Our first month of practice and training is nearly complete and all the wrestlers are working hard to hone their skills in preparation for tournament competition.
The web site Calendar provide details about each tournament - the who, where, when mostly. Each detail box includes a map of the tournament location to help you travel.
Here are a few tips to help make Sunday mornings a little easier.
1. Be sure you have an IKWF weigh-in card - the team should provide you with these prior to your first tournament. It has the wrestlers name, club name and IKWF competitor no. printed on it. These help tournament hosts keep competitors organized.
2. Be on time for weigh in. Many tournament hosts close weigh-ins at the predetermined time; if you arrive late they may not allow you to participate.
3. Look around the gymnasium and find the team. We always sit together - we are a family.
4. Pack some drinks and food for the day. Most tournaments provide concessions, and many hosts forbid coolers in the gym, but this rule goes largely un-enforced. HOWEVER, along those same lines, the Naperville Wrestling Club is a good guest! We keep our area clean and pick up any trash laying around before we leave for the day. Please do your part to maintain our reputation as a responsible club and tournament participant.
5. Bring books, games and other things to keep you occupied. There will be "down time" between matches. However, you are responsible for your own belongings. If you decide to bring an expensive piece of electronic equipment (mp3 player, video game player, etc) you must keep it in a safe place when you leave the area to warm up and wrestle.
6. Wrestle hard! Get out on the mat and compete. Work on the skills and techniques you learned in practice. This is a great way to improve. Win or lose - be a good sport!
7. Have Fun. Tournaments can be a lot of fun. Enjoy the day with teammates and family members.