WRESTLER – PARENT SOT HANDBOOK
PRACTICE GUIDELINES
Pre-Practice
Before an athlete arrives at the Universal Training Center, you are responsible to prepare
him or her with the appropriate gear: a practice doublet, t-shirt, shorts, athletic socks, wrestling
shoes, and always a pair of running shoes. Because sweat and skin carry odor and disease, it is
preferred that students have separate bags for academic items and practice equipment. Headgear
is optional; but if you elect to wear headgear, it must be for the entire practice. While we will devote
time to the conditioning in addition to skill instruction, your athlete should prepare for the physical
demands of an intense practice by getting mentally prepared. Make sure your athlete maintains
adequate hydration and sufficient nutrition throughout the day and gets plenty of rest at home.
Attendance & Absence
Wrestlers are expected to be at every practice. If an illness, injury, skin condition, or
personal / academic situation precludes an individual’s participation, parents are asked to email or
text the head coaches ahead of time. Those who are absent miss out on valuable instruction; they
fall further behind in their skill level and conditioning. Subsequently, they are not as prepared to
compete safely and successfully at the highest level. If a wrestler misses a number of practices, the
head coaches reserve the right to limit his or her tournament participation.
Practice Schedule
For those attending the Universal Learning Center, there will be two practices a day: ninety
minutes in the morning are grouped by experience and ability; afternoon sessions will be for two full
hours. At the head coaches’ discretion, 8-&-Under wrestlers who have placed at the national level
may be included in the Elite sessions.
Mondays and Wednesdays
 Open to all levels and age groups. 8-&-Under will be included only if invited by the coaches.
Tuesdays and Thursdays
 7th and 8th graders will have a drill and live wrestling session during the morning 90-minute
block. During the afternoon session, they will do circuit training, conditioning, and running.
 Younger wrestlers up through 6th grade will have a regular practice on these afternoons.
Fridays
 Regular practice will be held for all ages and levels, except where the tournament schedule
requires Friday travel or participation. This will be announced through a group email.
Practices will change from the folkstyle fall-winter schedule to the spring-summer freestyle &
Greco. See the website for specific times and for all tournament information. If practice times are
changed or cancelled, an email notification will be sent to all club members; make sure your
information is current with the Website Coordinator, Greg Eller.
Practice Ethics – PARENTS:
1. During a practice session, please stay out of the main gym area. Do not go beyond the
double doors except to pass through to the lounge. The Center will also remain open for
those who do not want to stay in the gym.
2. Please do not communicate with your athlete or address the coaches unless approached.
3. During the folkstyle season, coaches will determine an appropriate time for parents to view a
portion of practice.
4. When you are allowed to be in attendance, please lower your voices especially during
instruction.
5. If you have a concern to address with the coaches, let them know in advance or approach
them at the conclusion of practice.
6. If you cannot maintain a positive and supportive attitude toward your wrestler and the
coaches, even if you are a coach, you are asked to not be in attendance.
Practice Ethics – WRESTLERS:
1. Be dressed and ready for practice a minimum of 15 minutes before the start time.
2. Listen to all adult coaches. Respect your peers; no bullying or taunting.
3. Work to your individual best in all drills and live wrestling sessions.
4. Select a partner who will challenge your level and help you maintain your focus. Please
recognize that selecting a good partner may mean someone who is not in your weight class
or age group. The coaching staff will have the ultimate say as to your practice partner or
competition group.
5. Expect to stay for the entire length of practice unless you have informed the coaches in
advance about an acceptable conflict.
6. All wrestlers must possess a current USA Wrestling card. This card provides the individual
with insurance, as well as the club which must have 100% membership to be covered.
Factors Which May Influence Participation
If the coaches believe that disciplinary measures are warranted, they will speak with the
wrestler and the parents. These may include a time-out or an early exit from practice for less
serious offenses, up to suspension or expulsion for more serious situations. Within the practice
setting, wrestlers are expected to be attentive, respectful, and responsive at all times. Wrestlers
who also attend the Center may have their morning or afternoon practice time reduced or eliminated
due to a failure to meet academic goals or behavioral guidelines. A student with academic needs
will remain at the Center with a supervising teacher until s/he completes the necessary work. If a
wrestler is not allowed to participate in a practice for behavioral reasons, parents will be asked to
pick up the wrestler at the conclusion of the academic day (3:30 p.m.).
Weight Management Protocol
Wrestlers will receive some guidance from the coaches with regard to nutrition, rest, and the
management of their weight. The SOT coaches ask that weight cutting be kept at a minimum. We
focus hard on peak points which have a bearing on which weight class a wrestler participates in.
For those involved in series tournaments like RMN (Triple Crown, etc.) and WOW (Tulsa Series),
these wrestlers will be asked to enter in the next weight up from the previous weekend. For
example, if the Tulsa weight class is 77, then s/he would wrestle at 80 pounds at an RMN
tournament the following weekend. We may also suggest taking weekends off from certain
tournaments to prepare more thoroughly for peak points.
In all, weight management necessitates an ongoing dialogue between the parents, the
athlete, and the coaches. Take into consideration a year-long plan, which accounts for certain peak
moments as well as for the natural growth and maturation of a young adult. If an athlete is involved
in a weight loss program, coaches may ask to see a weekly log of what they are eating. It is highly
recommended that athletes and parents access the nutrition readings listed in the Appendix.
Practice Room Guidelines
The fall begins a long season of high expectations from both kids and parents. Therefore, at that time
we ask all parents to stay out of the room during practice. While teaching, we cannot raise our voices to be
heard over parents’ conversations. This sport is very demanding on any athlete and requires a tremendous
amount of focus and dedication. Kids cannot stay focused when they know their mother or father will be upset
because they are getting taken down. We have been successful because we maintain a high level of intensity
and concentration. The lunch room will be open as well as the school, if needed, but not the front
room. Please understand that these practices are for coaches and wrestlers only! As we move through the
year we will have designated parent nights and will inform you when they occur. Contact the coaches if you
have any questions, but the rule will not change.
Conferences
For more concerns related to an athlete’s participation or performance, please give us at
least 24 hours advance notice to set up a conference with parents and the wrestler, so we can have
the benefit of everyone’s full attention.
TOURNAMENT EXPECTATIONS
Parents are required to sit with the team and be in attendance at least 30 minutes in
advance of the meet. Wrestlers are to know their bouts in advance; parents (except 8-&-under) do
not need to take them there personally, as a coach will help prepare them for competition. Parents
of wrestlers who are eliminated from a tournament are asked to remain for the duration of the
tournament in order to celebrate and support the efforts of all in attendance. Remember: we are
there as a team first. At national tournaments, we proudly support all wrestlers from Colorado.
Unless you are a designated member of the coaching staff, we would appreciate your
remaining in the stands. However, parents may get coach bands to reduce entrance costs. All
parents are required to get a USA Wrestling Coaches card. For everyone’s protection, this card
requires each individual to get a background check. It allows the card holder to participate in all
levels of the organization, including voting in the annual general CUSAW session each September.
During season and travel times, please remain in communication with the coaches. Make
sure you arrive well ahead (at least an hour) of the scheduled weigh-in or competition session. If
there are travel complications, please advise the coaches so they can contact tournament personnel
as far in advance as possible.
While all of the tournaments have an element of individual competition, many also have a
team scoring aspect in which we are also invested as a club. Wrestlers who have the potential to
score for the team may be asked by the coaches to spread themselves across the weight class
categories. Bear in mind that wrestlers do not necessarily need to make the lowest weight for every
tournament; in fact, your wrestler will be healthier and happier if s/he is allowed to select certain
tournaments or tournament series where it is more important in terms of placement and ranking to
make the lower weight class.
SOT ACADEMY WRESTLER PACKAGES
Those who attend the ULC are eligible for the SOT packages at a discounted rate.
See the www.sotacademy.com website for specific details on packages & payments.
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Payment for all packages must be made by the beginning of each pay period. Year-long
contracts begin on September 1st and go through August 31st. First payment is due by 9-01.
Athletes who join the club or Center after Sept. 1st may qualify for a pro-rated annual fee; see
Jeff or Luke for details.
Initial payment for each year’s Academy tuition must be accompanied by the signed contract and
an updated information sheet.
Practices per ‘A’ package, for those who only attend SOT Academy: Platinum includes 5 days a
week of practice; Gold is 3 days a week; Silver is 2 days a week; and Bronze is one day a week.
Practices per ‘B’ package, available only to those who attend the ULC: Platinum, Gold, Silver,
and Bronze include 5 days a week.
If the ‘A’ packages are paid quarterly (which is the equivalent of 3 months), you will eligible to
change your package each quarter. This gives an athlete the option, if s/he is playing another
sport, to choose a lesser package during that season.
Each additional family member on all ‘B’ plans and Platinum/Gold ‘A’ plans will receive an
additional discount: 25% for second wrestler, 40% for third wrestler and any additional sibling.
Whichever package you choose, if payment is more than 5 days late, there will be a late fee of
$25 assessed each week it is late.
If your payment is late by 30 days or more, your wrestler’s participation will be terminated; you
will be required to pay a $100 reinstatement fee.
Uniforms can be purchased at a club discount; contact Jeff for more information.
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Home-schooled athletes who would like additional sessions, such as the morning work-outs or
individual instruction, contact Jeff or Luke for special pricing.
CAMPS: Only available to those who pay on time and in advance. Platinum Package ‘A’ & ‘B’
members who pay the full amount in advance will receive one 5-day for free, valued at over $600.
All Gold, Silver, & Bronze ‘A’ Package monthly-pay wrestlers will receive a free Sunday all-day
camp, valued at $100. Gold Package ‘A’ (quarterly-pay only) & all ‘B’ members receive 3 days of
camp for free, valued at $350 or more. Silver Package ‘B’ members will receive two all-day Sunday
camps, valued at $100 apiece or more. Also, all Platinum, Gold, and Silver ‘A’ & ‘B’ members will
receive a discount to ANY camp held during the membership year, in addition to the camp for which
you are eligible.
Beginners are highly encouraged to participate in Pikes Peak Saturday Tournaments where we are
league members, as well as participating in the optional WSWL “Experienced” Sunday Tournaments
(coach assisted). SOT participates in and is a member in Pikes Peak Wrestling League.
Participation in these tournaments is optional but recommended for those who do not travel to the
more competitive weekend tournaments. ** USA Wrestling Card Required for participation. Cards
may be purchased at www.pikespeakwrestling.com or www.themat.com (which provides club
insurance coverage for practice).
WRESTLING RESOURCE LIBRARY (see full version w/ books & movies in separate document)
TOURNAMENTS (Abbreviation – “Age as of” Date – Website)
 American Crown (AMC): 1-Jan
www.americacrownwrestling.com
 Rocky Mountain Nationals (RMN): 1-Jan www.rmnevents.com
 National United Wrestling Asso. for Youth (NUWAY): 1-Jan www.nuwaywrestling.com
 Steel City Wrestling (ST CTY): 1-Jan
www.steelcitywrestling.com
 World of Wrestling (WOW): 1-Sep www.worldofwrestling-roller.com
 U.S. Jr. Open Championship: 1-Sep
www.usjoc.com
 Midwest Nationals Wrestling (Midwest): 1-Sep
www.midwestnationalswrestling.com
 Colorado State Youth Wrestling Championships (CO State): 1-Sep
www.pikespeakwrestling.com/colorado-state-youth-wrestling-championship
 Colorado Middle School State Championships [RMN – 4 Regionals + State]: 6th-8th Grade
www.rockymountainnationals.com/colorado-middle-school-state-championships
 USA Wrestling (USAW): 1-Jan + Birth Year www.themat.com/section.php?section_id=4
 USAW Pre-Season Nationals (USA PRE): Grade Groups www.preseasonnationals.com
 Super 32 Challenge: Battle for the Belt! (SUPER 32): Grade www.super32.com
 Blue Chip Wrestling (BC): Grade www.bluechipwrestling.com/Tournaments-W20.aspx
EQUIPMENT
 All-American Wrestling (USAW): www.usawrestlingproducts.com
 Blue Chip: www.bluechipwrestling.com
 Suplay Wrestling Products: www.suplay.com
 World Wide Wrestling: www.wwsport.com
 Wrestling Gear.com: www.wrestlinggear.com
 Xtreme Pro Apparel (RMN): www.rmnevents.3dcartstores.com (BXB is Regional Sales Rep)
NEWS, RANKINGS, & WEBSITES (many tournament sites also have youth rankings)
 Amateur Wrestling News: www.awn.theopenmat.com
 CO High School Activities Association: www.chsaa.org/sports/wrestling
 CO High Sch Individual/Team Rankings: contact tim@onthematrankings.com to subscribe
 CO High School Rankings: www.hswrestling.net/colorado-high-school-wrestling-rankings
 Colorado USA Wrestling: www.cusaw.org
 Colorado Wrestling (news & message board): www.cowrestling.com
 InterMat Wrestling: www.intermatwrestle.com
 International Wrestling News: www.news.internationalwrestling.org
 MaxPreps (rankings, scores, pictures): www.maxpreps.com/state/wrestling/colorado.htm
 Pikes Peak Wrestling League: www.pikespeakwrestling.com
 Predicament (Iowa Wrestling): www.thepredicament.com/links.asp
 Rocky Mtn. Nationals: www.rockymountainnationals.com/rankings
 Track Wrestling (tournament entry): www.trackwrestling.com/tw/Login.jsp
 USA Wrestling: www.themat.com/section.php?section_id=5
 WIN Magazine: www.win-magazine.com
 Wrestling USA Magazine: www.wrestlingusa.com
 WWE Magazine (professional): www.wwe.com/magazine
INSPIRATIONAL READING
 Four Days to Glory (Mark Kreider):
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Days-Glory-WrestlingHeartland/dp/0060823194/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375817844&sr=1-1&keywords=high+school+wrestler+biography
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Never Stop Pushing (Rulon Gardner):
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No Excuses – Congenital Amputee (Kyle Maynard): http://www.amazon.com/No-Excuses-Congenital-Champion-
http://www.amazon.com/Never-Stop-Pushing-WyomingOlympic/dp/0786715936/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375818151&sr=1-1&keywords=never+stop+pushing
Wrestling/dp/1596980109/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375817940&sr=1-2&keywords=high+school+wrestler+biography
INSTRUCTIONAL BOOKS
BOOK LIST: Minnesota Amateur Wrestling: www.theguillotine.com/general/books.html
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Coaching Youth Wrestling (American Sport Education Program):
http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/coaching-youth-wrestling-3rd-edition
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Season on the Mat, A: Dan Gable and the Pursuit of Excellence (Nolan Zavoral):
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http://www.amazon.com/Season-Mat-Gable-PursuitPerfection/dp/1416535535/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375855670&sr=1-1&keywords=a+season+on+the+mat
Winning State – Mental Toughness (Steve Knight): http://www.amazon.com/WinningSTATE-WrestlingAthletes-Guide-Competing-Mentally/dp/B006JFF1OK/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375817136&sr=14&keywords=wrestling+instruction
Wrestling Drill Book (William Welker): http://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-Drill-Book-2nd-WilliamWelker/dp/1450432166/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375817082&sr=1-2&keywords=wrestling+instruction
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
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Basic Par Terre Techniques, Scoring From the Feet (Tricia Saunders) – Championship Productions
Bobby Douglas Wrestling: www.bobbydouglas.com/instruction.html
Championship Productions (books, too): www.championshipproductions.com
Coach UP (Private Coaching Online): www.coachup.com/sports/wrestling
Headlock Wrestling Academy (Elite): www.headlockwrestlingacademy.com
Training Video (Les Anderson): www.thewrestlingsite.com
Virtual Training (Coach Clayton): www.session6wrestling.com/virtual-training.html
World Class Wrestling Institute (Carl Adams): www.carladams.com
FULL-LENGTH MOVIES/DVD’S
 Champion of Champions: What It Takes! (with Mark Schulz, Kevin Jackson, Bruce Baumgartner,
Brandon Slay, Dan Gable, Ben Peterson, Jeff Blatnick, John Smith, Tom Brands) – WEB Productions
 Hammer, The: UFC Fighter Matt Hamill – Tapout Films/Fifth Year Productions
 Legendary (John Cena, WWE – Oklahoma) – WWE Studios, Samuel Goldwyn Films
 Making of An Amateur Champion (with Ken Chertow, Randy Couture, Steve Fraser, Terry Brands, Kenny
Monday, Henry Cejudo) – Xavian Productions, RMN Events
 Pinned (Cleveland, OH) – Lakewood Films
 Streak, The: Brandon High School (FL) – ESPN Films (459 straight dual meet wins)
 Veritas: Jon Trenge (NCAA Champion, Lehigh) – Island Gateway Films
 Vision Quest (Matthew Modine) – Warner Bros.
 Win Win (Paul Giametti) – Fox Searchlight Pictures
NUTRITION & HEALTH
(to access articles, press “Control” and click your mouse on the link; print or save these documents)
 Eating Disorders: www.eatingdisorderfoundation.org, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
 Nutrition For Wrestlers - Blair Wrestling
 Long Term Effects of Weight Cutting: http://www.livestrong.com/article/538919-long-termeffects-of-cutting-weight-in-wrestling/
 National Wrestling Coaches Association: www.nwcaonline.com/sportscience.cfm
 nutrition ideas for wrestlers eating healthy every day - Iowa High
 Optimal Wrestling Nutrition:
www.mhsaa.com/MHSAA_ARCHIVE/sports/.../Nurtrition%202004.pdf
 USA-CT Wrestler Diet: http://www.usawct.org/coachescorner/diet.php
 Wrestlers' Diet - MPSSAA.org
 Wrestling Nutrition Tips.pdf - Quest School of Wrestling
SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY
 Competitive Advantage Sports Psychology: www.competitivedge.com/catalog/wrestling
 Luminosity (brain games & training): www.lumosity.com
 Mental Toughness Training:
www.sectiononewrestling.com/documents/wrestling_psychology_mental_toughness_wrestling.html
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Performance Excellence Center: http://www.maryfreebed.com/RehabServices/PerformanceExcellenceCenter
Sports Doc: http://blog.drstankovich.com/new-wrestling-dvd-from-dr-stankovich-great-foryouth-interscholastic-college-wrestlers/
UNT Sports Psychology Center: http://sportpsych.unt.edu/