PRACTICE SCHEDULE: A more complete calendar will be available at the beginning of the season. The following is the general practice schedule::

LEVEL 1: Grades K-2. Practice Wednesday nights from 6:00-7:15.

LEVEL 2: Grades 3-4. Practice Tuesday 6:00-7:30 and *Friday 6:30-8:00. *There will only be a Friday night practice on weeks where we do not schedule a dual meet. Likewise, on weeks when we schedule a dual meet early in the week, we will not have a Tuesday night practice. That said, most dual meets are expected on Thursdays and Fridays.

LEVEL 3: Grades 5-8. Practice Tuesday 6:00-8:00 and *Friday 6:30-8:15.*There will only be a Friday night practice on weeks where we do not schedule a dual meet. Likewise, on weeks when we schedule a dual meet early in the week, we will not have a Tuesday night practice. That said, most dual meets are expected on Thursdays and Fridays.. >>>>>scroll down>>>>

***NEW THIS SEASON*** DUAL MEETS!!! This season will be much much different from the past few seasons for Levels 2 and 3. This is because we will be incorporating dual meets into our schedule this year. The goal is to schedule a dual meet every week or almost every week. As a result, we will reduce our practice schedule accordingly. Although practices are necessary, dual meets are such fun and teach the kids that wrestling is a team sport. Furthermore, dual meets offer a rare chance for kids to be the only one out on the mat with ALL the coaches watching, coaching him (or her) through the match and to determine what each individual kid is doing right or wrong. For those of you who attended the Dracut dual meet last year, you know that it was a great experience and the kids loved it. This year, we intend to make dual meets a regular part of the schedule and to make a fairly big production our of our home meets - - with concessions, announcers etc. and one kid wrestling at a time on a full size mat. It will be fun.

***MAINE (or somewhere else) TRIP*** We will let everyone know the date much earlier this year, but we will definitely be planning another traveling tournament, possibly to the same tournament in Rockland, ME. Only this year, Coach Sands will have no involvement with the accommodations. Last minute as it was, the trip was a blast and this year we hope to bring even more kids.

JUMPING LEVELS. Occassionally, a wrestler is sent up to the next level either because of size or more likely due to experience and ability. If you believe that your child should jump to the next level, please discuss this with the head coach of the Level in which your child is registered. Jumping levels will only be allowed when the coaches of both levels agree the jump is appropriate. >>>>>scroll down>>>>

SCRIMMAGES: As in the past, we will have scrimmages on most Saturday mornings, usually from 8-10AM. Most are local (Chelmsford, Tyngsboro, North Andover). The scrimmage schedule will not be available until the season gets underway. Scrimmages are for everyone. Scrimmages are a great opportunity to get in some informal matches in a no-pressure environment. Scores are not kept at scrimmages. Although attendance is not mandatory, it is highly recommended that all wrestlers attend the scrimmages. >>>>>scroll down>>>>

TOURNAMENTS: Almost every Sunday, sometimes Saturday, there will be a tournament for any wrestlers interested in competing. REMEBER - except for the BIG RED TOURNAMENT, which is mandatory, attendance at all tournaments are optional. Often, we recommend that first year wrestlers do not attend many of the tournaments. However, after seeing a few of our first year wrestlers regularly attend tournaments and do pretty well last year, we have come to realize that it is not a one size fits all policy. >>>>>scroll down>>>>

UNIFORM POLICY. The official uniforms will be team shirts and shorts that are included with the registration fee. Uniforms are required for scrimmages. Uniforms and/or team singlets may be worn to tournaments. Wrestlers with non-team singlets who have not purchased a team singlet may wear alternative singlets to tournaments and scrimmages, however, with regard to tournaments in particular, should still wear their team shirts and shorts as their warm-ups.>>>>>scroll down>>>>

SINGLETS. Singlets will be available on a first come first serve basis. We expect to have more than enough to go around. >>>>>scroll down>>>>

SINGLET POLICY. A $35 deposit will be required with all singlets to ease with end of the year collection (the actual cost of each singlet is closer to $70). The first order will be made available on the following order of priority: 1) First offering is to returning wrestlers, including wrestlers who wrestled with our program or another town or club. Orders will be filled on a first come first serve basis. In the event of a tie, singlets will be offered to tournament wrestlers first. 2) After the first week of practice, singlets will be offered on a first come first serve basis with ties being decided on the basis of anticipated tournament participation.>>>>>scroll down>>>>

SNOW/CANCELLATION POLICY: In the event that there is a snow storm on a practice night, practice will be cancelled if all after school activities are cancelled at the High School. Additionally, you may call Jim Harrington at 978-649-9329 and listen for a message on the answering machine. We will post updates on the website when possible. With regard to cancellations for weekend/holiday events, we will post updates on the website and/or you may call for an update. If there is a question of a cancellation and there is no message posted, please call to confirm status, Please note that, on occasion, due to last minute inclement weather cancellations and/or technical difficulties, we are not always able to post cancellations on the website in time. When in doubt, please call for confirmation..>>>>>scroll down>>>>

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED WRESTLING ATTIRE: Suitable athletic attire is required for all practices and scrimmages. The best attire for practices or scrimmages is a t-shirt, shorts and wrestling shoes (some wrestlers may opt to wear wrestling singlets at scrimmages). Support jocks and/or spandex shorts (underneath gym shorts) are strongly recommended. Wrestling headgear is optional, but is recommended, particularly for those who regularly participate in tournament wrestling. Wrestling shoes will be required for all wrestlers after the first two weeks. No jewelry or clothing with zippers, rivets or similar potentially injury causing materials will be allowed. >>>>>scroll down>>>>

WRESTLING SHOES AND ACCESSORIES: Wrestling shoes are available at many sporting goods stores. It is advised to call first as not all stores carry them. Also, given that the shoes will not likely fit for more than one season, there is little need to buy expensive wrestling shoes. Please do not hesitate to consult with one of the coaches with any questions or advice with regard to purchasing wrestling shoes or any other accessories. >>>>>scroll down>>>>

SHOE SWAP. Any wrestlers who have outgrown their wrestling shoes from last year may turn their old shoes into the Shoe Swap. We will begin collecting shoes at the first round of sign-ups in October. Wrestlers who turn in shoes will be given first priority on receiving shoes from the Swap. By turning in a pair of shoes and providing the wrestler's current shoe size, the wrestler is given the first choice on the next pair of shoes turned into the Swap that match the size (or range) provided. The wrestler will have the option to accept the pair or pass without losing his priority position. Priority will be determined on a first come first serve basis.

RELAX, IT'S ONLY A YOUTH WRESTLING MATCH!!!

Please contact Jim Harrington, Program Director, with any questions or for more information at 978-649-9329 or by email at tyngsboroughwrestling@comcast.net.