PAOLA KIDS WRESTLING CLUB
WRESTLER & PARENT
RESOURCES.
Your guide to getting started, staying healthy, competing, and making the most of your wrestling season.
WELCOME TO PAOLA WRESTLING
Our goal is simple: help kids have fun while safely learning wrestling fundamentals and the habits that help them succeed. Wrestling rewards effort, determination, and a positive attitude. Every athlete can improve through hard work.
We expect wrestlers to come ready to learn, work hard, encourage one another, and enjoy the experience. Practice is where skills are built; tournaments give wrestlers the opportunity to put those skills to work.
Coaches strive to give every athlete attention. If your wrestler needs additional guidance or feels overlooked, please talk with us so we can help.
WHAT YOUR WRESTLER NEEDS
FOR PRACTICE
- Clean athletic shorts or sweatpants
- Clean T-shirt
- Wrestling shoes recommended
- No street shoes on the mat; barefoot or socks were permitted under the original handbook guidance
FOR TOURNAMENTS
- Competition singlet
- Wrestling shoes
- Headgear
- Shoelaces secured or taped before matches
Singlet note: The original handbook listed a $60 refundable singlet deposit. Confirm the current amount and return requirements with club leadership before paying.
Wrestling equipment is available from sporting-goods stores and wrestling specialty retailers. Club spirit-wear orders may also be offered during the season.
HYGIENE & SKIN SAFETY
Wrestling is a close-contact sport, so hygiene is essential. Skin conditions such as ringworm, impetigo, and staph infections (including MRSA) can spread between athletes.
- Shower as soon as practical after every practice or competition.
- Wear freshly washed practice clothes each time. Do not reuse sweaty clothing.
- Wash kneepads and clean wrestling shoes regularly.
- Clean and disinfect headgear according to its manufacturer's instructions.
- Tell a coach promptly if you notice a suspicious rash, sore, or skin condition.
TOURNAMENT GUIDE
Tournaments are an opportunity to test skills and gain experience, but participation is optional. Families choose whether, when, and where their wrestler competes. Events may offer Open, Novice, or other experience-based divisions, depending on the tournament.
REGISTRATION & FEES
Follow the registration process and deadline announced for each event. Entry fees vary by tournament and should be checked on the current event listing. The older handbook describes practice sign-ups and $15–$20 entry fees, but these should not be treated as current requirements.
EXPERIENCE RATINGS
Some tournaments use ratings to help create competitive brackets. The original club handbook describes:
Coaches determine a wrestler's appropriate experience rating when these categories are used. The host tournament's current bracketing rules take precedence.
AGE DIVISIONS, WEIGHTS & WEIGH-INS
The original packet lists 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U divisions, with age determined as of August 31. Age cutoffs, available weight classes, and weigh-in procedures can vary by sanctioning body and event. Always follow the current tournament registration and weigh-in instructions. Wrestlers must meet their registered weight under the event's rules.
ON TOURNAMENT DAY
Stay aware of your wrestler's upcoming matches and check in with a coach when they are a few bouts away. The club's goal is to have a coach mat-side for every match. If no coach is immediately available, alert the coaching staff.
PRACTICE & SCHEDULE
Practice is focused time for instruction, drilling, conditioning, and improvement. Please arrive early enough to be dressed and ready when practice begins.
Practice groups, days, and times change from season to season. The schedule printed in the older handbook is outdated, so use the club's current schedule rather than those historical times.
VIEW CURRENT PRACTICE SCHEDULE ↗Practices are generally held at Paola High School unless otherwise announced. School closures, weather, and school events may affect practices; watch club communications for updates.
CLUB EXPECTATIONS
WRESTLERS
- Arrive on time, dressed, and ready to work.
- Listen when coaches speak and follow instructions.
- Give your best effort and keep a positive attitude.
- Respect teammates, coaches, parents, and opponents.
- Take responsibility for your gear, nutrition, and hydration.
- Stay in designated practice areas; use hallways only as needed.
- Keep food, drinks, candy, and gum off the mats.
- Believe in your ability to improve, and have fun!
PARENTS & GUARDIANS
- Encourage your child and remember that athletes progress at different rates.
- Represent the club and community positively at practices and events.
- Allow coaches to coach during matches and raise officiating concerns.
- Bring concerns about the club or staff to leadership privately.
- Support skill practice at home when appropriate.
- Keep spectator noise and activity to a minimum during practices.
COACHES
- Lead with patience, positivity, and respect.
- Provide a safe learning environment.
- Do not tolerate bullying or dangerous horseplay.
- Help athletes grow their skills and enjoyment of wrestling.
OUR HOME TOURNAMENT NEEDS YOU
Hosting a tournament is an important club fundraiser and a team effort. Families are encouraged to help make it successful.
CONCESSIONS & FOOD
Donate items, work shifts, assist with serving, and help clean up.
TABLE WORKERS
Help with scoring and other assigned mat-side table duties.
HOSPITALITY
Help prepare, stock, and maintain the hospitality room.
SETUP & TEARDOWN
Help with mats, clocks, tables, chairs, and event cleanup.
Volunteer opportunities and shift details will be shared as tournament planning progresses.
FORMS & HELPFUL LINKS
- Club practice schedule ↗
- Membership and registration ↗
- Tournament information ↗
- Parent's guide to wrestling ↗
- USA Wrestling membership ↗
- USA Wrestling Kansas ↗
- Skin lesion evaluation form ↗
- Original team handbook ↗