YOUTH WRESTLING PROGRAM

River Falls Wrestling has a wonderful program specifically designed for the experienced as well as the first-time wrestler from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.  Students from St. Bridget's, Montessori Academy, Heartland Montessori and home school programs are highly encouraged to participate.

Our youth director brings a wealth of knowledge and his primary purpose is to keep our program on track, keep it fun and help parents understand exactly what is happening, make them comfortable and keep them informed and engaged.

The coaches work on the mat with the kids on technique and skills but keeps things fun keeps things moving along.  Throughout the season, guest clinicians will provide some new perspective and insight to the kids.

We have a free clinic & registration session on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 10:30 AM until 12:00 PM.  We will conclude with pizza and pop for all.  Location TBD.

Students that also participate in ski & snowboard club, hockey, winter basketball or any other activity - are absolutely encouraged and allowed to overlap their schedules; just talk with the director.  We will not exclude any multi-activity students. 

Youth Wrestling Documents

Registration Checklist - Read First

2011 Youth Registration Form

Parent Responsibilities

 Youth Tournaments - What to Expect

 Map and Directions to Middle School

Staff :: Youth Director and Coaches

Dave Black oversees the youth program and is in charge of the coaches on the mat.  He is the primary contact for everything related about the program, the practices, the schedule, the purpose, events and overall direction.

Contact: 715.425.7946 | dave@riverfallswrestling.org

Tom "Butch" Cummings is in charge of on-mat coaching.  He is responsible as a clinician regarding technique, balance, movement and actual wrestling.  In addition to being a lot of fun, he is a USA Certified coach and clinician.

Contact: 517-449-8921 | butch@riverfallswrestling.org

Trent Larrieu works with Coach Butch to provide additional assistance and coaching on the mat.  He is a very high-level accomplished wrestler, USA Wrestling certified coach, USA Wrestling certified referee, clinician and an all-around good person.

Contact: 715.772.4698 | trent@riverfallswrestling.org

Location TBD; more details to come.  Last season we learned that while youth parents still need details on the program, clarification of expectations and help filling in the blanks, the youth group of wrestlers or potential wrestlers need their own time.  Many kids are hesitant to actually register because they just have no idea what to expect.  They usually have no concept, a misconception or a different idea of what the amateur wrestling sport can do for them as an individual.  This short clinic will help them understand and have a good taste of the sport prior to any commitment.  Even after this clinic in October, they will still have almost 3 months to attend three high school meets free, possibly attend and observe the Northern Badger Wrestling Classic and think about signing up before practices actually start on January 20, 2011.

Rather than having the youth group try to wade through our parent information meeting in November, we felt it was better to have a hand's on clinic and registration just for youth (Pre-K through 5th grade).  You will meet the coaching staff and youth director.  We will have handouts and all the information related to the season at hand.  This is not a drop off event.  As the kids are attending the clinic, the parents will spend time with the director, the wrestling board and other key individuals.

CAN'T MAKE IT?

If you cannot attend the clinic, there are four other ways to register. 

1. Mail registration form with check to Dave Black - 403 East Division Street, River Falls, WI 54022

2.  On-site at River Falls City Hall (Parks & Recreation department)

3.  On-site during youth night at River Falls High School (registration table will be set up)

4.  Same-day registration at Meyer Middle School multi-purpose room - ½ hour prior to practice on January 20, 2011

Nutrition, Diet, Weight and Health

Kevin Black has studied this topic extensively and put together a comprehensive easy-to-read guide for parents and wrestlers on this extremely important discussion.

Whether you are concerned with diet, what to pack for a lunch for a tournament, what to eat after a match, or ideas on new foods to try.  There are many misconceptions on food and diet when it comes to sports and especially wrestling.

Kevin has worked with local, regional, national and international wrestling programs and has a great breadth of knowledge on this topic.

Why Wrestle

By Dan Gable

The sport of wrestling is a very natural thing for kids to do at a young age. Kids are always wrestling around in the yard or on the carpet in the house. Organized wrestling can bring in an element of safety and has many other benefits as well.

Wrestling is a great sport because anybody can do it. Because you wrestle people of your same weight, size is not an issue as it may be in a sport like football or basketball. There are now many opportunities to get involved. All but maybe a couple of states have sanctioned high school state wrestling championships. California, Texas and Hawaii have both a boys and girls high school state wrestling championships. Over the past ten years, the number of girls involved in the sport of wrestling in this country has gone from 300 to 3,700 so it is a sport that is on the rise for young females.

One reason wrestling is beneficial to people at a young age is from a self-defense point of view. Kids need to protect themselves from bullies or someone who may jump them on the street. You may be asking, “What are the odds?” Well, pick up a newspaper. You see kids being kidnapped far too often. First kids need to be taught about who you can and cannot talk to and where they can be with whom, but it is also nice to have a little bit of a fight attitude from the point of view of protection. I have daughters and many people ask me if my daughters wrestle. I tell them I teach them just enough for protection purposes.

The sport of wrestling also helps young people develop important qualities such as self-esteem, sportsmanship, work ethic and leadership skills. It also helps by instilling a competitive edge. A competitive edge is a real key. You really learn how to compete in wrestling because it is a unique one on one sport. Team sports are great, do not get me wrong, but there are some unique aspects of wrestling that make it stand out. For one, in wrestling you compete at all times. You are playing the game the whole time you are out there. Matches may last six, 7, and up to 9 minutes, but for that short amount of time, you are competing. You do not have to wait for a ball to come to you. There are very few breaks and it takes focus and concentration every second you are out there.

There are feelings that take place when you compete. There can be the feeling of not being successful, which can teach you how to overcome adversity and there is the feeling of winning. It only takes winning once to know the feeling and you will want to strive for it again and again. It does not even have to be the feeling of winning an actual match. Sometimes you get a feeling of winning after completing a good hard practice because you pushed yourself and got through it.

 Dan Gable Biography 

Competition :: Some Common Sense is Required

Competing in youth tournaments is encouraged but strictly voluntary and is not a requirement of the program.  During the season, there are many area (open) tournaments.  The club will highlight and select one or two of these tournaments based on level of competition and location and provide coaching and assistance at these events.  The purpose of the selected tournaments is that a majority of the “team” can experience this event together. 

Parents - please do not feel compelled to force your wrestler to compete a lot at this critical level.  They will get plenty of competition as they develop and get older; too many kids have so many tournaments and competitions so that by the time they are in high school, they burnout and ultimately quit before they graduate.  Not all wrestlers are ready for competition and parents should speak to the youth director when in question of physical and mental readiness.  Please do not let your ego override the state of your kid. 

That being said, families that choose to participate in area tournaments are responsible for their own transportation and applicable fees.  The River Falls Wrestling Boosters / Toss & Turn will not pay the entry fee for the selected tournaments mentioned.  In addition, you may select additional tournaments at your own expense.  Details on what to expect at tournaments may be found in “Youth Tournaments - What to Expect”.  At all tournaments and events, every member of this organization (athlete, coach and board member) is expected to maintain a team attitude and adhere to the “Code of Conduct”.  It is incumbent on parents that wish for competition and tournaments - to get out and go to them on your own.

Area Tournament Opportunities

We support local area wrestling.  Check here for a listing of schools that have submitted their information and opportunities for competition at their hosted tournaments.  This is not a complete listing; only a listing of those groups that took the time to send us their particular flier and information.  A complete listing of are tournaments can be found on Guillotine and Wisconsin Wrestling Online.  Each site can be found on the links & media page.  Parents - try to carpool or go as a group.  This will create friendships and relationships that will solidify in later years and throughout your child's life.  In addition, it makes things fun for all.

Looking Up :: Free Admission

Get the date set on your calendar to come to the next home event.  Maybe invite your child’s best friend to come along.  Take pictures of your kids at the event.  Viewing the sport at this higher level is an excellent learning tool and provides valuable support for our high school athletes.  Public support of River Falls Wrestling helps us continue to bring opportunities to the youth.  We offer several ways to expose your young athlete to the sport of wrestling at various levels.  The River Falls Wrestling Boosters / Toss & Turn encourage you and your wrestler to support the middle and high school wrestling programs.

Who is free?  2010 wrestlers and all registrants for 2011 are free but parents and siblings do pay the nominal admission fees.

High School Home Dual Meets

Get there before 6:30 PM to watch the junior varsity matches.  The varsity matches start at 7:00 PM.

Matches are usually over around 9:00 PM.

Thursday, December 2 (Eau Claire North)

Thursday, December 16 (Hudson)

Thursday, January 13 (Menomonie)

Youth Night

Team Photo Night / Autograph Night

Youth Night Flier (Pending)

 Order Form.  Team photographs only.

RF Super Open Youth Tournament

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Every year we host a super tournament.  We should conclude mid-afternoon.  This is a Folkstyle event.  Pre-K up to and including 8th grade.  Throughout the season, this event will be a priority focus for entire-team participation.

We have adopted and implemented over 20 suggestions and ideas for improvement from the 2010 event.  All ideas are to improve the overall quality of every aspect of the tournament.

River Falls Youth Open Tournament Flier
 Youth Tournaments - What to Expect

Bus Trip :: All Youth Open Tournament

Date and Details are pending

The coaches and the entire team will travel together on school bus to this open youth tournament in Baldwin, Wisconsin.  This event is not mandatory; however, it is highly encouraged and will be a great day.  Pack a light lunch, something to drink and prepare for fun.  The coaching staff will be here to help, assist and coach the kids at this team-building event.  Parents can come on the bus or drive separately if they like.  Anyone riding on the bus must also return on bus - NO EXCEPTIONS.  Call Dave Black for any questions.

- This is a Pre-K through 6th grade event

- Bus Departure Time: 7:45 AM

- Bus Departure from south parking lot at Meyer Middle School

- Cost per each wrestler: $10.00

- Cost per each adult: $2.00

- Food is NOT included; it will be available for purchase at concessions or pack a lunch

Baldwin Tournament Flier (Pending)
 Youth Tournaments - What to Expect

Wisconsin Wrestling Federation

Kids Folkstyle Regional Tournament

Saturday, March 12, 2011

This fantastic tournament is a “qualifier” for the WWF Kids Folkstyle State tournament.  Two weeks after the regional tournament, the state tournament begins at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.  The top two place winners in each age and weight classes qualify for entry and participation in the state tournament.  All wrestlers born 1995 and after are encouraged to participate.  This is truly a taste for a higher level of competition and is a large tournament held right here in River Falls.  Youth wrestlers are encouraged to talk with the coach and director about this tournament. 

Coaching will be available but not guaranteed at this event.

 WWF Regional Tournament Form (2010)

 Youth Tournaments - What to Expect

 WWF Tournament Information Page

Imaging World

River Falls Wrestling Clothing & Fan Ware Apparel

111 East Walnut Street, River Falls, Wisconsin 54022

Get your official River Falls Wrestling Gear.  Stop in to talk with Liz about different styles, monograms and naming on any item.  Print out the form and bring it down to Imaging World or call 715.425.2864 for additional information.

 Order Form

 Imaging World