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2008-2009

Dear Wrestlers and Parents,

Welcome to the 2008-2009 wrestling season!   If you have any questions please call me at school 545-1633 or email me at brferguson@salida.k12.ca.us

GOALS

  • Our primary goal is to give wrestlers a foundation of basic skills and experience on the mat.
  • Our secondary goal is to teach students the concepts of teamwork, hard work, class, pride, respect, and discipline.

SAFETY

  • SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.  We teach high school wrestling (also called folkstyle).  Professional wrestling (WWE) moves attempted will result in automatic dismissal from the team.

SEASON

  • Season starts February 3rd and ends April 11th.
  • Practice is from 3:15 to 5:00 Tuesday-Friday. All wrestlers should stay until the end of practice but wrestlers who must take the 4:00 bus home, may leave at 3:55. On Tuesday and Thursday practice days, we will meet in Room 104 for 30 minutes of study hall, wrestlers will do homework or read a novel.  NO EXCEPTIONS!! We will go practice after study hall until 5:30.
  • Practice consists of conditioning, learning techniques, and live wrestling.
  • Most of the time, wrestlers face other wrestlers of the same size and ability. Sometimes a wrestler will face another wrestler that is small or bigger, or has superior or inferior skills. It is part of the learning process. We still hold safety as our number one priority.
  • Although we don't strictly adhere to them, these are the weight classes for most junior high wrestlers: 70, 76, 83, 89, 95, 100, 103, 108, 112, 116, 122, 128, 135, 142, 153, 168, 185, 205, 235. We do not choose a weight class for a wrestler. He/She chooses it. If they want to drop to a lower weight, we will discuss with them proper eating habits and weight management to achieve their goal. They can weigh less than the stated weight class to wrestle at that weight but not more. i.e. a 107 pound wrestler can wrestle at 108, 112, 116, but not 103. Wrestling other wrestlers at a much higher weight can be a disadvantage.
  • If you can not make it to practice for any reason, please inform a coach.  Do not rely on another wrestler to give us the message.  Missing practice without cause will result in extra conditioning.
  • Wrestlers are required to sign in at practice everyday.

INJURIES

  • Wrestling is a tough sport. Wrestlers get hurt (bruised, banged-up, sore), and injured. We do not push wrestlers to wrestle. If a wrestler says they are hurt, we ask them if they need to go home (call a parent), need ice, or just need to sit out for a time. It is as much his or her decision, as it is the coaches. If we see an injury, we administer first aid and then take appropriate action as dictated by the situation.

HYGIENE

  • It is important to all wrestlers that you shower as soon as you get home from practice. There are several skin infections that wrestlers can get (although they are not as common as some would believe). Showering right away after practice will help greatly in reducing your risk at getting these infections.
  • We also help reduce the risk by cleaning the wrestling mats everyday after practice and before practice if the P.E. classes use the mat during the school day. The cleaning solution we use is specifically for use on wrestling mats, KENCLEAN (click on Kenclean to read more).
  • Some of the common fungus and infections are: MRSA (Superbug), Ringworm, and Staph. Ringworm and Athlete's Foot are very similar.
  • What is a Staph skin infection?
    A bacteria commonly found on human skin and usually does not cause any problems.
    �� Frequently begins with a break in the skin (cut or a scrape).
    �� Staph enters the skin weakened by the injury and develops into an infection
    �� Symptoms of a staph infection include redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness of the skin and boils or blisters
    How do Staph infections spread?
    �� Skin to skin contact with someone who has the bacteria.
    �� Contact with an object that is soiled with wound drainage, (furniture or towels).
    �� Sharing objects with others who carry staph in wounds or on their skin (examples of commonly shared objects includes: towels, benches in saunas or hot tubs, athletic equipment,
    bed linens).
    How can I prevent all infections?
    �� Keep cuts and abrasions clean with soap and water.
    �� Do not share personal items.
    �� Clean shared objects and surfaces
    �� WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY.
    �� Always wash your skin, clothes and towels that may be carrying staph.
    What should I do if I think I have a staph infection?
    �� Consult your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible
    �� Follow your doctor's directions closely, even when you start to feel better. Incomplete treatment of infections leads to stronger antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
    How can I prevent my infection from spreading?
    �� Keep the infected area covered with clean, dry bandages. Pus from infected wounds is very infectious.
    �� WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY, with soap and warm water especially after changing your bandages or touching the infected skin.
    �� Alcohol-based gels can be used (must contain at least 60% alcohol)if soap and water are not available.
    �� Regularly clean your bathroom and personal items.
    �� Wash linens and clothes that are soiled with hot water and bleach, when possible.
    �� DO NOT SHARE towels, soap and personal care items
    �� Tell any healthcare providers who treat you that you have an antibiotic resistant staph infection.

PARENTS

  • While we do not exclude parents or spectators, our wrestling room is not big enough to have spectators in the room. You are welcome to watch from the door, if there is room.
  • We ask that you do not coach your son or daughter during practice or during meets, unless we ask you to do so during a tournament. You are more than welcome to talk to them after their match is over.
  • If you have any questions about our methods or coaching style, please see us privately. Public displays of disagreement upset the morale and balance of the team.
  • Do not yell at referees or opponents. The wrestling community is one of sportsmanship and respect. Other behaviors will not be tolerated.
  • If you have not been a part of the wrestling community, make friends and ask questions of the coaches and/or veteran parents, who can help guide you through the season.

EQUIPMENT/UNIFORMS

  • All wrestlers need their own wrestling shoes, which can be purchased at most sporting goods stores.  NO RED!!  Practice gear consists of shorts or sweats and t-shirts. We have a limited supply of loaners.
  • Wrestling team t-shirts can be purchased by wrestlers and parents for $15 each, $10 for each additional, but are not required. T-shirts can be worn to school.
  • Wrestling singlets are loaned to wrestlers for the entire season.  Seriously damaged or lost singlets will be the responsibility of the wrestler and will cost $75.00 each to replace. Sweatshirts are loaned to those who can not afford or choose not to buy one. Sweatshirts will cost $35.00

FUNDRAISER

  • We will have one fundraiser (lift-a-thon) that helps pay for tournaments, uniforms, shirts, sweatshirts, and equipment.  Wrestlers will be able to earn team shirts and sweatshirts based on their fundraising efforts.

TOURNAMENTS and MEETS

  • We attend wrestling tournaments on several Saturdays.  Wrestlers are not required to attend the Saturday tournaments.  We will meet at SMS on the morning of all tournaments.  If a wrestler needs to be picked up at home, please let the coaches know before the tournament. The tournaments last all day. If a wrestler can not stay all day due to other commitments, it is best they do not come that day. Wrestlers should bring their own water or sports drinks, snacks, and lunch, or money.  All items are sold at the tournaments but can be expensive.  We will go to pizza after the tournaments and wrestlers should bring money ($5) for pizza, families are invited, no one is required to attend. Admission is charged for spectators ($2-$5 each) at tournaments.
  • We only use school buses to go to wrestling meets during the week, but wrestlers need to find a ride home at the end of the meet.  We NEED Parent drivers for rides to Saturday tournaments.  If you can drive wrestlers to any meets, please fill out the DRIVER form and return it as soon as possible. Admission is charged at these meets.
  • At home meets, we need parent volunteers to work the snack bar and the door.  The more volunteers we have, the easier it is for parents, working the snack bar or door, to watch their wrestler during his or her match.  Admission for home meets is $2 for adults, $1 for children.  All wrestlers should get at least one match per meet.  At tournaments, most wrestlers get at least 3 matches. Sometimes, weight restrictions do not allow some wrestlers to compete.
  • Wrestlers are required to stay for the duration of all home meets to help with cleanup. If you must leave early you will do extra work at a later date (cleanup, conditioning, etc.)
  • Wrestlers need to check out with the coaches before leaving away meets or tournaments.

DISCIPLINE

  • Minor Rules violations will result in extra conditioning (push-ups, sit-ups, running, etc.) Rules violations include, but are not limited to, missing practice, leaving meets or tournaments without checking with coaches, late to practice, leaving gear behind.
  • Major Rules violations will result is suspension and/or dismissal from the team. Major rules violations include fighting, unsafe wrestling, WWE style moves, poor attitude, repeated failure to comply with team "culture", conduct that is detrimental or embarrassing to the team.
  • Any wrestler who EARNS a detention or TASK from a teacher or the school, must serve it on the day it was assigned. No rescheduling because of practice or competition. If you messed up, you get the consequences.