What to Expect at Your First Youth Wrestling Tournament
A Guide for Families New to Wrestling
Welcome to your first wrestling tournament! These events can feel fast-paced and overwhelming at first, but knowing what to expect makes the day much more enjoyable.
This guide will help walk you through the basics.
Arrival & Check-In
- Arrive early. Doors often open 60–90 minutes before wrestling begins.
- Some tournaments require check-in or weigh-ins (your coach will tell you if needed).
- Once inside, find your team area and check in with your coach right away. We ask all parents and wrestlers to sit together to create a central spot kids/coaches/parents can always fall back too.
- Coaches will lead warm-ups starting 1 hour before official start time, this is very important to get wrestlers warmed up and prevent injuries.
Uniform & Appearance
Wrestling has specific uniform and hygiene rules to keep athletes safe and matches running smoothly.
What Your Wrestler Must Wear
- SYA Team singlet
- Wrestling shoes
- Headgear (sometimes optional but recommended by the coaches)
- SYA Wrestling t-shirt or hoodie (for before and between matches), if you do not have any SYA wrestling clothes ,any SYA gear is great. This helps coaches and parents spot and identify the kids in these very busy gyms. Parents too! Let’s show some Matdog Pride!
- Knee pad (optional and based on comfort)
- Mouth guard for wrestlers with braces.
Hair, Skin & Safety Rules
- No lotions or any other skin products can be applied to the body
- Long hair must be secured (hair tie, braid, or cap if required)
- Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed short
- No jewelry of any kind (necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches)
- No hard braces, casts, or sharp objects
- Any visible skin conditions must be covered and approved by officials
Final Check Before Matches
Before heading to the mat, make sure your wrestler:
- Has the correct uniform on
- Shoes are tied securely
- Hair is properly secured
- Has checked in with their coach
Role of the Coach
- Your child must have a certified coach in their corner for matches to begin.
- Coaches will:
- Warm them up before matches.
- Coach them during matches.
- Parents are not allowed on the mats. Only certified coaches.
- Parents and teammates are certainly allowed to cheer loudly for their wrestlers regardless of the outcome of a match.
How Matches Work
- Wrestlers are grouped by age and weight.
- Most kids will wrestle 2–4 matches during the day.
- Matches are short (usually 1–2 minute periods).
- Your wrestler may win some, lose some — this is normal and expected, especially for beginners.
Brackets & Mat Assignments
- Brackets and Mat assignments are posted in the Flow Sports mobile app. Please download and set up before.
- Listen carefully for mat numbers and names being called. Assignments can change for many different reasons.
- There are way more wrestlers than coaches, Parents need to help track their wrestlers mat assignments and have their children on deck ready to check in with the scoring table 2 matches prior to theirs.
- Bouts = Match
Timing & Downtime
- Tournaments involve a lot of waiting, followed by quick action.
- Eat. Your wrestler needs to be refueled after every match.
- Do Not let your wrestler run around playing games in the hallway, etc. They need to reserve this energy for their matches
- Watch their team mates matches and cheer them on!
- Look for their competitors matches and study their techniques
- Ask your wrestler questions while watching matches, ie “What would you do if you got in that position”.
- Stay flexible — schedules can change.
Winning, Losing & Learning
- Wrestling is tough — both physically and emotionally.
- It’s common for first-time wrestlers to lose matches.
- Success is measured by effort, courage, and improvement, not medals.
- Celebrate bravery for stepping on the mat — that’s a win itself.
Spectator Etiquette
- Cheer positively for all wrestlers.
- Respect referees, coaches, and officials.
- Avoid negative comments toward opponents or officials.
- Remember: kids feed off adult energy. The entire club can be penalized
Food & Facilities
- Many tournaments have concessions, but options vary.
- Bathrooms and seating can be crowded — plan accordingly.
- Sometimes mats, bathrooms, and concessions are all in different areas. Know where you need to be and when.
Best Foods Between Matches
These foods digest quickly and help restore energy:
Quick Carbohydrates (Primary Fuel)
- Banana
- Orange slices
- Applesauce pouches
- Grapes or berries
- Pretzels
- Plain crackers (Saltines, Ritz)
- Fig bars or granola bars (low sugar)
Light Protein (Small Amounts)
- Peanut butter on crackers
- Cheese sticks
- Yogurt tubes or pouches
- Turkey roll-ups (small portions)
Hydration
- Water (small, frequent sips)
- Electrolyte drinks (diluted, if possible)
- Avoid chugging large amounts at once
Foods to Avoid Between Matches
These can cause stomach discomfort or sluggishness:
- Greasy or fried foods (pizza, fries, burgers)
- Heavy sandwiches or big meals
- Candy and high-sugar snacks
- Soda or energy drinks
- New or unfamiliar foods
Food Timing Tips
- Eat small amounts after a match, not a full meal
- If another match is soon (under 30–45 minutes), keep it very light
- If there’s a long break (90+ minutes), a slightly larger snack is okay
Most Important Things to Remember
- Every wrestler is nervous — that’s okay.
- Everyone starts somewhere. Focus on the small wins! Did they get their first take down, escape a near pining situation, go all three rounds, etc.
- The first tournament is about experience, not results.
- Have fun, take photos, and enjoy watching your child try something hard.
