What Moms Need To Know About Wrestling

What Moms Need To Know About Wrestling

Here are some tips to help you get through the season!

• Help the wrestler to eat sensibly. No fried foods, no snacking, and good things to drink to stay hydrated. No pop!
• Be supportive. Your son may be more irritable during the wrestling season. The practices are very hard, but your son will be in the best shape of his life during the season.
• Don’t panic. Wrestling is a physical contact sport. It is normal that your son will incur some aches and pains.  Minor injuries are normal too. Have your son talk with a trainer before going to a doctor. Usually the trainer can treat the injury, if not, the trainer will direct your son to seek further treatment.
• Provide a dinner for Friday meets. The wrestlers either set up the gym for a home meet or are on a bus to an away meet right after school. There is usually time after weigh-ins but before their match to eat dinner and they will be hungry.  Provide something to eat and drink for them before they leave for school Friday morning. Freeze sandwiches and drinks. They will thaw out in time for their dinner. Fruit (such as apples, bananas, grapes, oranges) stay fresh all day long.
• Help to provide healthy food choices for Saturday meets. The wrestler needs good food throughout their long day. Pack favorites for breakfast and lunch and lots of liquids. Freeze half a bottle of water or Gatorade then fill the rest with the liquid in the morning. It stays cold all day and keeps other foods in lunch box cool. Muffins and bagels work well, as well as fruit and cut vegetables.
• Have your wrestler bring a pillow, extra layers of clothing and homework to Saturday meets. The Saturday meets go on forever.
• Remind the wrestler to shower daily, especially after a meet. This will help to keep any transfer of germs or viruses down.
• Examine your son’s skin. The mats are disinfected every night. If you see any kind of rash forming, inform the coaching staff immediately. There are many articles on the diseases wrestlers can catch on the website at www.lakeparkwrestling.com in the “Links” section.
• Watch the website for photos of the Varsity and JV wrestlers as well as very useful information throughout the season.
• Check out the maps to the away meets on the website in the “Resources” section. 
• Make sure they have enough practice clothes to have a clean practice outfit every day. Wash them thoroughly when they are brought home. They cannot wear their gym clothes to practice.
• Encourage your son not to wear boxers under his singlet. He needs to be sleek during his match. There are many options available for undergarments.
• Provide a moisture absorber for his locker. His wrestling attire will be very sweaty and humidity can cause mold and mildew problems with his wrestling shoes, headgear, knee-pads, etc.  DAMPRID is a non-electric moisture absorber to prevent mildew and mold.  There are different styles that can be purchased at any hardware store.
• Volunteer in the concession stand as many times as you can. You will not miss your son wrestling. You are allowed to leave your “shift” to watch his match.
• Please help your son to stay on his eating regimen to maintain his qualified weight class during the holidays.  Wrestling season goes through two major eating holidays. Try to encourage good eating habits and stay away from snacking.
• Remember they are students first. They will be tired after practices. Provide a quiet environment so they can study and maintain their good grades during the season.
• Keep good care of uniforms and singlet. Please return them washed.

The wrestlers love parental support and encouragement. Come to all the meets, even if you can only stay for a little time!