Do I have to lose weight? Weight loss is under the highest scrutiny by the coaching staff and the state association (GHSA). We prohibit drastic weight cutting as it depletes vital body fluids and nutrients. Wrestlers will not be allowed to lose more than 1.5% of their total body weight per week. Wrestlers must follow a weight dissention plan that is mandated by state rule and is administered through the Optimal Performance Calculator (Part of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Website). Coaches have absolutely no control over their plan. The plan is begun by their weight certification – a test of body hydration, body fat percentage, and body mass index. Students that are below 7% body fat (11% for girls) may not wrestle a match until a doctor signs a waiver that they are fit for wrestling competition. Violation will result in non-competing regardless of who they are and where they are on the depth chart. The sport of wrestling has weight classes (103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215, and 285) which is one of the things that makes it a great sport.... opponents are matched up by weight. At times a wrestler along with the coaching staff may have to make a decision about where he will wrestle. For example, if you currently weigh 132 pounds, you have two choices-you could wrestle in the 135 pound weight class or you could choose to lose 2 pounds and wrestle in the 130 pound weight class. However, once you make the commitment to a weight class, then you MUST weigh no more than the weight allowed. Absolutely no exceptions. A tenth of a pound overweight is considered overweight for any weight class. Often, due to holes in lineups, and for team strategy or matchups, coaches may (by rule) bump a wrestler up one weight class above the weight for which they weighed in for competition.

When and how long is practice? Morning strength practices are from 7am to 7:45 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and ARE Mandatory. All wrestlers need to be in the weight room, dressed and ready to go BEFORE 7:00. Afternoon practice is approximately an hour and a half. Practices are highly intense and will be naturally shorter towards the end of the season.

I have never wrestled before. Is that a problem? No experience needed. You do not need to be a good athlete to be a good wrestler. Strength training and conditioning are a large part of our practices so you will get stronger and quicker as the weeks roll by. Practice starts with basics, since we all need to review the basics. It normally takes a month or two to get the hang of wrestling. We have had many first year wrestlers be very successful.

My family leaves town for Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years –What do I do? There is no practice over thanksgiving weekend, enjoy your family time. Wrestlers will need to do some specific workouts each day during holiday times. There is a great opportunity for the team to take a Christmas Holiday trip together and EVERYONE is invited to go to Orlando Florida with us. Please see the schedule for further information. Wrestlers must continue conditioning practices on their own during holiday break. Parents will be asked to oversee these workouts and verify that they have been completed.

How is it determined who is Varsity and Junior Varsity? All decisions on the lineup are made by the coaching staff. A wrestler must plan on doing well in intersquad competition and be a hard worker on the practice mats to move up the ladder, Coaches will constantly be looking at classroom performance, discipline, practice work ethic, and intersquad competition to determine the lineup from week to week.

How Do I Get a Varsity Letter? Lettering is the final decision of the Head Coach. Some things that are taken into consideration are: number of matches at varsity level, attitude and practice ethics, classroom performance, match discipline, attendance, and discipline record. In the past, wrestlers that have worked very, very hard at practice have been awarded a varsity letter even though they never wrestled in a varsity match. All members of the team are important and a good wrestling partner is vital to the success of every wrestler.

For what reason(s) would I be dismissed from the team? Any action that constitutes flagrant misconduct as judged by the coaching staff or school administration (on or off the mat or in the classroom). Repeated misconduct. Three unexcused absences from team practices or events. Read, sign, and turn in the Wrestling Behavior Contract

How do avoid getting a skin problem? Keep clean; take a hot shower with anti-bacterial soap right after practice. Keep your practice clothes clean and do not put dirty wet clothes in the same bag you carry your clean clothes in. Please read the article by Coach Miranda on the wrestling website www.fchswrestling.net under the skin care menu click here.