PAL is looking for wrestlers who are serious and intend to learn the sport. This takes dedication and good attendance. Although attendance is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that wrestlers not miss a lot of practice. Wrestling is a 1 on 1 sport that requires much practice to excel. Practices are structured to teach the rules of the sport basic principles, physical conditioning and to give the athlete the resources necessary to become a successful wrestler.
All PAL wrestlers are required to sign in before every practice and sign out after practice. PAL must keep record of attendance for the purpose of grants and liability. Sign-in sheets are located just inside the door on the desk.
Practices will be held from 6:00PM till 7:30PM unless otherwise indicated by the wrestling coach. Schedules with dates and times for the following month will be handed out at the last practice of the current month. Schedules will include dates and times of practices and local tournaments.
TOURNAMENT/COMPETITION
Competition is not a requirement however, if the athlete so chooses and satisfies the requirements of the wrestling coaches and receives parent/guardian permission, then they may wrestle in open youth wrestling tournaments as a member of PAL. Any PAL wrestler can participate in open youth tournaments. It is the parent/guardians responsibility to make the PAL wrestling coach aware as to which tournament you will be attending. Most weekends there is more than one youth tournament being held. The PAL coach will make the decision as to which tournament he will be attending. A parent/guardian may decide to attend a different tournament than the coach and register as a PAL member. It should be understood that your child will not have a coach present for his/her matches and that the parent/guardian will be responsible to act in the coaches place. In the event that a PAL member attends a separate tournament than the coach, that PAL member and their parent/guardian should represent PAL with good sportsmanship and respect for other teams, wrestlers, tournament officials and referees.
The average tournament costs anywhere between $10.00 to $15.00 for registration of the wrestler and adult admission is usually between $2.00 to $5.00. The cost of the tournament will be the parent/guardians responsibility.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
It is strongly suggested that the wrestlers have headgear, and wrestling shoes however it is not a requirement. Wrestling headgear helps to prevent the development of cauliflower ears, which is common in wrestlers who do not wear headgear. Wrestling shoes provide good traction on the mat as well as provide more support for ankles than the standard tennis shoe. If interested in purchasing shoes, headgear, singlets or any other accessory, feel free to ask the coach for some good places to find these products.
ACCEPTABLE/UNACCEPTABLE CLOTHING
Acceptable clothing for practices and tournaments include any of the following; T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, running pants, tight fitting muscle shirts, tennis shoes, and singlets. T-shirts should be tucked in at all times to prevent injuries to the wrestlers fingers.
Unacceptable clothing includes jeans, jean shorts, shorts with zippers/buttons and shirts with buttons, hard-soled shoes such as boots, loafers, and hiking boots/shoes. Any shirt promoting alcohol, tobacco, or offensive material is strictly prohibited from practices or tournaments.
HYGIENE
PAL wrestling coaches strongly recommend that wrestlers take a bath or shower after every practice or tournament. Wrestling mats tend to be a breeding ground for the parasites and germs that cause ringworm and some other skin infections. Although PAL mops the mats with germicidal solution regularly, it is possible that wrestlers will pick up a skin infection of some kind. Wrestlers commonly get mat burns on knees, elbows, heads and backs, which are excellent passageways for these infections. If you notice what you believe to be a skin infection please let the PAL coach know before the next practice. If tournament officials notice skin infections during weigh-ins or matches they will not allow your child to wrestle.
DOS & DONTS
Athletes are expected to be courteous and display good sportsmanship whenever at practice and/or representing PAL at any youth wrestling tournament. Parents are expected to abide by the same standard. Remember your children learn from you. PAL intends to teach sportsmanship to all athletes within the organization.
DONTS:
Ø Talk while the coaches are talking
Ø Misbehave during drills
Ø Fowl language and innuendos
Ø Make negative comments or make fun of teammates or anyone else while representing PAL
Ø Fighting
Ø Use of tobacco products (by the youth)
Ø Use of alcohol
Ø Giving up
DOS:
Ø Listen and do as the coaches instructs at all times
Ø Give your full concentration at all times
Ø Treat all opponents with respect
Ø Encourage your teammates
Ø Win with honor and lose with dignity
Ø Be on time
Ø Be respectful to coaches and referees at all times
