Skip to content
Chelsea Wrestling ClubMat Dawgs

Parent resource center

New to wrestling?

Welcome! No experience is necessary, for wrestlers or parents. Here's everything your family needs to feel at home with the Mat Dawgs.

Your First Practice

What to wear, when to arrive and what actually happens in the practice room.

  • Arrive a few minutes early so your wrestler can meet the coaches.
  • Wear athletic shorts — ideally without pockets — and a t-shirt.
  • Wrestling shoes if you have them. If you don't, grippy socks like the ones sold at trampoline parks work well: they have the traction wrestling needs.
  • Athletic or street shoes are not allowed on the mat. They can injure another wrestler.
  • Bring a water bottle with your wrestler's name on it.
  • Practices don't follow a fixed formula. Coaches teach skills that carry: how to fall safely, how to move with balance and control, how to use your body well.
  • Much of it is useful well beyond wrestling. Knowing how to fall without getting hurt helps in every other sport your child plays.

Wrestling Gear

The short list of what your wrestler needs, and what can wait.

  • Wrestling shoes and headgear are the core equipment.
  • You do not have to buy it all before you start: the club may have shoes and headgear available for families who need help getting started.
  • A singlet is usually needed for tournaments, not practice.
  • Ask a coach before buying anything; used gear is often available.

Your First Tournament

How a youth tournament day flows, from check-in to the final whistle.

  • Tournaments usually start early; plan for a long day.
  • Wrestlers check in, weigh in, then are grouped by age and weight.
  • Pack snacks, water, a folding chair and something to pass the time.

Cascades tournaments

  • Shorts and a t-shirt are fine to wrestle in. There is no need to buy a singlet before your wrestler has tried a tournament.
  • For younger wrestlers especially, give it a couple of tournaments before deciding whether to buy shoes and a singlet at all.

How Wrestling Scoring Works

Takedowns, escapes, reversals and near falls, in plain English.

  • A pin (fall) ends the match immediately.
  • Points come from takedowns, escapes, reversals and near falls.
  • Penalty points can be awarded for stalling or illegal holds.
  • Exact point values depend on the rule set used at each event.

Weigh-Ins

Why wrestlers weigh in and how to make it stress-free.

  • Weigh-ins group wrestlers with kids of a similar size.
  • Youth wrestlers should never cut weight. Just eat and hydrate normally.
  • Check the event details for weigh-in times and clothing rules.

Cascades tournaments

  • Weigh-ins happen at Chelsea on the Wednesday before a tournament — not at the host school on the day. Your wrestler needs to be at that Wednesday practice to be weighed in.
  • On tournament day, plan to arrive 45 minutes to an hour before wrestling starts, so there is time to warm up.

What Parents Should Expect

Your role in the stands, at home and in supporting your wrestler.

  • Cheer for effort. Let coaches do the coaching.
  • Wins and losses both teach something. Celebrate the growth.
  • Watch the Team Hub for schedules, announcements and reminders.

Wrestling Etiquette

Sportsmanship traditions every wrestler and family should know.

  • Shake hands with your opponent and their coach, win or lose.
  • Respect the referee's calls, both on the mat and in the stands.
  • Stay off the mat unless you are competing or coaching.

The Cascades Circuit

The tournaments Chelsea goes to as a team, and what going means for your family.

  • The Cascades Youth Wrestling Circuit is Chelsea's recommended schedule for 2026–27. Every date is on our Tournaments page.
  • Sunday tournaments, hosted in turn by clubs around the area through November, December and January.
  • Optional, and Mat Dawgs only. Competing is an opportunity for development, not a requirement to be part of the team.

Before your first one

  • Weigh-ins are at Chelsea on the Wednesday before the tournament — see the Weigh-Ins section for what that means for your week.
  • Shorts and a t-shirt are fine. Nothing needs buying before your wrestler has tried a tournament.
See the tournament schedule

MYWAY / NUWAY

The other youth wrestling organizations, and the tournaments Chelsea does not organise around.

  • Many youth tournaments are run under a youth wrestling organization, and some require a current membership card for each wrestler.
  • MYWAY and other tournaments are not part of the club's schedule this season, but any family is welcome to enter them independently. You do not need the club's permission.
  • If you enter an outside event, follow that event's own membership and entry requirements — including its own weigh-in and clothing rules, which will not be ours.
  • Ask a coach if you are not sure whether an event suits your wrestler yet.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need wrestling experience?

No. Many of our wrestlers start with no experience at all. Coaches teach the fundamentals from day one.

Is wrestling safe for kids?

Youth wrestling is coached with safety first: age-appropriate technique, supervised practice and matches grouped by age and weight.

Does my wrestler have to compete in tournaments?

Tournaments are a great experience, but families can decide what fits. Coaches can help you choose good first events.

What does it cost?

One wrestler: $100.00 for a Young Dawg (Young 5s–1st grade), $250.00 for a Mat Dawg (2nd–5th grade). Families with two wrestlers pay one family total: $150.00 for two Young Dawgs, $300.00 for one of each, $400.00 for two Mat Dawgs. With three or more wrestlers the club confirms your family total before asking for payment. Borrowing club equipment is optional and is not part of these registration fees.

Can girls wrestle?

Absolutely. Wrestling is for every kid who wants to work hard and have fun.

Ready to give it a try?

The programs, grade ranges, practice times, season dates and fees are all on our registration page.

Join the Mat Dawgs