Wrestling Expectations

1) Coaches:

a. Travis Elliott Head HS Wrestling Coach

b. Assistant Wrestling Coach

2) Philosophy

a. I have been involved continuously with wrestling for many years. Wrestling can teach athletes many things about being a better athlete and person.

b. I believe that cutting weight is a personal decision to be made by athletes and their parents. I will never tell someone what weight class he or she has to wrestle. I can give input in the decision, if asked by the athlete.

c. It is my goal to get all athletes as many matches as possible. Some wrestlers will get multiple matches on competition days one week and may not have any matches at the next competition.

3) Late Start Practice Rule

a. If a student wishes to start the season late, they need to have the same nine (9) days of practices that the other athletes have before their first contest to earn their right to participate in competition.

4) Competitions

a. At the high school level, athletes are allowed thirty (30) competition points. We are not maxed out, but are close to that number. High school wrestling has 14 weight classes ranging from 106 lbs. to 285 lbs. Duals will have the varsity team compete in a scored dual. Other wrestlers will get exhibition matches, depending on competition availability. Some tournaments have varsity and junior varsity brackets for competition. There is no guarantee to the number of matches per competition.

b. All athletes are required to stay at every team competition until all team wrestlers have finished. If there is a legitimate reason for a parent needing to take the wrestler early, the head coach must clear it in advance. Wrestling is a team sport and the entire team should stay and support all members of the team.

5) Uniforms/Equipment

a. Please take care of uniforms and equipment due to expense. Replacement is very expensive. At our level, uniforms are used multiple years.

b. Any athlete with items not turned in will be billed.

c. Shorts and shirts with sleeves are preferred for practice everyday.

d. Wrestling shoes are required. If an athlete is unable to purchase wrestling shoes, please contact me and we can try to make something work.

e. Headgear is required for competition and in practice. The school has a limited number of headgear. Headgear will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. I highly encourage purchasing your own headgear for sanitary reasons.

6) Togetherness

a. We ask that you keep things positive at home. If you disagree with things we do as a coaching staff, please do not discuss it in front of your child. If our athletes hear this at home it spills into locker room and on the mat. Please help us build a positive attitude within our team. Any comments written on social media should be positive and encouraging for the good of the team.

b. Athletes are expected to stay together as a team including sitting together at duals and tournaments.

7) Sportsmanship

a. If any athlete behavior is destructive to our team effort and/or reputation, he/she will be dismissed from the team.

b. Good sportsmanship is expected at all times, on and off the mat. Any signs of poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated.

8) Hygiene

a. Due to the amount of physical contact with opponents, you will shower, using soap, after every practice and event. You will not be allowed to leave the locker room unless you have showered. Practice gear must be washed nightly. Report any suspicious skin conditions to a coach immediately!

9) Injuries

a. If your athlete has an injury we will do the best job we can to ensure your child’s safety. We are not doctors we can only do so much.

b. If your athlete comes home with an injury and you take them to the doctor, we need to know about it. This is something we need to have documentation on. Not all athletes tell us about injuries, some try and tough it out. Please stress to them to inform a coach when an injury occurs.

c. We will not wrestle an injured athlete. There is a line between hurt and injured, I do not consider jammed fingers and bruises as an injury.

d. If you take your child to the doctor, be prepared for them to sit out from practice/competition due to liability of doctor.

10) Communication

a. Any problems that may occur with the athlete, we expect them to speak with us. I don’t want to hear about problems through parents prior to hearing from the athlete. I believe every athlete needs to learn how to communicate those problems so they can be resolved with the athlete and coach.

b. Once the athlete has spoken with the coaches and parents believe they need to take the next step, then please call or email me at school to set up an appointment.

c. I do not want conflicts to be discussed over the email or telephone. It is best to meet face to face.

d. Coaches will have a 24-hour policy after competition nights about discussing any conflicts with parents.

11) Chain of command

a. First the athlete to the coach

b. Parent to coach

c. If needed, parent to coach/AD

12) Competition Days

a. Any athlete wishing to go home with a parent after a competition needs to sign out with the managers. No athlete can go home with a parent other than their own unless the arrangements have been made with the office prior to the bus leaving or you sign the attached form indicating arrangements for the season.

b. No student can participate in a competition if they are not at school by 12:00 on a competition day. Exceptions include doctor appointments, funerals or the office excuses the absence.

c. Parents should remain in the stands during matches and not have contact with athletes during competitions unless emergency circumstances apply. Parents should not come and be near bench at any time.

d. Athletes should not be eating food during duals. Between duals or matches in tournaments, it is fine for athletes to eat a reasonable, healthy snack. On away competitions, players may bring food on the bus ride.

e. Please send nutritious types of food for the athletes. NO junk food or pop will be allowed.

13) Cell Phones

a. An athlete may bring a cell phone with them to competitions for use of calling parents on the way home to let them know they will be ready to be picked up and to listen to music. Phones may not be used for any other reason unless approved by a coach.

b. Parents must understand that they need to be waiting for their child to give them a call after the competition. If an athlete does not have a cell phone and needs to call home, they can use a coach’s phone to do so. All athletes should have a ride ready to pick them up at the District Gym parking lot after a competition so we are not waiting.

14) Grades

a. Athletes are expected to maintain passing grades while competing. Should grades become an issue, they will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

15) Forms

a. All physicals, concussion, and emergency information forms must be turned into the office or myself before the athlete can practice. This needs to be taken care of immediately. Sports fees are due by the first competition (November 29th) or the athlete will not compete.

16) Practice Schedule and Dates

a. We will have practice according to our calendar and bus runs Monday-Thursday. Please do not schedule any appointments during practice times. Each athlete needs to let Coach Elliott know well ahead of time of any appointments they have. If an athlete does not let Coach Elliott know of an appointment until the day of, it will be considered an unexcused absence.

b. Players/parents must understand that any missed practice time may result in another athlete taking their child’s spot. We strive to demand that each practice is a competition and without your child attending, they get left behind.

17) Absences/Expectations of Athletes

a. Athletes are expected to be at practice every day when at school. If an athlete is at school all day and does not report to practice, it will be considered unexcused.

b. The first unexcused absence from practice results in a meeting with the head coach with appropriate physical conditioning or other penalty. The second unexcused absence results in missing a competition. The third will result in the athlete turning in equipment and being removed from team.

c. If an athlete has an unexcused absence from a competition, they will be suspended from the subsequent competition and possibly removed from the team.

d. If an athlete gets a detention, they may practice following that detention with appropriate penalty

e. If an athlete receives a suspension, they are not eligible to practice or compete on dates of suspensions.

f. All athletes must report to Coach Elliott if they are to miss practice for any reason. If a player lets another coach know without talking with Coach Elliott, it will be considered an unexcused absence.

g. Classwork comes first. If an athlete is not performing up to expectations in the classroom, he/she will not compete. If it is necessary to report late to practice due to schoolwork, the appropriate teacher and the athlete must both contact Coach Elliott prior to missing practice.

18) Personal Belongings

a. Each athlete is responsible for any belongings they bring with them to practice or competitions. Coaches and managers will not be responsible to hold onto bags, phones, technology devices, jewelry etc.

19) Competition Team Dress

a. On competition days we will dress up as a team. We will wear jeans or nice shorts and team shirt.

Contact Information:

Travis Elliott

Head High School Wrestling Coach

Email: telliott@usd473.net

School Phone #: 785-922-6555