Wrestling

Delano Tigers Wrestling

Program Philosophy and Policies

“Whether one wrestles to earn a team berth or become a world champion, he enlists in a proud community of athletes known for their courage and dedication. In the most demanding of all athletics, the wrestler is commanded to condition his body to the very limit of his endurance, habitually denies himself of normal pleasures, and proves himself time and time again in grueling competition, frequently under pressure. A nobility becomes the sport. There is no mat space for malcontents or dissipaters. One must neither celebrate insanely when he wins nor sulk when he loses. He accepts victory professionally and humbly. He hates defeat, but makes no poor display of it. More enduringly than any other sport, wrestling teaches self-control and pride. Some have wrestled without great skill; none have wrestled without pride.”      ~Unknown Author

Philosophy

Character Development: The Delano Wrestling Program will, above all, strive to develop wrestlers into quality young men, prepared for future success in life. We will instill and develop quality characteristics in our wrestlers such as: Work Ethic, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship, Discipline, Self-Control, Perseverance, Honesty, Integrity, Team Work, Determination, Confidence, Humility, and Composure.

Program Philosophy: Each Delano Wrestler will strive to become the best wrestler that he can become. We do not expect each wrestler to be a section or state champion. What we do expect – and demand – is that each wrestler strives to be the best he can be with the tools he has at hand. While the individual component of wrestling is one of the great and unique aspects of the sport, the Team must – and will – come first. Each Delano Wrestler must be willing to sacrifice and do what is in the best interest of the Team. Only then will the Delano Wrestling Program reach true success.

Wrestling Specific Philosophy: Delano Wrestlers will develop a style that is exciting to do and watch where the ultimate objective is the pin. We will place a high premium on position and forcing action in every phase - always striving for aggressive and intelligent wrestling. Delano Wrestlers will train to be great in the neutral position, yet also be complete wrestlers – with weapons from all three positions and being a threat to score from anywhere. Wrestlers will train to develop and demonstrate the highest degree of Mental and Physical Toughness.

Academics

All Delano Wrestlers are student-athletes. They are students first – and wrestlers second. The most important things that wrestlers do at school each day is what they do in the academic classroom. Wrestlers must become masters of time management in order to excel both in the classroom and on the wrestling mat.

Practices

            In the Delano Wrestling Program, practice is sacred - it is the cornerstone of the program. Team members will be on time, and carry a “hungry to learn, hungry to work” attitude, striving to improve each and every day. Practices will be well-planned with a purpose to every component. There will be no time to waste. Practices will be closed in order to maintain an environment where wrestlers’ focus and concentration is maximized.

Start Time: Practice begins at 3:10 sharp - Be ready to go to work

Basic Practice Components: Warm-up, Neutral Drilling, Mat Drilling, Tactics and Instruction, Live Combative Wrestling, Strength/Conditioning, Flexibility and Recovery, Business Items.

Attendance: Wrestlers are expected to attend all practices. Any absence will be made up with a make-up practice at a time determined in each situation. If a wrestler is not able to attend a practice, he must contact a coach prior to the absence (see coaches contact info). Each unexcused absence will result in a match to be missed. Repeated unexcused absences may result in dismissal from team. Delano Public Schools Activity Policy will be followed. A missed practice for the purpose of failing or incomplete grades is considered unexcused – stay on top of homework and grades.

Equipment:

      Checked out by the Team: *

Headgear, Kneepads (optional), Team Uniform (Warm-up Top, Warm-up Bottom, Singlet, Shirt, Shorts)

* Each wrestler is responsible for these items and is liable for the replacement cost of these items if not returned.

      Provided by each Wrestler:

            Practice Shirts & Shorts, Wrestling Shoes, Socks, Additional Shirts & Shorts, Running/Cross-Training Shoes

      Practice Clothing: All practices will be alternated as either a Black Day or an Orange Day. Black Day – all wrestlers must wear black shorts and a gray Delano Wrestling shirt with black lettering. Orange Day – all wrestlers must wear orange shorts and a gray Delano Wrestling shirt with orange lettering. Wrestlers are required to wear clean practice clothing to each practice. This is a critical step in the prevention of the spreading of infectious skin diseases.

Morning Practices The Delano Wrestling Program will hold morning practices on occasion throughout the season. These practices will be mandatory for all wrestlers in grades 10-12 as well as varsity wrestlers in grades 7-9. Practices will be scheduled and announced on a week-to-week basis.

Injured Wrestlers: Unless a wrestler is seriously injured and/or has a doctor appt. related to the injury, injured wrestlers are expected to attend practice and will complete a customized workout (based on the injury) while the team practices.

Line-up and Wrestle-offs

Wrestle-offs are used as a guide to determine Varsity and JV spots in the line-ups. These wrestle-offs will be used firmly for the line-ups in Individual Competitions. However, in Team Competition, the coaching staff will make all line-up decisions, taking into consideration what is best for the Team. Basis for these coaching decisions will be individual match-ups, team line-up match-ups, styles, match counts, and mat time. Wrestlers must be within 5 lbs. of the weight class they are wrestling-off for. Initial wrestle-offs to establish varsity spots will be in a best-2-out-of-3 series. A wrestler desiring to challenge the wrestler in front of him on the depth chart must communicate this request to the coaching staff a minimum of 2 days in advance. The challenging wrestler must defeat the wrestler holding the spot twice (and must win the first challenge). The wrestle-offs will take place at the earliest possible time, taking into consideration the timing of competitions. Challenges will not be conducted the day before a competition.

Weight Certification

For each wrestler, a physician and one of their parents/guardians must sign a form to dictate what that wrestler’s certified weight is for the season. The certified weight is the lowest weight class in which the wrestler can compete, although it does not mean that he necessarily will ever wrestle there. Regardless of what the certified weight is (dictated at the beginning of the season), parents will always have the ultimate say of what weight class they will allow their wrestler to compete at, in cases of weight cutting.

Lettering

Varsity letters will be awarded based on varsity participation. Typically, a varsity letter will be earned with participation in 50% of the varsity matches for the season. Coaches’ discretion will play a part, taking into consideration the wrestlers’ attendance, work ethic, and team contributions.

Nutrition

Proper nutrition is an integral part of a successful wrestler. The sport of wrestling places a high demand on the body, mind, and emotions. Considering the physical exertion, emotional demands of competition, weight management, and academic work, it is imperative that each wrestler fuels and hydrates himself properly. The Delano Wrestling Program will strive to educate wrestlers on nutrition and proper weight loss. There’s nothing wrong with weight loss, as long as it’s done properly and of a reasonable amount of weight. But improper weight loss can and will severely impair a wrestler’s ability to compete and practice at an optimum level, as well as detract from the wrestler’s overall health.

Parental Support

Parental support is very important to the success of the Delano Wrestling Program. Wrestlers are expected to make a strong commitment to the program. Without that commitment, neither the individual nor the team can succeed. Parents, please help to insist and encourage your son to make and follow through on that commitment. Please support your child and the team by attending as many matches as possible., providing guidance with academics, time management, nutrition, and weight management, and volunteering to help support the program when possible. We ask parents to release their child to the sport and let the sport do what it is intended to do. The sport will teach them many positive life lessons such as humility, mental toughness, perseverance, how to accept and deal with authority, how to work with others, and ultimately how to be a better human being.