Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
Download the Parents Guide to Youth Wrestling
Why Wrestle?
Build strength & fitness: Wrestling develops total-body athleticism, balance, and endurance.
Learn discipline & resilience: Athletes learn hard work, goal-setting, and how to overcome challenges.
Gain lifelong friendships: Wrestlers build strong bonds through teamwork, respect, and shared experiences.
Create a foundation for all sports: Skills gained in wrestling - coordination, agility, mental toughness translate to success in every athletic pursuit.
Can girls wrestle?
Yes! Girls are welcome in all age groups and training rooms. Girls wrestling is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. LTHS has a thriving Girls Wrestling program at the high school level. We encourage girls to join, compete, and develop a love for the sport.
How do I find out about schedules/events?
By visiting our website under “Calendar” or in many cases via the Club sending out an e-mail message to advise you of Club news. Additionally, you are encouraged to contact juniorporters@gmail.com with questions.
Does my wrestler have to participate in any type of fundraising activity for the Club?
Yes, your wrestler will participate in the club’s only fundraising activity: Our tournament on 12/20/25. PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO VOLUNTEER TO WORK THE TOURNAMENT.
PRACTICE
When does the Club practice?
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays beginning on November 4th
White Room: 6:15-7:45 PM @ Central Campus | 1222 Jefferson Street Lockport, IL 60441
Newer wrestlers and those still building their foundation.
Expectations: Be open-minded to learning, give your best effort, and show respect to coaches and teammates.
Goals: Enjoy the sport, learn wrestling fundamentals, follow instruction, and practice good sportsmanship in both victory and defeat.
Maroon Room: 6-8 PM @ East Campus | 1333 E. 7th Street Lockport, IL 60441
Experienced wrestlers (typically 3+ years of wrestling including most athletes ages 10-14).
Expectations: Show up consistently, train with intensity & focus, and push yourself while helping teammates improve.
Goals: Strengthen your technical foundation, sharpen competitive skills, and prepare to succeed at higher levels of wrestling.
This split can be fluid throughout the year - coaches may move athletes based on growth, effort, and readiness.
Our goal is to ensure wrestlers develop skills, confidence, and a love for the sport in the environment that fits them best.
What should my wrestler bring/wear to practice?
T-shirt and shorts, wrestling shoes, headgear, and have a water bottle.
Why are practices CLOSED?
Practices are closed to spectators. There will be no exceptions; this applies to both siblings and adults. We find this to be a safer and more productive learning environment for the wrestlers. Any parent who wishes to assist in coaching practice is welcome to do so. Requirements to coach include a background check, SafeSport education, and a USAW membership. Prior wrestling experience is helpful, but not required (we can use your help!). The majority of our current coaches started with the Club in this capacity.
Does my wrestler have to diet or cut weight to make a certain weight class?
No. Wrestlers do not have to “make” a certain weight class. They simply weigh-in and are grouped with like-sized and aged wrestlers at each tournament. There are no specific weight classes in 90% of our tournaments. The exception to this is the State Series Tournaments (Regionals, Sectionals, State) at year end. Even with this tournament – “cutting weight” is not encouraged by the club. A sensible balanced diet throughout the season is encouraged, mainly cutting out unnecessary sweets and soda.
Hygiene
Hygiene is extremely important in wrestling.
Wrestling Shoes are not to be worn outdoors, and are to be put on the feet once the wrestler is in the practice room
Kneepads should be washed daily
Headgear should be wiped out with rubbing alcohol daily
Singlets should be washed and dried between tournaments.
Each wrestler should begin the practice with clean sanitary hands.
Following practice, all wrestlers should take a soapy shower or bath as soon as they arrive at home.
Special hygienic soaps such as: DEFENSE SOAP are recommended.
The wrestling mats are cleaned and sanitized daily
Sick or infected wrestlers will not be allowed to participate in practices. If you have any questions regarding the health of your wrestler…take the night-off, there will be plenty more practices during the season.
TOURNAMENTS
When does the Club participate in competitive events (tournaments)?
Generally, tournaments are held on every Sunday from the first week of December to early of March. There are occasional Saturday tournaments, too.
What should my wrestler bring/wear to competitive events (tournaments)?
Competition Singlet, Lockport Wrestling Warm-up Shirt, and shorts. Wrestlers also need wrestling shoes and headgear (required at all tournaments). Most wrestlers use the same shoes and headgear they use for practice. Some snacks, a hand held video game, books or small toys are often valuable for both wrestlers and their families during these somewhat lengthy events.
What can I expect at the tournaments?
Many tournaments, but not all, have split start times with some age groups only in the morning and others in the afternoon. In order to wrestle in the tournament the wrestler must first be weighed-in. In most cases the weigh-ins are held during our practice but in some cases they are the morning of the tournament. This process involves the official registration of the wrestler for that tournament, and a grouping of similar aged wrestlers by weight. Some tournaments attempt to group the wrestlers by experience level as well (in addition to age and weight).
Younger wrestlers will usually compete in 4-man groups, wrestling (2) matches per tournament, while older wrestlers may wrestle as many as (3) or (4) matches per tournament.
Your wrestler will be coached mat-side by one of our coaches during the match. Matches are not allowed to commence until each wrestler has a coach in their corner (maximum of 2 coaches per wrestler). Only holders of IKWF/USA Wrestling Cards AND a USAW Copper (or higher) certification are allowed to be mat side. Upon completion of the wrestler’s final match of the day, the awards for each group will be processed and distributed to the recipients.