BULLDOG WRESTLING The Dawg Pound! October, 2014 It is so exciting to watch young people learn and it is so much fun working with the middle school wrestlers! We have experienced great success in the past. We are coming off a very exciting year last year. This year promises to be exciting as well! Although we have graduated a number of excellent wrestlers, we look forward to filling those holes with young wrestlers who will lead us to our next victories. You should be proud that your child is participating in the world s most character building of sports! We look forward to another great season! We realize this initial Newsletter may seem quite long, however, the information is very important. Please read it carefully with your child so there are not misunderstandings. Inside this issue: How to contact the coaches Wrestling Explanation How to join the team Schedules Wrestler Expectations Eligibility Wrestling Fees Who are the Wrestling Coaches The team is coached by Tim Jennings and Ram Echeverria. Ram and I currently work off campus. We will have a number of volunteers assisting us during the season. If you ever need to contact us, please note our phone numbers and email addresses. Tim Jennings 480 229-6176 timothy.j.jennings@intel.com Ram Echeverria 520 251-0197 ramlivestock@gmail.com
What is W R E S T L I N G All About? Wrestling may be new to you as well. This is a highly controlled competition between two individuals of the same weight. The ultimate goal is to hold both your opponent's shoulder blades down on the mat for three seconds. This is called a "pin" and it is worth six team points. Most matches, however, do not end in a pin. A wrestler attempts to score points on an individual by executing certain moves and manipulating his opponent. While watching a match, you'll notice the referee will be wearing a "sweat band" on each wrist. One will normally be green and the other red. One team is designated as green and one as red. The referee will hold up his hand showing one finger, two fingers, or three fingers and that amount of points is awarded the wrestler representing the team of that color wrist band. There are three rounds of one minute each and an overtime round if the score is tied. Beating your opponent by less than eight points earns your team three points. Beating your opponent by eight to fourteen points earns your team four points. The match is over if you are beating your opponent by 15 points and you'll earn your team five points. Ask your child which moves score what points! Weight Classes Help Provide Safety! Great care is taken to assure that wrestlers are wrestling people their own weight. There are specific weight classes and each wrestler is weighed before every match. A wrestler may not weigh even an ounce over the designated weight in his class. The weight classes range from 70 to 200 pounds. If a wrestler weighs in too heavy, he cannot compete that day. If we have more than one wrestler at a given weight class, they will compete in practice to see who earns the honor of representing his school at that weight class. Each wrestling meet will last about two hours depending on two factors: if any, the number of varsity exhibition matches, and the combined duration of each individual match which could last from a few seconds up to four minutes. Varsity Matches are where the Points Are... Only the varsity matches count for team points for the school. Exhibition matches are provided before each match to a few wrestlers who are not wrestling in a varsity match. This provides experience for growth and development of skills and confidence. Wrestlers are chosen for exhibition matches based on performance in practice and the available weight classes of our opponents. They can be either 30 or 60 second periods depending on the mood of the ref. Page 2
What Do I Need To Do Join The Team? Before any wrestler can begin practice they must have a physical examination from a doctor. Your child should have picked up a physical examination "check-sheet" at the front office for the doctor to complete. This card should be turned into the office no later than Monday, November 3rd. We realize that this allows very little time, but we have very little time before our first match. If this is not possible, please contact the coach or athletic director. Your child will need (in total) three different forms completed. 1. An Athletic Participation Card signed by a parent/guardian. 2. A Physical examination card filled out by a doctor. (Each Year) 3. An academic eligibility form filled out by your child's teachers when delivered by your child. 4. Newsletter verification form and contract signed by both parents and wrestlers. When is my Paperwork Due? Each wrestler gets three days of experiencing our program. After they decide to stay with it, a fee is charged. Check with the office for this years fee amount. All these forms have been handed out to your child OR can be picked up in the administration office. ALL FORMS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN November 3rd in the morning. First practice begins at 3:45 PM on Monday, November 3rd. What Equipment do I need? Your child should wear a T-Shirt and either shorts or sweat pants to practice. An athletic supporter is highly recommended. Boxers will not be worn. We have Pueblo Wrestling T-Shirts that will be available for purchase. Wrestling shoes and head gear are required equipment. Proper equipment always minimizes the chances of injury. You may purchase both shoes and head gear at most athletic supply stores. If purchasing head gear is not possible for you, the school may supply head gear for your wrestler, if available. If your child wears braces on their teeth, a mouth piece is mandatory as well. Page 3
Practice & Match Schedule As stated above, we will begin practicing on Monday, Nov. 3. Practices begin at 3:45 PM and end at 6:00 PM. Conditioning and proper training is essential for the health and safety of each wrestler. Therefore, it is important that all wrestlers attend practices. Practices will be held Monday through Friday until the first match. Any changes to this will be communicated to the parents. Our matches will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 5:00. Once matches begin, practices will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday unless otherwise notified. We strongly encourage all family and friends to attend each match. You are even invited to attend practice as well. A match schedule will be handed out to all wrestlers as soon as it becomes available. Remember, transportation to away matches is provided by the school. After matches, students will return to Pueblo on the bus. If you are present at the match and would like to take your child home from the match without first going back to the school, please sign the release sheet supplied by the coach. Pueblo has early release on Wednesdays. Practice will still be held at 3:45 on these days. Most wrestlers will be able to go home and return for practice. For those who can t, it is critical that they find a way to return to the school for practice. Maybe stay at a friend s house and do homework. WHAT IS THE COACHING PHILOSOPHY We believe that wresting for middle school students is primarily an opportunity for conditioning, practice, training, the acquisition of skills and experience. It is our aim to provide the instruction and experience necessary for your child to feel comfortable and confident on the mat so when they are in high school, they will have a head start on their interscholastic wrestling team. We focus on learning and practicing the moves and skills required to beat an opponent. Our aim is to build character through pride, commitment and courage...helping young men accomplish things they never thought possible! We have very high expectations for classroom behavior and performance as well. ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY All student/athletes must earn at least a "C" in each class and satisfactory behavior in all classes. Each wrestler s teachers will notify the coaching staff, the student and the parent if a student is progressing in an unsatisfactory manner in their class. Failing classes and/or unsatisfactory behavior is certainly grounds for dismissal from the team. Managing time, therefore, becomes a skill each student-athlete must master. The earlier in their athletic "career" they master "time management", the better off they will be. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Pueblo main office.
Participation Fee The District has established an athletic participation fee to help offset the cost of our after-school athletic program. The office will have the fee amount for this school year. These fees can be designated as a tax credit donation. All fees are due on the first day of practice for cut sports and on the 4 th day of practice for non-cut sports. There are no refunds. Once a fee is paid, a refund cannot be given, even if the athlete gets hurt, the athlete quits or is suspended from the team, or the athlete becomes ineligible due to grades or behavior. As stated in the Kyrene Handbook, the coach will determine playing time based on attendance and participation at practice, effort, ability, attitude and sportsmanship. Every effort shall be made to maximize each participant s playing time. Financial assistance is available. Scholarship applications are available in the school office or at the District Office and should be submitted before tryouts begin. Athletes may not begin practice until the scholarship is approved. PARENT MEETING We will hold a parent informational meeting after practice. We will try to find a date that will be convenient for our wrestling families. Stay Tuned! Athletic Purpose The purpose of our district s athletic program is to provide an educationally sound program that emphasizes participation, cooperation, good sportsmanship and teamwork as well as healthy competition for the middle school student. Our goal is to provide the student athlete with the opportunity to acquire basic skills, confidence, and knowledge of the game along with a sense of loyalty, team play and sportsmanship. We are looking forward to a great season and a lot of fun!
Coaches Letter Verification Form Please sign and return to Coach Jennings. I have read and understand the coaches letter for wrestling. Player Name: (Print) Grade: Parent/Gardian Signature: Date: