Wrestling

Little Panthers (Pre-K & K)

1 Practice Per Week 

USC High School Mat Room

This extremely popular program combines gymnastics, physical games, bodyweight exercises, and some wrestling technique basics.

With a focus on FUN, age-appropriate exercises and intro to wrestling fundamentals, this program is a huge hit with kids and parents alike!

Little Panthers is a 6 week program, offered in 2 sessions.  

- Early Winter begins early -November and ends at Winter / Holiday Break. 

- Winter begins in January and ends mid-February.

1st and 2nd Grade

2 Practices per Week

Fort Couch MS

Whether graduating from our Little Panthers program or trying wrestling for the first time, our 1st and 2nd Grade program focuses on instilling the basics techniques of wrestling, body control, and physical fitness.

Participants will have the opportunity to compete against both their USC peers as well as outside schools in age-appropriate competitions.

3rd – 6th Grade

2 Practices per Week

Fort Couch MS

The oldest cohort in our program seeks to build upon the fundamentals learned early on, advancing both our techniques and conditions to support their wrestling journey. This program is also open to new athletes interested in trying Wrestling.

Athletes compete in the South Hills Youth Wrestling League (SHYWL), as well as other local competitions. 

Wrestlers in the Open class should be striving to participation in one or both of the State tournaments, where we've had significantly increased participation and success in recent years.

Dual Team (K-6, Co-ed)

We are formally creating a Dual Team from the start of the season to participate in select Dual Meets throughout the season. Spots on this team will be determined by periodic wrestle-offs throughout the season. Details on this will be shared early in the season. 

What are these State Qualifiers?

There are two recognized Pennsylvania competition organizations that run parallel Regaional and State Championship 

How Long is the Wrestling Season?

Season length depends on the specific program. 

Little Panthers (pre-K & K) offered in 2x 8 week programs starting in early November and ending just before the Holiday break. The 2nd session starts in January and ends mid-February.

Our 1st - 2nd and 3rd - 6th Grade season generally begins early November each year, and ends for non-competing wrestlers in late February, and those participating in State qualifying tournaments finish in mid-late March.

What Equipment Do We Need?

For practice:

- Comfortable short sleeved shirt and shorts are highly recommended. Practices tend to be physitcally demanding, so bulky sweatshirts, sweatpants, and sports jerseys (football, hockey, etc.) are discouraged due to the material.

Please also remove all jewelry such as earrings and necklaces at home, for their own safety and also so they do not get broken or lost.

- Water bottle

- Wrestling shoes are encouraged but not required for practice. In the meantime, socks with grip pads such as those given at trampoline parks work great.  

For new participants, we have a small collection of donated shoes from past wrestlers if you'd like to see if a pair fits your child. Ask a coach at practice.

- Headgear is also encouraged during live wrestling in practice and for those competing, but not required. It is however required for the State qualifier tournaments.

For Competitions:

- A USC Singlet is included in the registration fee for all 1-6th grade participants, and will be provided towards the start of the season.  

If the provided last year still fits, feel free to continue with it as we're not changing the design this year!

- Wresting shoes are required for all tournaments, dual meets, and general competitions.

How are Competitions Organized?

At the youth level, most wrestlers compete in local tournaments hosted at a wide variety (and distance) of neighboring school districts against similar age and experienced opponents.

Parents sign up their wrestlers via a given tournament website link. You will sign up your child according to age, weight, and experience level. 

Age bracket: Typically in 2 year increments (i.e. Under 6, 7 & 8 year olds, 9 & 10 year olds, 11 & 12 years olds)

Weight Class: Typically in 5 lb increments, i.e. 50 lbs, 55 lbs, 60 lbs. 

- Weigh ins are typically offered both the night before or the morning of the tournament

- Some tournaments allow a 1 lb allowance above the specific weight class; check event rules

Class / Experience Level: 

• Novice: Wrestlers in their first 2 seasons competing in live matches with a referee

• Open: Wrestlers with 2 or more years experience competing in live wrestling matches / events

Some tournaments provide other age or experience level options, such as:

• First year Only - As it sounds, this is for those who are in their first season of wrestling in competitive matches. We highly encourage taking advantage of these!

• Odd Age: While most age brackets have an even-age as the oldest in the grouping, odd-age gives the 7, 9, 11, and 13 year olds a chance to be the oldest in their brackets

• Super Novice - Allows wrestlers within their first 3 years of wrestling experience, instead of the typical 2 for Novice, to participate in the same bracket.

We'll admit this can be a bit confusing, but we promise after a coulpe of tournaments, you'll be a grizzled veteran.

How does the Dual team work?

A dual match is the same type of format you see at the Varsity matches, where a line-up of wrestlers, 1 per weight class, take on another team's line-up. 

As a result of the growth in our program, we expect to be able to field a full and competitive team to participate in K-4 and K-6 Dual Meets. 

These events will help develop our more seasoned wrestlers for post-season and Jr. High competition.

Unlike the more typical tournaments, there are only a select number of spots available for the dual team. 

Starting and backup spots for this team will decided by periodic Wrestle Offs, which are live refereed matches between any wrestlers meeting the weight and grade criteria who wish to challenge for the starting spot. 

What are the Apps I Need?

TeamSnap is the coordination app we use for scheduling, communication, and competition planning. 

We continue to strive to minimize the amount of pings you get on TeamSnap so we don't get muted.  

Most of the tournaments we participate in use either FloSports or a website called TrackWrestling. In both cases, you can create a profile and sign up for text message updates about your wrestler, from mat assignments to match results.

Unfortunately, as of now, we are not expecting to participate in any WarZone matches this season.

What happens at a Wrestling Tournament?

Tournaments typically consist of multiple mats in one or multiple gyms in a neighboring school.  There are often (but not always) concessions and eating areas, bleachers, and so forth.

1.) Your child weighs in at the event site, either the night before or the day of at designated times listed on the website / flyer

2.) Arriving at the appropriate time block, which is generally either a morning start or an afternoon start, based on age or skill level.  

3.) Your wrestler generally should come with singlet on dressed to go. They will proceed to warm up with their team & coach on the mats.  If they weighed in the night before, there is no need to weigh in again.

4.) Via the appropriate App, your wrestler will be notified they are assigned to a mat and have a match coming up in 2-3 matches. Coaches also get these messages and we will meet your wrestler there.  

While it varies from tournament to tournament, parents generally can come mat-side, but parents should not interfere or shout over coaches during the match.

5.) After the match, win or lose, we'll offer some coaching and encouragement, and they can go back to you, get something to eat, and/or hang with their teammates.  

Tournaments typically span multiple hours, so bring (healthy) snacks from home if you don't want to risk the concession stand menu.

If / when eliminated from the tournament, they are welcome to go home after collecting any trophy or medal they may have qualified for if they placed.

Arrive early-ish, and sit together with other parents for a much better experience!

Basics of Wrestling: Positions & Scoring

Pennsylvania Youth Wrestling Website - A great website detailing upcoming local and PA-wide wrestling competitions!

Local Wrestling Clubs - We are fortunate to have multiple high quality wrestling clubs in the area for those who seek extra training and advanced coaching.  

• South Hills Wrestling Academy
• Indiodojo

Speak to the coaches if you wish to learn more about these programs.

How Wrestling Created the BEST NFL Players (YouTube video)

Forbes - Why Wrestlers Make The Best Employees (YouTube video)

The Chance to Wrestle - Girls Wrestling in PA (PBS Special)

• Trailer
• Full Documentary