North Penn Knights Boys Wrestling Handbook

NPHS Boys Wrestling Policies/Handbook

School Rules

- All School Rules Apply: athletic-academic eligibility, drug and alcohol policy, harassment etc. (see student handbook).
- If it is in the handbook it applies to this team and may have consequences that will affect athletic eligibility. These are administrative rules.
- If school rules are broken, the student-athlete will lose wrestling time and/or be removed from the team.

Sportsmanship

- All student-athletes and wrestling supporters are expected to maintain a positive attitude and display good sportsmanship at all times. Poor sportsmanship and attitudes detrimental to NP wrestling will not be tolerated.

- Any NP wrestler or manager that doesn’t show proper sportsmanship and attitude during practice, competition, travel, overnight stay, etc. will have consequences for their actions. This may include, but not limited to: throwing team equipment, vandalizing, unsportsmanlike behavior, cursing at teammates, coaches, managers, parents, or officials, displaying poor behavior. Possible consequences include suspension from competition, or removal from the team.

- The coaching staff will look at each case and determine the

consequences. Parents will be notified.
-Swearing/Cursing is not permitted. Any wrestler found swearing will be dealt with consequences via coach’s discretion.

Social Media

- Individuals should be aware of the effect their actions may have on their images as well as the image of North Penn HS athletics. The information individuals post or publish may be public information for a long time.
- Student-athletes and parents should be aware that the coaching staff, parents, fans and teachers may observe content and information made available by social media.

- Although not an exclusive list, some specific examples of prohibited social media conduct include posting commentary, content or images that are defamatory, pornographic, proprietary, harassing, libelous, or can create a hostile environment on the team or at the school.

- Consequences for breaking the policy will be determined by the coaching staff. Each infraction will be looked at case by case.

Wrestling Room

- Parents are not permitted in the wrestling room during practice.
- If a wrestler is not displaying proper behavior, is a distraction to the team, or is disrespectful to a coach/teammate in practice, he/she may be removed from practice.
- If a wrestler is removed from practice, depending on the situation, the coach has the right to not allow the wrestler to participate in the team’s upcoming event.
- If similar problems continue to occur (or a more serious problem occurs), other consequences will be given including possible suspension or dismissal from the team.

Dress Code

- For every wrestling Dual Meet, home or away, wrestlers are to wear a button-down shirt and tie, with khaki or casual dress pants, and shoes. No sneakers, caps or earrings are permitted.
- Hats will be taken off once we enter the venue and remain off until we leave the venue.

- Violations of dress code will be dealt with via coach’s discretion (which may include the athlete will be benched for a competition).
- If you want to wrestle for North Penn, show class.

Events & Travel
Wrestlers are expected to attend every match and tournament and be at weigh-ins on time. (missed matches/events are unexcused)
- Wrestler will stay for the duration of the matches and tournaments until it’s completion (unless coach’s permission is given prior to the event)
- During home dual meets, everyone must stay to clean up.
- Wrestlers do not yell instructions, but may yell support.
- Wrestlers must travel to away events with the team.
- All wrestlers and parents are expected to represent the school district and the wrestling program with class and integrity.
-Wrestlers will stay in proper North Penn HS wrestling uniform/apparel before and after matches.
- Wrestlers will not walk around, talk with friends, visit the concession stand, or talk/text on cell phones during the dual meet

- Wrestlers will wear NP wrestling uniform on awards stands
- The team will pick up our area of trash/debris before we leave any venue.
- In the event that a wrestler needs to leave with his/her parents, the coach should be notified by the wrestler’s parents in writing prior to doing so.
- A wrestler may not leave with another athlete's family, from an away event, without prior written permission & permission from the athletic director.
- Parents are not permitted to be around the team’s bench/seating area or warm-up area during wrestling meets.

Uniforms

- Wrestlers are responsible for their uniforms at all times, especially when the team is away for an event.
- A wrestler should never let his/her uniform out of their sight and will be responsible to pay for it if it is stolen.

Morning Practices/Conditioning

- Morning practice attendance is mandatory for wrestlers who wish to compete on varsity and for all other wrestlers wishing to participate in wrestle-offs.
- Any wrestler who doesn’t attend a scheduled in-season morning practice may remain on the team but may not wrestle-off for a varsity position.

- Morning conditioning is 2x/week and begins mid-January

Wrestle-Offs
The wrestler that wins the initial wrestle-off is considered the varsity wrestler for that weight class. Once competitions begin, a wrestler who has earned his varsity spot, has the opportunity to keep his spot pending his performance. If a wrestler has a winning percentage of .500 or better, he must be beaten twice by his teammate to lose his spot. If the wrestler is under .500 he only has to be beaten once.
- The coaching staff reserves the right to grant a wrestle-off in any situation that they see fit.
- The coaching staff may decide on a cut off date for varsity challenge matches. This date will be made aware of this date.







Match Decisions

- Just because a wrestler is varsity doesn’t mean that he will wrestle in every dual meet.
- The coaching staff has the ultimate decision as to who is wrestling in dual meets. No positions or weight classes are guaranteed as coaching strategies sometimes come into play.

- an athlete may weigh-in for a dual meet at 152 lb but wrestle at 160

lb in the dual meet(s)
- Attendance, behavior, work ethic, and wrestle-offs are all determining factors as to who wrestles in the line-up.

Weigh-ins

- Proper nutrition, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle are important components to success in athletic performance as well as lifetime wellness.
If a wrestler fails to make weight at the time of weigh-ins, he must make the weight before the event is over.

- If the event ends and the wrestler still has not made the weight, he will not participate in the team’s next competition. This is the coaches' discretion.
- Letting the coach know you won’t be able to make the weight a day or two before the event is unacceptable.

- Failing to make weight will result in consequences. The coaching staff will determine the consequences.
- If the athlete fails to make weight multiple times for the weight they committed to making, it may result in the loss of the privilege to compete for the remainder of the season.

- Coaches will closely monitor the weight of each athlete and will support in the decision process for the athlete choosing the appropriate weight class

Health, Injuries & Skin Infections

- There is a difference between being “hurt” and “injured.” In the event that a wrestler is injured he must see the trainer, and with trainer’s recommendation, sit out of practice.
- Without the trainer’s recommendation or a doctor’s note, no wrestler is to sit out of practice without the coach’s permission.

- We must do our part to keep skin infections to a minimum.
- athletes should report any signs of possible infection to the coaching staff immediately
- do not self-diagnose injuries or infections

- If you believe you are injured, sick, or have a skin infection check-in with the coaches and we will send you to the trainer.

- Individuals diagnosed with an active skin disorder will not be allowed to participate in practice activities until they are medically cleared (by a medical doctor) AND approved by a coach.
Individuals with skins infections must have a completed Medical Release Form before on-the-mat participation resumes.
- Unless you have a communicable disease you are expected to be at every practice.
- Athletes that cannot participate are always expected to attend practice, unless granted permission to miss by the coach.










Hygiene

- Every wrestler should shower immediately after practice using
antibacterial soap and use deodorant.

- All wrestling clothing and gear should be washed daily.

- Wrestlers will keep fingernails clipped
Practices
- Practices are mandatory.
- Athletes are expected to wear wrestling shoes and a head gear during practice. Mouth guards are encouraged.
- an athlete with braces is required to have a mouth guard for
competitions
- All athletes should have running shoes/sneakers available for every practice.
- If a wrestler misses a practice, he/she must have a valid reason.
- Regardless of the reason, the wrestler must make-up for the missed practice - Any wrestler missing 3 practices (unexcused) will be dismissed from the team.
Unexcused absences – coaches not notified ahead of time, detentions, appointments...
Excused absence – family emergency or other situation that was cleared by the coaches ahead of time.
- Coaches must be notified of an absence in advance (at least 5 hours prior) for it be considered excused
- There is no excuse for missing training.
- If an athlete must miss practice they must take the initiative to make up the training.
- Excused absences must be made up the same as unexcused absences.
- Failure to make up an excused absence will result in an unexcused absence

- An athlete may be ineligible for competition until all missed practices are made up. This decision will be determined by the coaching staff.
- Do not be late. Excessive tardiness will result in possible dismissal from the team or other consequences via coach’s discretion.

- Each athlete will check his weight before AND after practice and record the correct weight in the locker room.

***In order to accomplish the goals set by the team and the coaches, we need system to hold our athletes accountable. We also need parents to support our role in helping the members of this team learn accountability and responsibility. If athletes miss practice, competitions, or events for any reason, they are expected to make up that time.

Canceled Practices

- If in the event that practice is canceled, due to the weather, a TeamSnap notification will be sent out through the application and/or it will be posted on the team website.

Community Service (Youth Practices)

- Every wrestler on the team is expected to attend any community service event that the team has scheduled
- Every wrestler on the team is expected to attend at least one youth practice and help out (demonstrating, greeting, and coaching) for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Wrestlers will take turns attending the practices. Coaches will provide the schedule.

Team Night

- “Team Night” is a non-wrestling social team-building event
- Team Night is considered part of practice and all Team Night/Day events are mandatory.
- No wrestler is permitted to miss Team Night/Day without clearing it with the coaches prior to the event

Communication

- The NP Wrestling website contains information about various wrestling events and program standards.

- In the event that a practice is canceled, due to the weather, a TeamSnap notification will be sent out through the application, and/or it will be posted on the team website.
- An updated calendar will be available online under the calendar tab.

- Practice schedules are subject to change. Updates will be made periodically and, at times, with short notice.
-NP HS Wrestling has a Twitter page to meet the social networking needs of parents and athletes. This page contains information specific to the HS wrestling team. Follow us on Twitter:

- Text messages/Phone calls are an easy way to reach out to the coaching staff. Coaches will also send various updates to the athletes and parents (schedule changes, practice times...)
- Follow the team on Facebook for news, pictures, and other North Penn HS wrestling information at:

Academics & Eligibility

- Any member of the team that does not meet student-athlete academic requirements will not be permitted to participate in team events until he/she meets the school’s requirements.
- Student-athletes are expected to place value on education and prioritize academics above athletics.

- Any academic or disciplinary issues brought to us by a teacher or school administrator will be handled according to the coaches’ discretion. Possible consequences include being benched for a competition(s), and dismissal from the team

- Coaches reserve the right to hold athletes from practice or

competition when extra attention is needed in the classroom
- We will be in constant contact with teachers of any wrestler that is a concern academically.

Parent Concerns
If a parent has a concern for their student-athlete, for any reason, please contact Coach Swiggard
- If a parent would like to sit down and meet with us, we are available to meet in Athletic Director’s office with a scheduled appointment through email.

- Each situation is different and will be handled according to the coaches’ discretion.

Proper Method to Address a Concern:

Step 1: The athlete speaks with the coach(s).
Step 2: The parent asks for a conference with the coaching staff and the athlete.
Step 3: If the conference between the parent/athlete and coaches does not resolve the concern, there will be a meeting with the athletic director.

*this method of addressing a concern is created to help a student-athlete take responsibility for their lives and learn how to effectively communicate with authority in a respectful and professional manner.
Subjects that are NOT appropriate for parents to discuss with coaches:

- an individual's wrestling time

- team strategy

- the make-up of the team and decisions as to who participates in competitions

- other members of the team, other parents, and other coaches


Parent Expectations

- Be positive, respectful and supportive

- Communicate with your student-athletes

- Communicate with the coaching staff in an appropriate matter

- Make an appointment or email Coach Swiggard

- Parents are not permitted at practice or near team seating/bench area during matches

- Check team website for schedule, handouts, news and frequent updates

- Make the coaches aware of any concerning events/behavior outside of school that may impact/affect the athletes behavior, emotions, or athletic performance

- Support & encourage your wrestler, but also hold them accountable

- Ensure that your wrestler is getting adequate sleep and excellent nutrition




We would like to thank everyone in advance for being respectful, cooperative and supportive of your student-athlete, the team and the coaching staff. We look forward to a successful season.