Our Practices
The exercises we will do each day in practice are suited to all fitness levels and can often be adjusted to support both students who need to work at a slower pace and those who seek to be more challenged. We will develop balance, coordination, strength, agility, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, and an appreciation for exercise. Building fitness is the key to the proper execution of techniques that are taught in the wrestling room as well as preventing injury. Safety is very important to us. We encourage students to have fun, so we will play wrestling games, as well as hosting plenty of live wrestling opportunities during practice. These are opportunities for students to creatively explore the techniques they learn as well as develop social skills. As a part of our training program each student will be pushed physically as well mentally to seek improvement throughout the course of the season. Each student comes into the mat room at a different level of experience, athleticism, and understanding. Our focus is on growth from the first day of practice until the last day. We do this by pairing students with partners of similar size and skill levels and allowing them to work at their own pace, while encouraging effort and development over match results. Parents are always invited to watch our practices. Safety
Wrestling is an aggressive sport, but we strive to quickly learn how to control that aggression. An out of control athlete, no matter how strong or fast, will almost always be defeated by a skilled wrestler who is in control of their mind and their body. For this reason, we focus on control first and let the intensity develop at the pace of individual understanding. Many studies have shown that wrestling is far less dangerous than other sports, including gymnastics, ice hockey, and lacrosse. No sport or activity is completely risk free, and wrestlers do experience their share of strains and sprains. Severe or persistent injuries are very rare, and much less likely to happen on the wrestling mat then they are in many recreational activities that kids participate in such as cycling, rollerblading, or skateboarding. Professional wrestling and MMA-type combat is a topic many people think of when they think about wrestling. Techniques taught within our club are compliant with the rules and safety guidelines of youth, high school, and college folkstyle wrestling. Given the close quarters of wrestling, skin infections are a possibility. We greatly reduce the risk of skin infections and keep wrestlers healthy with abundant use of cleaners and disinfectants at every wrestling competition and practice, in conjunction with common sense personal hygiene, which we will need your help to maintain. |
Participation Fees
Fees for the 2019-2020 season are as follows: Middle School (grades 6-8) $200 or $60 for free/reduced lunch. Elementary School (grades K-5) $100 These fees help us cover: - Wrestling cards - Team t-shirts - Singlets/headgear/shoes to be checked out for the season - Our end of season party We strive to reduce costs as much as possible to meet the needs of our community. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions! Tournaments
Mid-week events are hosted by the PIL and will take place at locations across Portland Public Schools. These meets are typically from 5-8pm and wrestlers get 2-3 matches each, depending on weight. All middle school students are aligned in a weight line then, under unified coaching guidance, are bracketed into groups of 3-4 wrestlers. Many Saturdays we will be attending NWJCWA tournaments (organized practices.) Typically, these are round-robin style 4-man to 6-man brackets and are highly recommended for all skill levels, especially first-year wrestlers. Because there are no medals or championship rounds, it makes them a great way to gain experience and have fun. These events have attract anywhere between 300-600 wrestlers from Oregon and Southwest Washington. Wrestlers are sorted in the following matter: 1) By Age Division 6U (Pee Wee) – Born 2014-2015 8U (Bantam) – Born 2012-2013 10U (Intermediate) – Born 2010-2011 12U (Novice) – Born 2008-2009 14U (Schoolboy) – Born 2006-2007 16U (Cadet) – Born 2004-2005 2) By Weight A bracket's weight range MUST be within 5lbs and anything over that MUST be cleared by a coach. Coaches are advised to check with parents/wrestlers whenever there is a bigger difference between wrestlers. Your wrestler is never required to wrestle in a tournament. 3) Experience Because our league events are organized practices we have a system to divide wrestlers by experience. These are determined by the coaches who often factor years of experience and match wins. White = Beginner (usually 1-2 years) Yellow = Intermediate (usually 2-4 years) Blue = Advanced (usually 4+ years) This way, a white card wrestler is never be in the same bracket as blue card wrestler. We will first split the bracket before considering a wrestler to wrestle someone with much more experience. |
Our Expectations
Individuals associated with our program are expected to be respectful and model sportsmanship. We require every member of our program to be respectful of opponents, coaches, officials, or league representatives during wrestling events. Foul language, intimidation, or unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated and can result in immediate removal from the event. We cannot stress enough how important it is to the success of our wrestlers to have positivity and encouragement modeled for them matside. We may not always be happy with outcomes or situations on the mat, but building resiliency is what makes great wrestlers!
Individuals associated with our program are expected to be respectful and model sportsmanship. We require every member of our program to be respectful of opponents, coaches, officials, or league representatives during wrestling events. Foul language, intimidation, or unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated and can result in immediate removal from the event. We cannot stress enough how important it is to the success of our wrestlers to have positivity and encouragement modeled for them matside. We may not always be happy with outcomes or situations on the mat, but building resiliency is what makes great wrestlers!