Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Topics

  1. USA WRESTLING MEMBERSHIP CARD AND WAIVER FORMS
  2. TOURNAMENTS
  3. WRESTLING SEASONS
  4. AGE DIVISIONS AND WEIGHT CLASSES
  5. SEASON FEES AND PRIVATE TRAINING
  6. WRESTLING ATTIRE
  7. CLEANLINESS AND PREVENTING SKIN DISEASES

1.  USA WRESTLING MEMBERSHIP CARD AND WAIVER FORMS

Why do I need a USA Wrestling Membership Card?

USA Wrestling, the organization that regulates all wrestling in the United States, requires that all wrestlers purchase a USA Wrestling Card Membership before participating in any USA Wrestling sanctioned events, including club practices, camps, clinics, etc.  This membership is for the protection of everyone involved and provides secondary insurance to those with the membership.

Do I need to do anything other than purchase my USA Wrestling Card each year before I am covered by the USA Wrestling insurance?

YES!  You must fill out registration forms, medical information forms, and submit payment via the WSWA Membership Page. In addition, you must fill out and complete the WSWA Waiver Form and the USA Wrestling Waiver Form.  These completed and signed forms must be kept on file with WSWA along with a copy of the membership card.  You can complete the waiver forms and submit them at your first practice.  Please let us know if you have any trouble completing these forms or if you have any questions.

Where do I buy my USA Wrestling Membership Card?

To buy your USA Wrestling Membership Card, please go to https://www.usawmembership.com.  The purchase price is $50 and covers membership for one year; from September through August.  You may purchase your membership at any time during the year, however, the membership benefits do not apply retroactively and expire at the end of August each year.  Your USA Wrestling Membership Card number will remain the same each year.

In the case of an injury, where can I find the USA Wrestling insurance information that I need?

In the unfortunate case of an injury, please go to https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Membership/Insurance-Information.aspx to find all of the information and forms that you will need to submit a claim with USA Wrestling.

How can I get my USA Wrestling ID and password if I do not have it or forgot it?

First go to https://www.usawmembership.com/.  Then click on the link to have your login information emailed to you.  Enter your USA Wrestling ID or email address.  If you enter your USA Wrestling ID, the system will email the login information for that USA Wrestling ID to the email address associated with that ID.

How do I print my membership card?

Login to the membership system at https://www.usawmembership.com/.  Click “Profile” in the upper right corner of the screen OR in your left menu.  Scroll down to the athlete, coach, and/or official area of your profile.  Click on the red link that says “PRINT CARD.”  It is not necessary to put anything in the card number field to print the card out.

2.  TOURNAMENTS

How do I register for tournaments?

Tournament registration information will be provided 2 weeks prior to upcoming tournaments.  To see a schedule of upcoming tournaments refer to the Schedule page of our website.

Should my son/daughter compete in tournaments their first year wrestling?

This will be on a case to case basis.  WSWA prefers that our wrestlers feel fully confident on the mat before competing.  If the WSWA Coaches do not feel that the wrestler is confident then our preference is to have them just practice for the first season or year and start loving the sport before competing.

Do I need a WSWA singlet to compete?

You will need a WSWA singlet to compete for our club.  We like all of our wrestlers to look the same because it supports team comradery and shows our dominance at tournaments.  We have singlets for sale and will take orders in the beginning of the season during the first week.  If you choose to purchase your own singlet, it must be navy blue.  We will add the WSWA logo for you.

What are the different types of tournaments?

There are basically two types of tournaments, individual and dual meets (duals).  WSWA Club tournaments are all individual tournaments.  In individual tournaments wrestlers in each weight class are in a double elimination bracket wrestle through that bracket to determine the weight class champion.  When tournaments have five or less kids in the weight class, they typically run a round robin bracket, which means that you will wrestle everyone at your weight before a champion is determined.  Wrestlers in individual tournaments also earn team points based on their match results.  This type of tournament structure results in individual champions as well as a team champion for the tournament.

3.  WRESTLING SEASONS

When does the wrestling season start?

There are two wrestling seasons:  Folkstyle and Freestyle/Greco-Roman (“FS/GR”).  FS/GR Season goes from March through May and starts just after the Folkstyle State Tournament.  WSWA holds a Fall Season from September through November to prepare wrestlers for the upcoming scholastic Folkstyle Season.

What are the major differences between Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling styles?

There are several major differences between Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling styles.  One of the biggest differences is that Greco-Roman consists of all upper body wrestling.  It is illegal to touch or use your legs to gain position or prevent your opponent’s attack.  For additional information about the different styles of wrestling, including the point systems and rules, please click the following link: http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0047/4285/Folkstyle__Freestyle__and_Greco-Roman___points_v2.pdf.

Do all countries wrestle all three wrestling styles?

No.  The United States is the only country with Folkstyle wrestling and this is the style that is wrestled in the school system, including colleges and universities.  Freestyle and Greco-Roman are the two wrestling styles that are wrestled at the World Championships and the Olympics.

4.  AGE DIVISIONS AND WEIGHT CLASSES

What age division and weight class am I in?

There are several age divisions and weight classes.  The division in which you wrestle is dependent upon your birth date and experience.  Weight classes are dependent upon how much you weigh at the time you weigh-in for a tournament.  To determine which division and weight class applies to you, go to http://content.themat.com/forms/Weights.pdf.

What happens if I weigh more than my weight class at the time that I weigh-in for a tournament?

If you weigh more than the weight class for which you registered at the time that you weigh-in, then you will not be allowed to participate in the tournament at that weight class.  You will however be allowed to participate at a higher weight class.

5.  SEASON FEES AND PRIVATE TRAINING

What are the FEES for the different wrestling seasons, camps, and private training? 

Please contact us directly and/or refer to the Membership page of our website for current season fees.

Can I join WSWA at any time during a season?

Yes.  Registration is always ongoing, so you may join WSWA anytime during the season.

If I join later in the season, will my club dues be prorated?

We might be able to prorate you club dues depending upon how late it is in the season.  Please contact us directly to discuss any questions about prorating your dues or if you have any other questions about your dues.

Do you offer private lessons?

Yes. If you are interested in private lessons, please contact us directly to discuss times and cost.

6.  WRESTLING ATTIRE

What do I wear to practice?

Shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants are all great to practice in, but be sure that they do not have any zippers or metal buttons because they can cause injuries or damage the mats.  You should also wear socks and wrestling shoes to practice.  If you are just getting started and do not yet have wrestling shoes, you can wear socks and very clean running/athletic shoes.  We ask that you get wrestling shoes as soon as possible because only wearing socks or running/athletic shoes could cause an ankle or other injury due to the lack of support that wrestling shoes provide.

Where can I get wrestling shoes and headgear?

Any retail sporting goods store (i.e. Dick’s Sporting Goods) has wrestling shoes, headgear, and knee pads.  There are several online options including Amazon or wrestling specific online retailers such as  https://www.wrestlinggear.com/.

Do I need a WSWA singlet to compete?

You will need a WSWA singlet to compete for our club.  We like all of our wrestlers to look the same because it supports team comradery and shows our dominance at tournaments.  We have singlets for sale and will take orders in the beginning of the season during the first week.  If you choose to purchase your own singlet, it must be navy blue.  We will add the WSWA logo for you.

Do I need to buy WSWA team gear?

We like all of our wrestlers to look the same at tournaments because it supports team comradery and makes it easier for the coaches to see all of our wrestlers.  We will have as many wrestlers competing at tournaments and it is imperative that we be able to easily spot our wrestlers so that we do not miss their matches.  WSWA required gear includes a WSWA T-shirt (included with registration) and singlet.

How many singlets do I need?

You only need one singlet for the Folkstyle season.  For Freestyle/Greco-Roman season you may need both a blue singlet and a red singlet depending on the tournament.  WSWA will have singlets for sale.  Please contact us for questions about sizes and availability.

7.  CLEANLINESS AND PREVENTING SKIN INFECTIONS

Wrestlers are susceptible to skin infections from contact with their opponents as well as the wrestling mats.  Good hygiene is important to avoid and minimize skin infections. Education and taking proper precautions are paramount to avoid skin infections.  The following are some general tips Additional information can be found at USA Wrestling.

  • Shower within 60 minutes after practice. The longer you wait to shower after practices and matches, the more time harmful germs are allowed to stay and grow on your skin. When showering, always use liquid antibacterial soap and a mesh scrub to ensure that you are both killing the bacteria and limiting the amount of bacteria that can be left on your showering equipment.
  • Finger nails should be trimmed to prevent scratches. Certain types of bacteria and fungi may live underneath the fingernails, and can easily be transmitted to another wrestler’s skin.
  • Don’t share any equipment or any item that is used during practice, especially shoes and headgear, should absolutely never be shared. This is a very easy way to spread infections.
  • Wear clean practice gear every practices session, this includes t-shirts, shorts, and socks. You absolutely cannot wear the same gear for more than one practice, as that is an easy way to transmit skin infections to your teammates.
  • Clean all equipment daily. Any equipment that is used on a daily basis needs to be thoroughly cleaned to ensure harmful germs are not hiding out in them. Towels, uniforms, and any other piece of equipment should be washed and dried after every use.
  • Don't leave clothes or wet/sweaty knee pads in a bag or locker. Clean/air out the bag every day.
  • Keep wrestling shoes clean. The majority of bacteria and fungi that is brought into the wrestling room gets there from being on the bottoms of wrestlers’ shoes. Don’t wear your wrestling shoes outside of the wrestling room, especially into the restroom. Also, don’t step on the mat wearing gym or street shoes.