Looking for tips from wrestling moms!

[lpnmom08]

Hi everyone!

My son will be starting wrestling soon, and I am looking for some friendly advice from moms that have been around the wrestling block so to speak.  Thanks ladies.

[TTWWBB]

My son has been wrestling for over 10 years...collegiate and freestyle.

I'm not sure what kind of advice you're looking for...but here's a few things that have helped me.

Don't ever allow a coach to try and get your child to "cut weight"...at ANY age.  All cutting weight does is cut into the child's strength and dehydrates them.  I'm a nurse and I volunteer at tournaments as an athletic trainer.  Most of the kids I'm treating are not from injuries...but rather dehydration and low sugar levels.  When they get up to the high school level you'll see more of this out-dated practice.  There is no reason for it.

Be sure he showers immediately after practice, duals and tournaments.  I even go so far as to wash him down with hand sanitizer if we're at an all-day event.  For his shower, dandruff shampoo works wonders to prevent ringworm and other problems.

Invest in one of these headgears....

http://www.suplay.com/itemMatrix.asp?GroupCode=MORGANYOUTH&eq=&MatrixType=1

it's one of the few that we've found that doesn't pull or fall off.  It also protects the head a bit more. When they're little guys they tend to bash heads a bit.

A day at a tournament is a LONG day on those hard bleacher seats...I would be lost and my butt would be numb without my stadium chair.

If you're looking for some inspiration for your son, or a hero within wrestling Kyle Maynard is amazing. He was born without arms and legs...yet is still a champion wrestler.  My son keeps an autographed photo of him in his wrestling bag to keep himself going.  Here is a video of him....

[lpnmom08]

Thanks for the advice.  I had heard the stories about ring worm, and as a nurse also that was one of my concerns.  I like to go into things with a little knowledge of what is ahead.

[Morgain]

Quoting TTWWBB:

 I'm a nurse and I volunteer at tournaments as an athletic trainer. 

Just an FYI - That's illegal. You can volunteer as a Nurse if that is your cert, but you can not, by law, call yourself an Athletic Trainer. And you can not, by law, perform the duties specific to athletic training with out the certification and licence to do so. In most states any ways.

 

[Morgain]

As a Licenced, Certified Athletic Trainer I cover wrestling meets and tournaments. My state has some strict rules about cutting weight & they have growth allowances built in to the way they certify a wrestlers weight. I highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with your states athletic association's & league rules of the sport. That way you  can spot when a coach may not be leading you child down the right path so to speak.

A good preseason strength, conditioning and FLEXABILITY program in very important in the prevention of injuries. Wrestlers should NEVER workout in sauna suits or in extremely hot areas. This is a trick they use to cut weight while working out and is very dangerous. Kids should never be trying to cut weight. Ask your Doc what weight range your child should be in and let the coach know what you will allow in that respect.

Ringworm & MRSA are also concerns. In addition to showering after events and practices they MUST wash ALL gear and clothing daily to prevent both conditions!! I have my wrestlers wipe their head gear down with Envirocide or CaviCide daily as well. (Envirocide/CaviCide is a ready-to-use, intermediate-level surface disinfectant which is effective against TB, HBV, HCV, viruses (hydrophilic and lipophilic), bacteria (including MRSA and VRE) and fungi.) This also comes in wipes and they use it to wipe down between matches. I even go so far as to instruct the visiting teams to do the same.

Make sure the coaches are washing the mats daily. Don't be alarmed that they don't wash them at the end of practice/match. A lot of schools have to roll up the mats to put them away - if they washed them just before rolling they would stay wet an grow bacteria. But, do inquire as to if they are washing them before using them each day!! We use a product called "Mat Kleen".

Another product that can help keep skin conditions to a minimum is under armour. They can wear the leggings and long sleeve tops under their wrestling singlets (that I can "onesies" just to get them riled-up LOL). They might have specialized clothing specifically for wrestling, but I have never looked into them.

Invest in a bleacher cushion for those long tournament days - even consider one of those seats that clip onto the bleacher and have a back to them!! Your back and butt will thank you!! ;o) 

When you arrive at an all day tournament make sure there is a medical professional who is trained to deal with Trauma on duty - my state requires one of the following - Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), Nurse Practitioner, Physician or EMT. They do not recognize anyone else as being qualified for sideline coverage. (For example: we have had a lot of people such as Physical Therapists calling themselves Athletic Trainers. While they are great at treating Ortho injuries in the clinic and such they not prepared to eval, treat and clear a wrestler in a 2-3 minute time frame)  

PM me if you have specific questions if you'd like.... if I don't have the answer I can find someone who does!! ;o) And be aware that you will see your child twisted into shapes you didn't know were possible.... so try to relax! I have been covering this sport for 12 years now and I still cringe the whole time - and they are not my own kids!! Good luck Mom! 

 

[TTWWBB]

I am a licensed, certified athletic trainer, as well as an RN/NP...and actually was before I was even a nurse.  I was a trainer in high school, went into the Coast Guard where I was Health Services Tech, went to college where I obtained a bachelor of Sports Medicine (as well as my certification) and a year later my BSN.  My intent was to go into sports medicine...but it became a secondary and volunteer thing.  Which to be honest, makes it more enjoyable for me to take part in.

I'm actually the medical director of our school districts athletic training program, student education programs and operations (which would include athletic events held at our schools, such as wrestling).  This alone would require me to maintain my certification.

Quoting Morgain:

Quoting TTWWBB:

 I'm a nurse and I volunteer at tournaments as an athletic trainer. 

Just an FYI - That's illegal. You can volunteer as a Nurse if that is your cert, but you can not, by law, call yourself an Athletic Trainer. And you can not, by law, perform the duties specific to athletic training with out the certification and licence to do so. In most states any ways.

 

[Morgain]

EXCELLENT!!! I was going on your statement that you were a nurse working as an ATC.  As I am sure you are aware we have too many ppl calling themselves "trainers" without being qualified to do so. 

Quoting TTWWBB:

I am a licensed, certified athletic trainer, as well as an RN/NP...and actually was before I was even a nurse.  I was a trainer in high school, went into the Coast Guard where I was Health Services Tech, went to college where I obtained a bachelor of Sports Medicine (as well as my certification) and a year later my BSN.  My intent was to go into sports medicine...but it became a secondary and volunteer thing.  Which to be honest, makes it more enjoyable for me to take part in.

I'm actually the medical director of our school districts athletic training program, student education programs and operations (which would include athletic events held at our schools, such as wrestling).  This alone would require me to maintain my certification.

Quoting Morgain:

Quoting TTWWBB:

 I'm a nurse and I volunteer at tournaments as an athletic trainer. 

Just an FYI - That's illegal. You can volunteer as a Nurse if that is your cert, but you can not, by law, call yourself an Athletic Trainer. And you can not, by law, perform the duties specific to athletic training with out the certification and licence to do so. In most states any ways.

   

 

[HockeyMomAZ]

Get yourself a Bleacher Butt seat (bleacherbuttstore.com). It will really help during the hours of sitting through the matches!

[MamaWildCat]

• Hi!  I just happened to find this topic in this group and read your post.  It is so funny that you joke around with your "wrestlers" and call the singlet a "onsie" because I have done the exact same thing since our oldest son began wrestling in 6th grade - he is now 27 years old! 

  Years ago when he first began wrestling I called it that when he wrestled in one for the first time because I really didn't know what they were called.  Then I could never remember they were called singlets so I always said "your onsie".  At first he would just say "Hey Mom, it's called a singlet" then after the first season was almost over it was "MOM!  It's called A SINGLET - please!!"  It was so cute.

  Now to this day I will bring out the old "your onsie" comment every once in a while to get a smile out of him or depending on the day the old eye roll!  I have always said it to our youngest son who wrestles too and is now 18 years old and a senior in high school.  For his high school graduation I am going to buy a baby onsie and put something funny on it as a joke for his open house along with his wrestling items.  

  I loved reading all the information and I agree whole heartedly with all the other wrestling moms!  If you get a chance to read the WRESTLING MOMS GROUP and join there are some good stories and lots of good advice.

  
  

  MamaWildCat  "Maleea"
  

  
  

Quoting Morgain:

 

As a Licenced, Certified Athletic Trainer I cover wrestling meets and tournaments. My state has some strict rules about cutting weight & they have growth allowances built in to the way they certify a wrestlers weight. I highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with your states athletic association's & league rules of the sport. That way you  can spot when a coach may not be leading you child down the right path so to speak.

A good preseason strength, conditioning and FLEXABILITY program in very important in the prevention of injuries. Wrestlers should NEVER workout in sauna suits or in extremely hot areas. This is a trick they use to cut weight while working out and is very dangerous. Kids should never be trying to cut weight. Ask your Doc what weight range your child should be in and let the coach know what you will allow in that respect.

Ringworm & MRSA are also concerns. In addition to showering after events and practices they MUST wash ALL gear and clothing daily to prevent both conditions!! I have my wrestlers wipe their head gear down with Envirocide or CaviCide daily as well. (Envirocide/CaviCide is a ready-to-use, intermediate-level surface disinfectant which is effective against TB, HBV, HCV, viruses (hydrophilic and lipophilic), bacteria (including MRSA and VRE) and fungi.) This also comes in wipes and they use it to wipe down between matches. I even go so far as to instruct the visiting teams to do the same.

Make sure the coaches are washing the mats daily. Don't be alarmed that they don't wash them at the end of practice/match. A lot of schools have to roll up the mats to put them away - if they washed them just before rolling they would stay wet an grow bacteria. But, do inquire as to if they are washing them before using them each day!! We use a product called "Mat Kleen".

Another product that can help keep skin conditions to a minimum is under armour. They can wear the leggings and long sleeve tops under their wrestling singlets (that I can "onesies" just to get them riled-up LOL). They might have specialized clothing specifically for wrestling, but I have never looked into them.

Invest in a bleacher cushion for those long tournament days - even consider one of those seats that clip onto the bleacher and have a back to them!! Your back and butt will thank you!! ;o) 

When you arrive at an all day tournament make sure there is a medical professional who is trained to deal with Trauma on duty - my state requires one of the following - Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), Nurse Practitioner, Physician or EMT. They do not recognize anyone else as being qualified for sideline coverage. (For example: we have had a lot of people such as Physical Therapists calling themselves Athletic Trainers. While they are great at treating Ortho injuries in the clinic and such they not prepared to eval, treat and clear a wrestler in a 2-3 minute time frame)  

PM me if you have specific questions if you'd like.... if I don't have the answer I can find someone who does!! ;o) And be aware that you will see your child twisted into shapes you didn't know were possible.... so try to relax! I have been covering this sport for 12 years now and I still cringe the whole time - and they are not my own kids!! Good luck Mom! 

[Elizabeth4980]

He he - I was calling it a unitard and my husband just about crapped himself (he used to wrestle).  Frankly though, it looks just like what the guys in my ballet class wore LOL.

Quoting MamaWildCat:

• Hi!  I just happened to find this topic in this group and read your post.  It is so funny that you joke around with your "wrestlers" and call the singlet a "onsie" because I have done the exact same thing since our oldest son began wrestling in 6th grade - he is now 27 years old! 

  Years ago when he first began wrestling I called it that when he wrestled in one for the first time because I really didn't know what they were called.  Then I could never remember they were called singlets so I always said "your onsie".  At first he would just say "Hey Mom, it's called a singlet" then after the first season was almost over it was "MOM!  It's called A SINGLET - please!!"  It was so cute.

  Now to this day I will bring out the old "your onsie" comment every once in a while to get a smile out of him or depending on the day the old eye roll!  I have always said it to our youngest son who wrestles too and is now 18 years old and a senior in high school.  For his high school graduation I am going to buy a baby onsie and put something funny on it as a joke for his open house along with his wrestling items.  

  I loved reading all the information and I agree whole heartedly with all the other wrestling moms!  If you get a chance to read the WRESTLING MOMS GROUP and join there are some good stories and lots of good advice.

  
  

  MamaWildCat  "Maleea"
  

  
  

Quoting Morgain:

 

As a Licenced, Certified Athletic Trainer I cover wrestling meets and tournaments. My state has some strict rules about cutting weight & they have growth allowances built in to the way they certify a wrestlers weight. I highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with your states athletic association's & league rules of the sport. That way you  can spot when a coach may not be leading you child down the right path so to speak.

A good preseason strength, conditioning and FLEXABILITY program in very important in the prevention of injuries. Wrestlers should NEVER workout in sauna suits or in extremely hot areas. This is a trick they use to cut weight while working out and is very dangerous. Kids should never be trying to cut weight. Ask your Doc what weight range your child should be in and let the coach know what you will allow in that respect.

Ringworm & MRSA are also concerns. In addition to showering after events and practices they MUST wash ALL gear and clothing daily to prevent both conditions!! I have my wrestlers wipe their head gear down with Envirocide or CaviCide daily as well. (Envirocide/CaviCide is a ready-to-use, intermediate-level surface disinfectant which is effective against TB, HBV, HCV, viruses (hydrophilic and lipophilic), bacteria (including MRSA and VRE) and fungi.) This also comes in wipes and they use it to wipe down between matches. I even go so far as to instruct the visiting teams to do the same.

Make sure the coaches are washing the mats daily. Don't be alarmed that they don't wash them at the end of practice/match. A lot of schools have to roll up the mats to put them away - if they washed them just before rolling they would stay wet an grow bacteria. But, do inquire as to if they are washing them before using them each day!! We use a product called "Mat Kleen".

Another product that can help keep skin conditions to a minimum is under armour. They can wear the leggings and long sleeve tops under their wrestling singlets (that I can "onesies" just to get them riled-up LOL). They might have specialized clothing specifically for wrestling, but I have never looked into them.

Invest in a bleacher cushion for those long tournament days - even consider one of those seats that clip onto the bleacher and have a back to them!! Your back and butt will thank you!! ;o) 

When you arrive at an all day tournament make sure there is a medical professional who is trained to deal with Trauma on duty - my state requires one of the following - Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), Nurse Practitioner, Physician or EMT. They do not recognize anyone else as being qualified for sideline coverage. (For example: we have had a lot of people such as Physical Therapists calling themselves Athletic Trainers. While they are great at treating Ortho injuries in the clinic and such they not prepared to eval, treat and clear a wrestler in a 2-3 minute time frame)  

PM me if you have specific questions if you'd like.... if I don't have the answer I can find someone who does!! ;o) And be aware that you will see your child twisted into shapes you didn't know were possible.... so try to relax! I have been covering this sport for 12 years now and I still cringe the whole time - and they are not my own kids!! Good luck Mom! 

[Tracyrae]

been around the block and back...  :)  How did his first season go?