FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

USA Wrestling, the organization that regulates all wrestling in the United States, requires that all wrestlers purchase a USA Wrestling Card Membership before participating in any USA Wrestling sanctioned events.  This includes club practices, camps, clinics, etc. The membership is for the protection of everyone involved, providing secondary insurance to those with the membership.

To buy your USA Wrestling Membership Card, go to  https://www.usawmembership.com/.  The purchase price covers membership for one year; from September 1 through August 31.  You may purchase your membership at any time during the year, however, the membership benefits do not apply retroactively and expire at the end of August each year.  Your USA Wrestling Membership Card number will remain the same each year. 

Of Course!  Registration is ALWAYS OPEN.  Join us at anytime!  No practice commitments or expectations.  Come.  Learn.  Wrestle.  Repeat. 

Yes.  Attend up to two practices prior to payment.  A valid USAW card and the completion of our online registration forms are still required prior to attendance.  After attending the two initial practices, payment will be required before any further practices may be attended.  

COMPETITION.  If your high school aged child is planning to compete in tournaments during the club season, then sign up for RTC Elite. The coaching staff will be spending more time with these athletes as they help prepare and travel with the athletes to competitions.

• If your child just wants to attend the weekly practices, then sign up for RTC Club.

Wrestling as a whole is not an expensive sport because the equipment cost is low.  To practice, they only need comfortable workout clothes.  We have a limited selection of gently used wrestling shoes and headgear to choose from if you are a beginner.

• Club wrestling shoes may be used temporarily.

We have athletes of all ages, from Kindergarten to 12th grade, who started wrestling with our club.  If Kindergarten sounds too young, please note that we encourage them to learn the sport first.  At the younger ages, we do not expect them to start competing until they are having fun at practice, win or lose.  When it is felt they are ready to try a competition, the coaching staff will be there every step of the way.

Most definitely!  Girls wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports at the youth level! Over the last ten years girls participation in wrestling has increased dramatically. With girls divisions being created in international competitions and exclusive tournaments, it’s not uncommon to find girls participating at youth, high school, and collegiate programs.

• https://www.uswrestlingfoundation.org/grow-women-s-wrestling.html
• https://nwhof.org/news/high-school-girls-wrestling-continues-rapid-growth

Not at all.  Amateur wrestling has little in common with the professional wrestling seen on TV.  Professional wrestling is based on scripted theatrics, created for entertainment value and shock factor.  Amateur wrestling is based on skill, determination, drive, and attitude. 

No.  We have wrestlers of all shapes and sizes in each age group.  To be a successful wrestler, the size of the athlete does not matter.  Wrestling is for everyone!

Practices start with some light jogging followed by gymnastics and tumbling to warm up their bodies.  Wrestling is taught from an individual standpoint while they learn their stance, how to move, change levels, sprawl into the mat, and shoot, all before they even start working with a partner.  Once they do start working together it will become about facing each other, circling the same direction, mirroring each others movements and some shooting fundamental drills.  The wrestling progresses at a smooth pace as they learn while having fun!

No.  A singlet is still the standard uniform for wresting competitions, BUT the rules have changed and now two-piece uniforms are allowed for competition!  During practice, the wrestlers will wear comfortable workout gear.  During a competition, wrestlers may choose to wear a singlet or an approved two-piece uniform.

No.  There will be no expected weight cutting in our youth wrestling club.  Furthermore, state and national governing bodies, such as USA wrestling, now prohibit any form of rapid or unsafe weight loss.

Your child may return home from practice tired, maybe even very tired.  Wrestling is a physical sport, yet it is also extremely rewarding.  Each practice the coaches teach various technique, conduct drills and provide some mental preparation.   We understand that to be successful in life and on the mat, you must put in the time.  While winning is a fun and rewarding sport, the only place you will find success before work, is the dictionary.

Many times our most successful wrestlers had a difficult time in the early stages of the sport.  So being encouraging while helping the athletes find that inner drive to overcome challenges, will prepare them for an opportunity to learn in every situation.