Frequently asked questions:

Not seeing what you are looking for? Do not hesitate to ask questions to a board member or coach!

WHEN IS TOO LATE TO START WRESTLING?

NEVER. Many of the best wrestlers at any level of the sport didn't start until their 5th-8th grade years in school. Our goal is to introduce the sport to as many individuals as possible. Coaches work to create the best practice environment - this means matching wrestlers based on experience because no one should be intimidated by the practice room!

WHEN DOES THE SEASON START?

The first practice is November 4th! We have a 2 week trial period at the beginning of the season, during which time all wrestlers practice together on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 6-7:30. After these two weeks, the coaches will determine which practice athletes should attend moving forward - Novice or Open. If, at the end of the 2 week trial, your child does not wish to continue with the season, the club will refund half your registration fee.

WHEN ARE PRACTICES?

NOVICE A: Tuesdays and Thursdays (5:30-6:15 PM) 

NOVICE B: Tuesdays and Thursdays (6:15-7:15 PM)

OPEN: Mondays (6-7:30 PM), Tuesdays and Thursdays (7-8:30 PM)

We will communicate schedule changes via email, and keep the DKWC website’s calendar up to date. The only deviation from the normal schedule will be when the school building is closed - either due to inclement weather or school holiday, or evenings De Soto High School has home basketball games.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOVICE AND OPEN?

Youth wrestling tournaments are separated into two divisions: Novice & Open. Novice wrestlers are athletes with two years experience or less. Once a wrestler starts his or her 3rd year, they’ll be considered Open. Open/Novice practices will be separated by the same criteria, unless Coach Ben tells the wrestler/parents otherwise. The goal is to separate the beginners and experienced wrestlers to provide the most even and productive practice rooms possible. 

Coach Ben may move a few athletes back and forth due to age and/or practice partner availability - but conversations with families will be had if that is determined to be necessary.  Please note that it would not affect what division a wrestler would compete at in tournaments. For example: a Novice wrestler attending Open practice would still compete in Novice division.

WHAT AGE CAN MY WRESTLER JOIN THE CLUB?

The youngest the club will accept wrestlers is 5 years old.  If your child is currently 4, but will turn 5 during the season, we welcome them to come try it out and the club will evaluate on a case-by-case basis. Every child is different - and while some take to the sport quickly, some are not quite ready to focus and participate each week. Coaches will be in communication with families if problems arise.

WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL I NEED TO BUY MY WRESTLER?

The only thing they will need to participate in practice is wrestling shoes. The club has some extras people can borrow - and we always accept any donation of older shoes. T-shirt and shorts are generally worn for practice.

During competition, wrestlers will need to wear a singlet, wrestling shoes, and headgear. Singlets are available to rent from the club for a $50 fee that is refunded at the end of the season, upon the return of the singlet. The club also has some extra headgear that can be loaned out. If you have questions about any equipment needed, please ask!!

WHEN ARE TOURNAMENTS?

Tournaments begin in December and conclude with the District and State tournaments the first two weekends in March. Please refer to the DKWC website for a list of the 2024-25 tournaments. Please note, parents choose which and how many tournaments their wrestlers attend! Whatever fits into your schedule and competition level. The only exception is that all athletes are expected to wrestle at the Dean Sheets Memorial tournament since this is club paid and our home event. Families are also required to donate/volunteer at this event, so please note the January 25th date now!

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR TOURNAMENTS?

As a club, DKWC coaches register all wrestlers through Track Wrestling or USA Bracketing. In order to know which wrestlers plan to attend specific tournaments, we will send out Google Form links for each tournament. We *STRONGLY* encourage parents to decide early in the season which tournaments you plan to attend and sign up for all at once. Deadlines will be given for each tournament sign-up, and these will be strictly followed. We do not know when tournaments will open their registrations, and they often fill up within the first 24 hours. 

Please be aware that every tournament charges a per athlete registration fee, typically $20-$25. We do not keep any of this money. However, families do make their payments to our club since we are responsible for registering our athletes for each tournament. This registration fee is also non-refundable, as tournaments do not give refunds if the wrestler is sick or otherwise unable to attend.

WHAT ARE THE AGE DIVISIONS AT TOURNAMENTS?

The age divisions for boys and girls are generally 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U. Novice and Open will have separate divisions, and nearly all tournaments have split sessions now. For example, a morning session might have: 8U/10U/12U NOVICE + All 14U and an afternoon session would then include 8U/10U/12U OPEN + All 6U. This is MUCH more efficient than the single session tournaments in years past, as you can plan to only be there half the day instead of all day.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY ATHLETE WILL WRESTLE AT TOURNAMENTS?

All tournaments are run through Track Wrestling or USA Bracketing. These sites are where you will find your child’s bracket the day of the tournament, as well as their match # and what mat they will be on. If you’ve never used Track Wrestling or USA Bracketing before, there are online tutorials you can find! Or ask a board member or veteran parent to walk you through it the first time. Neither site is difficult to navigate, but can be a little overwhelming at first.

HOW DO I RECEIVE INFORMATION THROUGHOUT THE SEASON?

Our main form of communication is via email. We will send out nearly weekly emails - it is important that all families read these to be informed of any upcoming events and deadlines. It is also how tournament registrations will be sent out. We encourage everyone to regularly check the website and follow our Facebook Page (De Soto Kids Wrestling Club) for announcements. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions! 

DeSotoKidsWrestling@gmail.com