East High School
Wrestling Program
Coaching Philosophy
This year’s program will be open to all ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders. It is understood that some athletes have never wrestled before; therefore the instruction is designed to accommodate the beginner as well as the more experience. In a few short weeks all beginning wrestlers will have sufficient knowledge and ability to successfully participate and enjoy the experience.
Wrestling is a sport that attracts great athletes that may not possess a high degree of athletic skill. For instance, there are many students that do not possess the speed, size, agility, or strength to compete in some of the other sports. A wrestler competes within his /her own weight class and their success lies greatly in their knowledge and technique. Each wrestler progresses at his own pace and can enjoy success with each step. As coaches we will always strive to encourage your child to put forth his best effort and to do so in a positive and constructive manner.
An athlete’s weight will determine his/her weight class; however wrestlers will not be encouraged to lose large amounts of weight in order to compete in a lower weight class.
Wrestlers will be permitted to wrestle a maximum of one weight class above his/her weight if the coaches feel the athlete can do so safely.
Attendance at practice is mandatory unless a student is home ill or has been sent home for health reasons. Practice will begin every day at 2:30p.m. and end at 5:15p.m. On occasion, practice may end earlier than or later than 5:15p.m., however this will be announced at a prior practice.
Wrestlers may be excused from practice and interscholastic matches for non-illness related events at the coaches’ discretion. All such requests must be in writing, signed by the wrestler’s parent/guardian and given to the assistant or head coach prior to 2:00 p.m. on the day in question. If options are available, it will be expected that medical appointments, personal appointments, and religious instruction be scheduled during non-wrestling hours. Academics will always supersede wrestling; however, each team member will understand that they will not receive an “excused absence” from practice to complete a term paper or school project that they have neglected until the last minute. An athlete must learn to prioritize their time so that all schoolwork is completed on time. There are no excused absences awarded for other academic teams, clubs, or events that may conflict with a wrestling match or practice schedule. Failure to notify the head coach in writing of a legitimate reason for missing practice will result in the wrestler being excluded from participation in the next scheduled interscholastic match, but his attendance at the match is still required.
It has always been the opinion of this coach that athletics is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate and reinforce the concepts of fairness, integrity, responsibility, and accountability. The East wrestling program seeks opportunities everyday to help all participants understand and react with these concepts in mind. Of course, every competitive sports program likes to win and this program is no exception, however, it is more import to the coaching staff that the positive concepts mentioned above become a daily part of our total program. The age group of this team will range from ninth to twelfth graders, just four short grades but a major difference in maturity. One of the program goals is to assist the development of your child as he/her enters young adulthood. He/she will be expected to assume total responsibility for his/her choices and actions. Most respond with great pride when their choices and actions receive recognition. Team members will have to make decisions, good choices and actions to receive recognition and reward. Team members will also have to set goals, track progress, and be accountable. Following an intense season it is my personal hope that your child will emerge from the experience with a noticeable change in his/her personal growth.
Parents/Guardian Role
Support your child by being involved. Parents/Guardians are asked to wait in the hallway during practice. We do ask that you do not interrupt practice, if you do need to speak to a coach please wait until the practice has concluded. We also encouraged Parents/ Guardians to attend all matches. Wrestling will consume a large portion of your child’s free time and will require tremendous discipline so please reward those efforts with your interest.
Please remember to write a note for your child whenever they will be unable to participate or attend a practice and/or an interscholastic match.
All athletes are expected to travel to and from away matches with the team to go back to East High School on the bus.
* * *Please remember to pick up your child promptly from practices and interscholastic matches or to make arrangements for their transportation home.
* * *Any wrestler who is continuously being picked up late from practice/matches will not be permitted to participate (this would lead to that wrestler missing out on their high school wrestling experience).
TEAM GUIDELINES FOR WRESTLERS
The following set of guidelines s based on the Cherry Hill Board of Education Athletic Philosophy. Emphasis is placed on building responsibility and loyalty to the school, the program, the team and coaches. To be a member of the Beck Wrestling Team the student must:
1) Conduct yourself in a responsible manner that will bring respect for your school by demonstrating positive actions and words to opponents, officials, teammates and coaches.
2) Show loyalty to the program by being present for all practices and matches. A note is required for every absence except for being absent from school (which is an excused absence.)
3) Follow practice and match day procedures (outlined in this packet) and be willing to participate at 100% of his capacity.
4) Be able to accept the coaches decision as to starting position and to the weight class to be wrestled.
5) Report all injuries to the coach.
6) Wear no jewelry during practice or matches.
7) Wear the issued team uniform for matches only. Hair control devices must be of a soft material and cover the full head under the headgear.
8) Be responsible for the care and prompt return of the issued uniform or the prompt payment for any parts not returned.
9) Stay with the team in the designated area for pre match warm ups and the entire match, pay attention to the match and follow match day procedures (outlined in this packet.) Misuse of material/supplies will not be tolerated.
10) Accept the official’s decision as to rule violations without comment or gesture. Only the coach may ask an official for rule explanation.
11) Stay until the end of the entire match and help with equipment unless an unforeseen circumstance arises.
12) Be willing to assist at home matches and help with team equipment.
1 3) Conduct yourself appropriately on the team bus by: being seated while the bus is in motion; keeping all parts of the body inside the bus; making no remarks or gestures to people outside the bus; keeping voice volume low so the driver may concentrate; and wear seat belts if provided.
14) Sign along with parent(s) a statement of understanding and willingness to follow the team guidelines and procedures presented in this packet. An infraction of any rule will cause a one match suspension. The athlete is expected to be at the match and help. A second infraction can be cause for dismissal from the team.
TEAM, MATCH AND SCHEDULE INFORMATION
A match consist of 14-2min., 2min, 2min, periods. These matches will be considered the competitive part of the competition and count on the record. Exhibition matches may be wrestled and are designated as a developmental. During this time team members who have not wrestled in the match will be able to engage in interscholastic competition if the opposing team has a wrestler approximately the same weight. This will be determined by availability of wrestlers, time, and officials.
Attached is this year’s proposed schedule. Any changes will be given to the team verbally and changed on the wrestling web page.
http://www.chlive.org/jwade/cherry_hill_east_wrestling.htm
Late busses are NOT provided after practice, or after matches. On the Wrestling Web-page are directions to the schools on our schedule. The athlete should bring all belongings to the matches as the locker room will NOT be opened when the team bus returns to East.
PRACTICE INFORMATION
There is practice every school day (when no match is scheduled unless you are notified by the coaches, or through the school announcements (make sure you pay attention to both morning and afternoon announcements).
Procedures for practice are as follows:
1) After 2:30 dismissal bring ALL belongings that you will be taking home to the locker room. You will not be permitted to go back to your locker.
2) Change into your practice clothing. Wrestling shoes, running shoes, and headgear are required.
3) It is wise not to bring valuables to school during the season. Lock your book bag in a locker and bring your wrestling shoes, running shoes and headgear to practice with you and place it in the designated area in the wrestling room during practice.
4) Report to wrestling room by 2:45. Wait for the coaches to begin practice.
5) If you know you will be leaving practice early. Indicate to the coach with a note you will be leaving early. Leave when it is time for you to go.
6) After the coaches dismiss you from practice, return equipment if asked, walkers are to go straight home. Riders are to wait outside the side of school for their rides, if someone did not come inside to pick them up. Pick-up is promptly at 5:15. All students must be picked up by 5:15.
7) No student is allowed back into the school without permission from the coach.
8) If you are unprepared to practice you may come to watch to show interest in the program, but it will be counted as absent.
9) If you will not be attending practice, give the coach a note or send him an e-mail. The note should be in by 2:00. The athlete may not write the note. It must be clearly written and contain full name, date, reason for missing practice, and Parents/Guardians signature.
10) A water bottle is highly recommended. Please clean up.
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
Home Matches - Go to locker room, Change into your uniform, lock up your book bag. Report to the gymnasium to set up.
Captions – Designate wrestlers to unroll and tape the mats, and set up the chairs. Lead wrestlers in warm-up and stretching exercises. Organize and lead warm-up skills and drills as designated by the coach. Meet with the officials and represent the team during the match.
Wrestlers - Will be asked to be attentive and supportive of fellow wrestlers while they competing and keep their area clean.
End of Match – All wrestlers will meet to shake hands with other team on the mat for congratulations. Put all equipment away. Meet with the coach for any post match instructions. Go home.
Away Matches - Locker Go to locker room, starters check their weight, bring your book bag with you, meet the coach in the locker room, then proceed to the side of the school by entrance to meet the bus. Remember, to bring all of your belongings on the bus.
Captions -Designate players to carry out the water and medical kit. When we arrive on site, lead the players to weigh-ins, get dressed, and then lead wrestler in a warm-up and stretching exercises. Organize and lead warm-up skills and drills as designated by the coach. Meet with the officials and represent the team during the match.
Wrestlers -Board the bus as directed by the coach and follow guideline #13. Conduct themselves appropriately on the team bus by: being seated while the bus is in motion; keeping all parts of the body inside the bus; making no remarks or gestures to people outside the bus; keeping voice volume low so the driver may concentrate; and wear seat belts if provided. Follow the coach’s directions on arrival at the opponent’s school.
End of Match - All players will meet to shake hands with other team on the mat for congratulations. Meet with the coach for any post match instructions. Take equipment to the bus if asked. Go directly to the bus. On arrival at east take the equipment to the gymnasium if asked. Go home.
*At home matches spectators will be directed to view the match from the bleachers/chairs provided. Spectators will not be permitted on the wrestler’s benches or behind the wrestlers.
Please also take time to read the East Athletic Handbook . A link is available on the Cherry Hill East Wrestling webpage.