encountering certain skin conditions.  Showering and proper hygiene is the best way to minimize the chance of skin issues.  Moreover, there is Defense Soap and Wipes that can be purchased from the program to further minimize skin conditions.

2. Eat - In order for each wrestler to be at their very best we want to make sure they are eating dinner.  During practice your wrestler will expend a lot of energy and we want to reinforce good eating habits and make sure they are getting the proper nutrition.

3. Homework/Study - It is essential that your wrestler not only be competitive on the mat but also in the classroom.  Academics are an important part of each wrestlers life and wrestling practice should not detract from their academic studies or their homework.

Additionally, here are a few other DO's that are helpful, but we will not discuss these items at each practice.

4.  Practice Partners -  In order to be successful in wrestling you need good practice partners.

              - In order to learn new things we need to have other wrestlers allow us to practice new techniques with little or no resistance at times.  Conversely, when it's another wrestlers turn to learn something new we are asked to provide little or no resistance.  Please be a good partner and allow the other wrestler to work and learn the new techniques.  If you provide full resistance they will not learn and become better.  There will be plenty of opportunity to go 'live' and give your best efforts.

            - Wrestling is social sport and friendships will be made, however during practice try not to have the same practice partner for every drill - best friend or not.  Coaches will try to match up practice partners based on size, experience, age etc.  Obviously matching practice partners is not an exact science.  However, in order for the team and individual wrestlers to grow sometimes wrestlers will need to practice with a wrestler of more experience, less experience and equal experience. 

5. Braces/ Mouth Guards - Many tournaments require wrestler with orthodontic braces to wear a mouth guard.  Although recommended, but not required for practice, mouth guard should be worn during competition.  If you have any questions about which type of mouth guard is adequate, please ask one of the coaches and they can share their experience

6. Singlet Colors - When your wrestler starts competing at different tournaments you will notice that there are many neat looking custom singlets that other competitors may be wearing.  Until the Memphis City Championship tournament (early January) we ask that all Wave Wrestlers wear their Wave singlet.  Wearing our club's singlet helps our coaches identify our wrestlers about to wrestle at different mats.  Moreover, it helps reinforce the idea that, although we compete individually, we are a team.

7. Tournament Fees - The Wave club will compete in many tournaments locally as well as out of town.  All of these tournament require an entry fee; generally around $15 per tournament per wrestler.  Some tournaments require payment online during registration while other tournaments require a team check the day of competition.  It is not uncommon to have dozens of Wave wrestlers competing at a particular tournament and the club needs to pay the fees.  If all of the Wave wrestlers have not paid their entry fees to the club prior to the competition it creates a significant financial strain on the program.  Parents please be proactive and pay your wrestlers entry fees prior to the tournament date.

DON'Ts

1. Never Wear Wrestling Shoes Outside - Wrestling shoes are only to be worn on the mats.  Before each practice the coaches clean and disinfect the practice mats to maintain a healthy environment and minimize the chances of skin infections.  If someone wears their shoes anywhere outside of the mats (parking lot, restroom, etc.) then the bacteria on the shoes will be tracked and transferred onto the mat.  In the same vein, never step onto a wrestling mat with street shoes.  Please help us to remind our wrestlers and new parents of the importance of wearing their wrestling shoes only on the mat and no place else.

2.  Never allow your wrestler to start a match without a Wave Wrestling coach - Wrestling tournaments can run behind schedule and referees may attempt to start a match with a wrestler who does not have a coach present.  Please reinforce with your Wave Wrestler that they are never to start a wrestling match without a Wave coach being present.

3. Bad Conduct - Wrestling and competition certainly brings about many emotions.  Nevertheless, even when emotions are high we require Wave wrestlers, family, friends, and coaches to conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with the values the club is trying to instill in the wrestlers.  We require that everyone connected to the Wave program and Wave wrestlers to not argue with coaches or officials, no throwing head gear, no swearing, no taunting, or any other disrespectful behavior.