Wolverine Wrestling
Program
Wrestler and Parent
Guide and Handbook
“Champions”
2012-13 Seasons
Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Program Philosophy
This is what we are about:
1. Achieve our goals
2. Become better wrestlers and individuals
3. Rewarding experience
We will accomplish this by encouraging, supporting and preparing individual wrestlers
as they strive to achieve their individual and team goals. It is our philosophy to be
better prepared, more focused, and better conditioned than our opponents. Technical
superiority is achieved through training and drill.
Program Outline
The Wolverine Wrestling program offers year round training under the umbrella of the
Wolverine Wrestling Club in accordance with WIAA and BHS guidelines.
Essentially, wrestling has two competitive seasons, the Freestyle/Greco Roman season
and the high school season. For the purposes of the WIAA and BHS, Freestyle/Greco
Roman wrestling is a different sport than high school wrestling.
The Wolverine Wrestling Club and the BHS Wrestling team are the two competitive
teams that comprise the Wolverine Wrestling program. The season we are about to enter
is the high school season. High School wrestlers may compete and train for either or
both of these teams during their respective seasons.
The program outline for 2012-2013 is the following:
November 12th: start of collegiate season
December, January, and February: collegiate competition and practice.
February 16th: collegiate season ends.
March: Start of weights, club and competition in Freestyle/Greco Roman wrestling.
March, April and to about May 15th: practice and competition in Freestyle/Greco Roman
wrestling. (Closed spring break)
June and July: Team Camp, nationals practice and high school practice in accordance
with WIAA. (Closed during finals week)
August: Intensive and technique camps and vacation. (no club practice)
September, October and November: pre-season workouts and Freestyle/Greco Roman
practice.
Page 1
Practices
Dual Meets
Tournaments
Open Weights
Freestyle/Greco
Roman Practice
Freestyle/Greco
Roman Tournaments
Summer Training
Freestyle/Grecon
Practice
Spring Season
Open Weights
High School Season
Fall Training Season
Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
High School Practice
Team Camp
Nationals
Intensive/Technique
Camps
High School Competition Season
Wrestling teams and wrestlers compete during a season in two different types of
competition. First, we will compete in dual meets against one or two teams on the same
night. Second, we will compete in tournaments on the weekend.
During a dual meet, the wrestlers compete in individual matches for team points. A
wrestler who wins by decision earns 3 or 4 team points depending on the score of the
match. A wrestler who pins his opponent earns six team points for the team. A wrestler
who wins by technical fall, more than a 15 point lead in the match, earns 5 team points.
The team with the most team points wins the dual meet. At the end of the season, the
team with the best record in dual meets is the dual meet champion.
Weekend tournaments are wrestled in brackets by weight class to determine weight class
and overall team champions. The farther each individual wrestler advances in the bracket
earns the team more points. We will wrestle in six or seven weekend tournaments during
the season prior to post season wrestling.
Each wrestler can wrestle in 33 individual official matches on 16 dates before post
season. Forfeits do not count as an official match. Coach Ovens closely monitors match
count to insure compliance with WIAA regulation. It is the goal of the Wolverine
Wrestling Program to get each wrestler 33 official matches prior to the post season.
During the post season, wrestlers advance individually through the brackets and earn
team points based upon their advancement. There are three post season tournaments:
districts, regions and State. I expect wrestlers in this program to advance into regions and
state as far as your skill and experience will take you. Everyone may practice until the
last wrestler is done with State. You are only as good as your practice partners.
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Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
High School Weight Classes
The weight classes are as follows: 106 lb., 113 lb., 120 lb., 126 lb., 132 lb., 138 lb., 144
lb., 152 lb., 160 lb., 170 lb., 182 lb., 190lb., 220 lb., and 285 lb. A 2lb weight allowance
is given for the post season. A wrestler must wrestle at least one match at scratch weight
in their post season weight class prior to the beginning of the post season.
Weight Management
WIAA regulations govern what weight class a wrestler may compete in. Wrestlers are
assessed for hydration, body weight and body fat percentage. Then based upon the
assessment and WIAA rules a wrestler’s minimum weight will be established that fits
within the weight management guidelines. The lowest weight class is established by
reducing the wrestler’s body fat percentage each week in accordance NWCA guidelines
to a minimum body fat percentage of 7%.
It is the policy of the Wolverine Wrestling Program to adhere to the weight management
guidelines of the WIAA and we do not condone unhealthy weight loss methods.
Wrestlers found to be using diet pills, or engaging in binge/purge eating patterns will be
moved up one or two weight classes. UNHEALTHY weight loss methods are not
necessary to make weight. Our practices are hard enough that your wrestler if on a
healthy diet should lose any undesired body fat.
Wrestlers will wrestle at a weight class that is mutually agreeable to the wrestler and the
coaching staff within their weight management plan. Consideration is given for what
weight offers your wrestler the best chance to be competitive.
Parents can check out weight management by logging onto www.nwcaonline.com and
using their player’s unique id and login password provided by the head coach. Complete
a self-addressed stamped envelope and I will mail you your information.
Wrestlers who miss weight will face team penalties up to and including loss of Varsity
positions. You must control your body weight.
Parents: YOU HAVE THE MOST CONTROL OVER WHAT YOUR WRESTLER EATS,
IF YOU DON’T HAVE HEALTHY FOOD ON HAND FOR THEM TO EAT, THEY WILL
EAT WHATEVER YOU HAVE ON HAND.
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Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Overall Wrestling Strategy:

Pressure wrestle at all times, using sound position and an attack mentality to put
physical and mental pressure on our opponent to break their structure and their
will to wrestle. We don’t stall out a match. We go for the fall, the tech fall and
we get after it.
o Position
o Physical Pressure
o Pace
o Motion

Understand the strategy of the situation and pressure wrestle accordingly.

We will hustle into position, never letting our opponent rest between rounds or
when the action is stopped.

We will wrestle from our feet in all positions.

We attack safely from all positions and at all times.

Listen to coaches during the match and execute accordingly.

Understand that physical mistakes will be made. We will not compound the error
by letting it dictate the rest of the match. Coaches in this program will not yell at
you for making a physical error, we will correct it. Lost matches are a learning
experience, use them accordingly

We will properly execute our techniques. We will use the correct terminology
and it will be consistent throughout our program.

We will use film to improve our wrestling as individuals and as a team.
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Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Coaching Staff:
The coaches will:

Coach the matches aggressively early and situational late.

Will ensure that a wrestler is ready to wrestle at the start of the match.

Never yell at a wrestler for making a physical error.

Will ensure that technical violations are called properly and use discretion when
questioning a technical violation call. Only request a conference when you are
sure that your interpretation of the rule is correct.

Not question referee’s on judgment calls (i.e. Stalling, etc.)

Call the strategy for the match as long as the match is still in question.

Treat each wrestler with dignity and respect.

Coach to win matches, tournaments and dual meets.
Wrestlers:
The wrestler’s will:

Give your best effort every time. This is out of respect for yourself, your parents,
your teammates and your opponent. Striving to win is an important element of
athletics.

Listen to the coaches during the match.

Encourage your teammates, and never treat our opponents negatively.

Be prepared to wrestle at any time.

Assist with the team or any other task asked for by a coach.

Upper classmen will set the example for the team.

Under classmen will follow the leadership example of the team leaders.

Learn the fundamentals of wrestling, skill appropriate technique and seek to
improve each day.
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Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Wolverine Wrestling-High School Season Schedule
(Tentative-dates change according to football playoffs, weather and school closures)
11/24/12:
11/29 /12:
12/1 /12:
12/6 /12:
12/8 /12:
12/13/12:
12/14 - 12/15/12:
12/20/12:
12/27 - 12/28/12:
1/5/13:
1/12/13:
1/10 /13:
1/17 /13:
1/24/13:
2/2 /13:
2/9 /13:
02/15/13:
02/16/13:
Roosevelt Takedown Jamboree
BHS @ Sammammish HS
Timberline Invitational
BHS vs Lake Washington HS
Spud Whalley Invitational
BHS vs Juanita HS
Hammerhead Invitational
BHS @ Interlake
Pac Coast Wrestling Championships
Shoreline Invitational
Jack Reynolds Invitational
BHS @ Mt. Si HS
BHS vs Liberty HS
BHS @ Mercer Island HS
Kingco Championships
Regional Championships
WIAA State Tournament-Qualifying Rounds
WIAA State Tournament-Medal Rounds
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Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Wolverine Wrestling
Equipment and Uniforms
You as wrestlers provide the following personal gear for practice and competition: socks,
support briefs or jock strap, wrestling shoes, shorts, shirt and whitey-tighties (needed for
weigh-ins), head gear, and mouth guard. The mouth guard has to cover the entire set of
braces and must be colored. A shooting sleeve is optional but highly recommended.
Each wrestler must purchase team shorts, team shirt and sweatshirt for wear as warm ups
order forms are attached to this packet. Scholarships are available from the booster club
for those in need. Practice attire cannot have pockets, be excessively loose or baggy. No
hooded sweatshirts at practice. Wrestling appropriate clothing helps to prevent broken
fingers.
Local sporting goods stores have most everything you will need, but they sell-out early in
the season. Go to www.suplay.com for a better selection and to fill out your order.
The wrestling program will provide you with a wrestling singlet and bag to carry your
wrestling equipment in. It is necessary that equipment, uniforms and athletic bags be
kept clean at all times for longevity of the gear and for your personal hygiene.
Hygiene and Injuries
First, you must realize that bruises, soreness, fatigue and pain are associated with hard
training and combat sports. Wrestling is the world’s oldest combat sport. You are
fighting your opponent with rules. Therefore, you must realize that when you have
soreness, fatigue, pain, and bruising you are not necessarily injured. Wrestlers who leave
practice due to injury will need to be medically cleared to return to practice and
competition. Ice bags are for after practice or for acute injuries. Getting adequate rest,
eating right and staying hydrated will assist in you with your recovery from hard training
and competition.
Bleeding is not a reason to stop practicing for the day. If you are bleeding, you need to
stop the blood flow, clean up the blood, get patched up and get back to practice unless
you need stitches.
When seeking medical treatment, go to a Doctor/Clinic that understands sports and
preferably the physical nature of wrestling. For example, cauliflower ear is not per se
reason to miss workouts or matches.
Hygiene has always been an issue is physical sports. The single best thing you can do to
protect yourself from MRSA, ringworm, impetigo and herpes gladitorium is to use antibacterial soap, shower with hot water, and to clean your wrestling gear frequently. It is
preferred that wrestlers shower as soon as practice is over and when they are done with
competition.
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Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Wolverine Wrestling
Player Agreement Form
Congratulations on joining the Wolverine Wrestling Program. You full participation in the program will
bring you many rewards. You should be proud of yourself for making the commitment to wrestle.
Player Conduct/Expectations

You are a student athlete. Being a good student is your first priority.

You are a representative of the program and school. Failure to represent the wrestling program in
a positive matter will result in discipline and possibly removal from the team.

The use of any alcohol, drugs or tobacco is strictly prohibited. If at any time a coach or player
becomes aware of such a violation it will be reported immediately according to the rules and
regulations of the Bellevue High School.

Hazing of any kind will not be tolerated.

You are a representative of a Bellevue High School and the Wolverine Wrestling Program. You
will treat referees, opposing players, opposing coaches, fans, and teammates in a respectful way.

Players will be on time for practice, dressed to wrestle with all necessary equipment. Unexcused
lateness or not having the proper equipment will not count as a practice made. This is not your
parent’s responsibility. No whining during practice. Mats will be clean and warm ups started by
the team captains. Lateness means discipline. Practices missed mean wrestling matches lost.

You must understand that in wrestling you will not meet your own expectations in every match,
tournament or dual meet. Making a public display of your displeasure in your performance is not
productive. The coaching staff will not accept this type of behavior and will immediately correct
it. Repeated behavior issues may result in suspension or dismissal from the program.

All of our coaches will have an “open door policy.” It will be expected of each of you that if you
have a problem you will talk to a coach. You must understand that an appropriate time for such a
discussion will be in private and not during the middle of a practice or a match.

The Varsity and JV wrestler will be determined by the effort, ability and situational decisions
determined by the coaches. There is no guarantee of matches at the High School level. The
coaches will be putting a line-up together that they believe will give the team the best chance to
compete.

Tournament participation is mandatory for Varsity wrestlers. JV wrestlers need to commit by
Wednesday to the tournaments. If you say you are coming, then you are coming.

Injuries are part of sports. The team will not allow self diagnosis. If you miss practice due to
injury then you must see a Doctor or the team trainer to return to practice and compete.
By signing this form, you are acknowledging that you understand the Player Conduct Guidelines and that
you agree to adhere to them.
Signature __________________________________
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Date_____________________
Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Wolverine Wrestling Program
Parent Agreement Form
You should be very proud of your son or daughter for making a commitment to the wrestling program.
There is no other sport that tests and develops character in a young man or young woman. It is the top
priority of this coaching staff to treat your wrestler with the utmost respect and dignity while holding them
accountable to the expectations of their teammates and the wrestling program. Your child will be
challenged and held to high expectations. Our program will emphasize sportsmanship and quality
fundamental wrestling. We are building a program, not just a team for one season that we expect to
compete at the highest level.
Parents Conduct/Information/Expectations
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Your support of our program is a must in order for your child and our program to be successful.
Make as many meets and tournaments as you can.
Practices are open for parents to watch, please do not interrupt.
Make us aware if you have any concerns or questions. Please be sure to do this at an appropriate
time, so to ensure that the issues can be answered properly and the issues resolved.
You must understand that for some of the athletes, this is the first time that playing time is not
guaranteed. Wrestlers will sit and mat time will be an issue. At the Varsity level, the coaching
staff will be establishing the line-up each day in an attempt to compete at the highest level.
During the matches be a fan.
Allow the coaches to coach. If this becomes an issue a coach will talk with you. If this type of
behavior continues a school administrators will be contacted for assistance in this matter.
Our expectations of respectful behavior towards all opposing wrestlers, coaches, fans and referees
extend to our parents. We are all representatives of the Wolverine Wrestling Program.
If your child is dealing with off the mat issues please advise the coach. This will better assist the
coaches to understand exactly what your child is dealing with and allow for adjustments that may
need to be made.
Do not allow your child to do any activities outside of the wrestling program or program activities,
with any coach. The coaches are aware that this is not allowed. Coaches are not allowed to give
your child a ride home. The coaches are here to provide instruction and to be a role model in a
controlled mentor environment. Coaches are not here to be your child’s friend. The coaches are
aware of my (Coach Ovens) direct order regarding this issue so this should not come up. If this
does occur please contact me as soon as possible.
If you see any misconduct by any player or coach, report it to Coach Ovens immediately. I have
an open door policy for all of the parents. If you have problems with me, the Athletic Director
should be contacted.
You have a strong role in the program please assist the booster club in developing the program.
By signing this form you are acknowledging that you have read this and understand it, and are willing to
follow the Parents Conduct expectations of the program.
Signature____________________________________
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Date___________________________
Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Wolverine Wrestling Program
Practice Philosophy and Schedules
The High School wrestling season is constructed in such a way that we do not have many
practices to prepare for the season. Our practices will be intense, covering a lot of
material in a very short period of time. You will be asked to stay focused and give your
best effort at all times. Your effort, retention of the material covered and your attitude
will be noted by the coaching staff and will be the determining factor in who earns mat
time.
Practice times:
Practice will begin 10 minutes after the end of tutorial or school as appropriate.
We will practice or compete 6 days a week including during the holiday season.
Locations:
Due to the limited space available at BHS, practice locations may need to be moved
based upon space availability. You will know where practice each day for the following
day.
Expectations:
 You are to be properly dressed for wrestling. Head gear, mouth guards as
necessary and running shoes will be brought to every practice.
 You will need to bring water because water breaks are too short to go to the
fountain.
 You are to be on the mat and fully ready to go at the start of practice.
 Tardiness will not be tolerated.
 The mats will be ready at the start of practice.
 Film is a time to learn from other wrestler’s matches and from your own.
 No talking during film or when coaches are talking.
 Best effort all the time.
Practice Commitment:
The practice schedule for the day will be posted on the wall. Most practices will be
completed when we complete the items listed on the schedule.
Practice commitment will be 2 plus hours a day depending on the day and your level of
commitment to wrestling.
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Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Schedule:
You will have 10-15 minutes to warm-up. The team captains will run this portion of the
practice. The coaches will utilize this time to go over the practice schedule and goals for
the day.


Warm-ups will start with jogging and body mechanics drills.
The team will then stretch dynamically.
The rest of the practice schedule will be changing on a day-to-day basis.
Expectations:
The coaching staff expects that you will come to practice each day and give your best
effort. We expect mistakes to be made. Practices will be handled as an instructional
environment. Meaning corrections will be made immediately. Mistakes that are made
will be pointed out to all, as it is a learning experience for everyone.
If you don’t understand what is being taught, we need you to speak up.
Instructional Method:
As I stated earlier we will be covering a large amount of material, as well as getting each
of you the necessary rep’s on each skill set. Practices will be intense and will require that
you stay focused and on task.
Generally when learning new skills, we will use the “tell, show, do and drill” format to
enhance your learning.
We will not fill the practice schedule with filler. If it is in the practice, then it is
there for a reason.
If you don’t know why we are doing it, then ask, when appropriate.
It is your responsibility to learn the moves, execute technique and know the names
of the technique. Become a student of the sport, and you will master the sport.
The coaching staff is committed to properly preparing you for the season. It is our
responsibility to cover all needed material and give you the needed repetitions. It is your
responsibility to take advantage of this time and get the most out of the practice time as
you can.
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Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Wolverine Wrestling
Travel Plan and Rules
The team will travel to both in town and out of town tournaments through-out the season.
For in town tournaments, we will meet at the high school and caravan to the tournaments
as a team. Wrestlers are not allowed to drive their own cars to tournaments.
For out of town tournaments, we will usually practice right after school, go home to
shower and eat and then return to the school and caravan to the hotel after traffic has died
down.
The booster club, if funds are sufficient, provides the cost of the hotel and meals at the
hotel.
Typically, we book seven rooms for the fourteen Varsity wrestlers; JV wrestlers can book
their own room at their cost or room with a Varsity wrestler. After arrival at the hotel, we
watch match film in preparation for the following day’s tournament.
Parents typically stay at the team hotel as well at their cost.
Once at the hotel, wrestlers are not allowed to leave the premises and no outsiders are
allowed in the wrestler’s rooms. Failure to follow this rule is grounds for removal from
the team.
Tournament Food
Parents will organize and provide wrestlers with food throughout the day. It is important
that once weigh in is complete that the wrestlers get hydrated and energized with simple
and complex carbohydrates. Wrestlers should eat and drink after every match.
The following foods are recommended:
Bagels and baked energy bars
Low-fat cream cheese
Low-fat string cheese
Turkey or Chicken Deli Meats
Beef and Turkey Jerky
Apples, Oranges and Bananas
Bottled water
Sports drinks
Paper towels, plastic knives, plates and a pen to mark the drinks
The food is for 20 – 25 kids and it is for ALL DAY!
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Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Wolverine Wrestling
Wrestling Terminology and Scoring
Collegiate season:
Takedown – taking an opponent from their feet to the mat with control (2 match points)
Reversal – from bottom position to control in the top position (2 match points)
Escape – breaking loose from an opponent from the bottom position (1 match point)
Near fall (3) – shoulder blades are past 90% towards the mat for a five count (3 points)
Near fall (2) – shoulder blades are past 90% towards the mat for fewer than 3 seconds (2
points)
Fall or Pin – Shoulder blades clearly on mat for 2 seconds earns 6 team points and ends
the match.
Overtime is wrestled if after six minutes the match is tied. A one minute sudden victory
round is wrestled from the feet. The first point scored wins the match. If no points
scored after the one minute sudden victory period then the ultimate tie breaker format is
used. Each wrestler will have choice for a thirty second round of top or bottom position.
The cumulative score earned in both 30 second rounds wins the match.
Decision – When an individual match is won by points. Less than 8 points earns 3 team
points. Match won by 8 or more points earns 4 team points. Wrestler is ahead by 15
points the match is stopped when the bottom wrestler is out of predicament earns 5 team
points.
Forfeit – when there is no wrestler for that weight class earns 6 team points.
The team that has earned the most cumulative team points wins the dual meet.
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Wolverine Wrestling Program 2012/13
Wolverine Wrestling
Parent Support
Parents can support the program in three ways:
1. Attending dual meets, practices and tournaments.
2. Taking on one of the many tasks that need to be done.
3. Fundraising.
Jobs that need to be done:
Team coordinator: (Kristin Mange)
1. See that all of the below gets done, so coaches can coach
2. E-mail list
3. Communicate with team and coach
Tournament coordinator: (Paul Trull)
1. Registration2. Hotels3. Transportation: coordinate-PC, CO
i. Need additional parent drivers
4. Need a food coordinator
i. Parents to supply food
Film: VERY IMPORTANT (Keith Mange)
Awards:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Facility and food for post season banquet
Awards-CO,
Senior Recognition-CO
Letters-CO, MV
Programs and fan support: (?????????????????)
1. ADS for program
2. Information on program
3. Roster
4. Schedule
Fundraising:
1. All parents and wrestlers
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