Frequently Asked Questions

The coaching staff understands that wrestling is a sport that many parents are not familiar with, so we have assembled a list of frequently asked questions that may offer information on subjects that you may be confused about.

During the wrestling season, these questions often arise …

What are the costs of joining Guardian Knight Wrestling club and competing with the team?

Costs can vary depending on if wrestler is participating and competing at a recreational level or Hi-Competition. Costs may include:

What is a Cadet and what is FILA?

You can find all the age and weight groups defined under the resources tab on the main menu of this website.  In 2012 Cadets are defined as wrestlers born in 1996 or 1997.  Cadets are usually freshmen or sophomores in high school, however older eighth graders may be Cadets.  FILA is confusing because it is not a pure acronym.  FILA is the name of the International Wrestling Federation.  International competition weights are given in Kilograms and the age limits are slightly different than USA wrestling.  The good news is that wrestlers are able to have more opportunities to compete by entering FILA events.

Will my son have to cut weight?

Ultimately, cutting weight is a decision that the coach and athlete should make together.  Cutting weight may not matter on the local level, but at the elite level of wrestling at which we compete most wrestlers cut weight.  Sometimes you will run into an elite wrestler who does not cut weight – but generally that wrestler’s skill level is above the competition field, so it does not matter.  For most of our kids, cutting weight is important so that we can compete at a weight with similar size kids.  The goal is to train hard and eat right to reduce body fat content.  We want our wrestlers to be the largest in their weight class with the highest muscle content.  We want them to be the healthiest competitors to reduce the risk of injury!

What is the best method for cutting weight?

The common mistake many young wrestlers make is that they eliminate their fluids too early.  Cutting weight is a process that should be started early by altering the diet to cut out all junk foods – this means no sugar, no simple starches, and definitely no fast food.  The week of competition wrestlers should be eating lean meat (chicken or fish) and lots of green vegetables.  Try to avoid heavy carbs.  Only cut the water out the day before competition.

What is the practice commitment for wrestling?

Recreational Wrestlers are encouraged to come to all scheduled practices, but it is not mandatory.  The more a wrestler attends practice / training sessions, the more mat time they will get, and the more they will improve.

For Hi – Competition wrestlers, the practice expectation in the wrestling program is rigorous.  Wrestlers are expected to be at every practice.  Missing practice is something that should be communicated with the coach prior to the absence. If your son plays another SCHOOL sport, we try not to conflict with them – however, our program’s success is built on a year round commitment to developing wrestlers.  The goal of our program is to continue to develop skills, wrestle as many matches as possible (40 min), and qualify for the USA Wrestling National Championship tournaments.

What is the competition schedule?

The wrestling season is March thru July (Nationals).  The team travels most every weekend to tournaments.  Many of these tournaments are two days, Friday and Saturday.  The tournament schedule begins March and will run through July.

Is my son expected to compete at all the tournaments?

No.  The more mat time a wrestler has, the more opportunities they will have to develop and improve skill.  It is not mandatory to compete at any of the tournaments especially at the recreational level.  However for wrestlers who want to compete at the Hi-Competition level, they will need to compete at selected tournaments in order to qualify larger tournaments including the Association, National, and Regional Duals.

What costs should a family plan for and how can the club help a minor raise the money required to compete nationally?

Wrestling can be an expensive sport, but we try hard to keep costs down during the season.  A USA wrestling card is required $40. Additionally, families need to supply the wrestling shoes, headgear, food and knee pads.  When we travel to overnight tournaments, the hotel, team meals, and transportation costs are divided among all who travel. 

Countless hours and fees have been donated, by those before you, to obtain legal 501c3 non-profit status from the Federal Government and the State of California.  Our vision is to leverage donations through e-scrip and direct donations to help young wrestlers fund their campaign.  Soon we will know how many people must sign up for e-scrip to cover the cost of attending the national tournament.  With your help, it is theoretically possible for a minor to cover most of their wrestling expenses.

What about family vacations during the season/ on holidays, etc?

We know that wrestling season coincides with the summer vacation, and this can often cause conflict with family vacations.  We do ask families try to limit the vacations taken during the season.  Missing practice time can be detrimental to the development of the wrestler.  We do not practice on major holidays.

When is the best time to plan vacation?

The first few weeks of June before we start training for nationals or August and after nationals.

What can I do to support my son during the season?

Come to tournaments, help, provide healthy foods at home, and cheer LOUD!  Wrestling is a sport that brings both heartache and joy, so your son will need lots of support to be successful.

How can I get involved to help support the program?

Sign up to work at our home tournaments (jobs include snack bar, scoring table, T-shirt sales, registration, weigh-ins, bull pen, announcer, etc….  Help drive wrestlers to away meets, join other parents in planning breakfast for the wrestlers at tournaments, plan a year end social event etc….  Most parents of our older kids are happy to include you in “the family.”

Does the team have a drug/drinking policy?

The code of conduct all athletes sign specifically details the drug and alcohol policy.  If caught with drugs or alcohol, you’re off the team.  The coaches counsel kids on an individual basis in private regarding choices they make.  We believe these things can be detrimental to the athletic performance of the wrestler.  We also believe it is the parents’ right and duty to provide expectations for this in their family.  The code of conduct is taken seriously.  In one case we cancelled club membership for one of our best wrestlers because they would not follow the code of conduct and the parents would not support a corrective action plan.

What is Fargo?

Fargo, ND, is the location of the USA Wrestling National Championship in Greco Roman and Freestyle.  To wrestle at this tournament you must qualify by placing in the top 3 at a state Freestyle or Greco tournament for your age group.  Most state placers at the CIF high school tournament, over the last ten years, have wrestled at Fargo.  Almost all collegiate wrestling programs send college recruiters to the National Championships in Fargo.

What is the expectation for my son?

Wrestle as much as possible (40 match’s min.), come to all practices, and lift hard. 

What tournaments and/or teams that are important/ is my son expected to compete at?  What are the costs of these?

Association Duals, $150 ~ Our wrestling club is affiliated with the Mount Diablo Wrestling Association, a chapter of California USA Wrestling.  The association will put together an All Star team which they will compete with against other state associations.  To make this team you must attend a try out/practice. 

Cadet or Junior National Duals, $1000 ~ This may be the best bang for your buck.  In the early spring you must send in an application to California USA Wrestling WITH A DEPOSIT, to apply to be on this team.  Team California will compete against other states in dual meet tournament format – therefore you get guaranteed matches. 

Regional‘s– $300 ~ This is an elite national level caliber tournament and is a qualifier for the nationals in Fargo.  All of our elite, serious wrestlers should attend this tournament.  Cost will include airline flight and hotel.

USA Wrestling National Championships, $1200-1400 ~ You must qualify to wrestle at Fargo by placing at one of the state tournaments in either Freestyle or Greco for your age group.  There is also an appeal process if you do not place top 3.  When you are selected for Team California, you will attend a training camp prior to leaving then wrestle at Fargo.  California USA Wrestling makes all travel arrangements, and provides coaching.  This is a prestigious tournament with the opportunity to be seen by college coaches.

The Guardian Knight Wresting Club is a non-profit charitable organization.  By donating money to the club, you are able to write that donation off on your taxes.  The club then takes your donation and pays for your son’s cost to camp, nationals, etc.

Should I send my son to a camp?  What is the benefit of camp?

If your son does not wrestle at one of the national tournaments, we recommend he attend camp.  The cost of this can be up to $500.  Talk to the coaching staff for recommendations on how to obtain the best value for your wrestler.