Tartan Wrestling Philosophy Mission Statement: The Tartan Wrestling Program believes there is more to life than athletics. It is our desire to develop not only great wrestlers, but great students and kids who demonstrate outstanding character. This program will measure its success not only in wins and losses, but also in our wrestlers’ abilities to have productive and successful lives. Wrestling Philosophy: Wrestling is a sport that requires more than talent. It takes physical and mental discipline as well as sound fundamentals. A Tartan wrestler should work relentlessly to maximize his potential in all of these areas. Although this staff teaches specific technical components of this sport, it is our belief that there is more than one way to wrestle. We work tirelessly to bring in an array of technique, giving each individual the best chance at personal success. There is however on area of wrestling that we believe is absolute. A Tartan wrestler must be a hard worker who strives to be in the best physical shape possible. We believe in the adage, “hard work beats talents, when talent doesn’t work hard.” Our expectations of our wrestlers are that they will out work their opponent each and every day. Our objective is to wear our opponent down so that we can physically break them. The third period should be our best, as our opponent fatigues and we are able to remain fundamentally sound due to superior conditioning. It is no accident when a Tartan wrestler wins a close match or a match in which they trailed. NEEDS AND VALUES OF WRESTLING The wrestling mat provides a constructive outlet for energies that are symptomatic of restless and uncertain teenagers. When a young wrestler faces an opponent, firsthand experience is gained in coping with stresses and pressures that are not unlike those confronting people throughout life. Wrestlers develop a strong work ethic, self-discipline, physical conditioning, and become driven to meet goals. Any student, regardless of size, has an opportunity to compete successfully as competition is based on age and weight, not size and height. We at Tartan believe the greatest advantage wrestling has, is the smallest athlete can compete at a varsity level and be successful. The sport of wrestling brings every muscle into play, as it develops stature, builds body tone, and increases cardiovascular efficiency and power. It helps the athlete to overcome awkwardness and develop poise and efficiency. Wrestling helps to develop positive personality characteristics and encourages the qualities that will develop a mature person. A wrestler participating naturally learns such things as courage, determination and initiative, he soon learns to be aggressive in a healthy way, acquires self-confidence and self-reliance; on the mat there is no one else to depend on but himself. They know that win or lose, the team and coaching staff is always behind them, as we are a team and we all stick together through thick and thin. Wrestling is one of the few sports in which a contestant is completely dependent on personal ability, when a wrestler steps forward and makes physical contact with an opponent. This demands courage as it is just them and their opponent. The greatest reward a wrestler can achieve is knowing that when the match is over, they did it on their own and gave it the best they had. Social competencies are also evident in the sport of wrestling. The athlete learns to respect the talent and abilities of teammates and opponents and to obey the rules of the sport. They learn to respect and accept the judgment of the officials. Even though alone, the athletes soon learn the importance of team unity and support of teammates; they share personal desires with others and do things for the good of the team. We, at Tartan Senior High, believe that the commitment a student/athlete makes to the sport of wrestling must also show in their school work. It has been the experience of the coaching staff, teachers and administration that grades go up during athletic seasons. The student’s commitment to wrestling and commitment in the classroom are not to conflict with each other. In fact, they should run hand in hand with one another. In order for a wrestler to be successful on the mat, they have to be successful in the classroom setting. It is an honor and a privilege to be a member of the Tartan Titan Wrestling team and not a right. The eyes of the parents, teacher, coaches, friends, relatives, fans, opponents and the Tartan community are upon you at all times. Be proud to be a Titan and honored to wear the team uniform. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS An athlete who represents our school in wrestling should carry themselves in a dignified manner. This includes being a gentleman, demonstrating responsibility as a student/athlete, and treating people with respect on and off the mat. He must be willing to abide by these rules that will encourage, good sportsmanship and a successful team. Among these are: 1.) Be a good student. Obviously, not all young men are “A” students, but all young men can strive to do the best he can in the classroom. Maximum effort and behavior is expected in the classroom. (see academic policy) 2.) Be on Time. This is important for orderly practice sessions, squad morale and well-organized road trips. Do not make the rest of the squad wait because you are late. 3.) Attendance is extremely important. An absence impacts more than the wrestler who is gone. It affects everyone in the room. If you have to miss a practice please be proactive about notifying coaches about the absence. 4.) Abide by training rules. These are liberal, sensible rules set up to safe guard your health and welfare during a time in which you need maximum physical and mental effort for success. 5.) Be a clean talker. Profanity is a sign of poor self-discipline and an inadequate vocabulary. It has no place on the wrestling mat, in the locker room, in the stands or the buses, or anywhere intelligent young men group together. 6.) Work hard. Hard work is the key to perfection. 7.) Be a gentleman. Treat members of the community with respect. Good behavior and a positive attitude are expectations that extend beyond the wrestling room. 8.) This program will not sacrifice its integrity for success. If an athlete is unable to meet the standards of this program they will be penalized or possibly removed from the team. DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TITAN WRESTLER 1.)DAILY PRACTICE DUTIES: Practice begins at 3:00 during the week and 10:00 am on weekends or vacation times. Wrestlers are expected to be at the entire practice. If you are late for practice, you will have a makeup. Coaches and all captains will run the make ups. 2.ATTIRE IN THE WRESTLING ROOM: All wrestlers will wear a shirt, shorts, wrestling shoes and socks. Wearing heavy clothing to lose weight is greatly discouraged. This is done to encourage proper practice techniques and promote a safe wrestling environment. Clothing that promotes drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is also not to be worn. 3.)WASH YOUR CLOTHES AND SHOWER AFTER PRACTICE You will wash your practice clothing and towels on a daily basis in order to promote a healthy, safe and clean environment in the wrestling room. This practice will cut down on spreading any skin condition throughout the team. Use and anti-bacterial soap and shampoo in the shower. 4.)WHEN ARE YOU EXCUSED FROM PRACTICE? If you are sick and not in school contact the head coach via phone or email. If you have an appointment, notify the head coach in advance. Try to schedule your appointments, such as dentist, family trips, etc. before or after the season. Participation in other extracurricular events also requires coach notification. 5.)THE TITAN CODE OF RESPONSIBILITY If a wrestler receives detention or any other punishment due to poor behavior the coaching staff will deal with them according to the attendance policy. If poor behavior becomes a consistent issue the wrestler will be removed from the team. TARTAN WRESTLING TEAM TRAINING RULES 1.) No Wrestler will be cut from the team unless grades, behavior or training violations require consequences to be taken. Wrestlers cut themselves. They are not cut by coaches, teachers and parents. 2.) You are expected to abstain from the use of all chemicals including alcohol, tobacco and other illegal drugs. All violations will be reported to the Tartan Athletic Director and be covered by the Minnesota State High School League rules and the Chemical Awareness Program Director at Tartan. 3.) Attendance Policy-You must be there to practice every day. If you are sick, you must contact a coach. This may be done in several ways. You can contact the head coach and leave a message on his answering machine (651) 702- 8761. You may also contact the head coach via email, [email protected]. Of course, you may also verbally communicate an absence to a coach prior to the absence. If a coach is not notified of the absence prior to it occurring it will be considered unexcused. Detentions and other disciplinary absences are also considered unexcused. Students who miss practices excused or otherwise will be asked to finish a makeup to replace the work out they missed (these are 15-20 minute work outs completed at the end of practice). If athletes have outstanding make-ups and have not been working towards completing them, they will be held from competition. 4.) Consequences for absences: Any wrestler who has an unexcused practice will not compete in the next event (regardless of the level of competition).