Parents Survival Guide

Your son has made an important commitment regarding his decision to join the Westlake Thunder Wrestling Team. The coaching staff is very pleased to have your son as a member of the program, and we have organized our efforts to promote his individual success. Wrestling is a very demanding sport. It will require much effort and dedication from your son. We admire and respect him already for making this type of commitment. We hope you will take some time to talk with your son about the seriousness of this commitment.

Our Season

The season officially begins in November and continues until the end of the Utah 4A State Tournament in mid February. We will practice each school day during our season. Practices on a normal school days will run from 2:45 p.m. to 5:00. Our competitions begin towards the end of November. We are currently working on a schedule. Wrestlers will need to take care of doctor, dentist or any other appointments or school make up, out side of practice time, if they wish to compete at the varsity level. Although sick athletes should stay home, injured wrestlers are expected to come to practice.

Booster Club

Westlake Wrestling will have its own Booster Club. The Booster Club is very important to the success of the wrestling program. A strong Booster Club will make each wrestlers experience one that he will remember for the rest of his life. There are many areas that a working Booster Club can be involved in; such as wrestler recognition, fun raising, dual meet and tournament involvement. One small example is to have someone sing the National Anthem at each home dual. This is a little thing but can add to the over all experience of the fans and wrestlers. Money is always an issue. With a good fund raising program we can have more than one traveling team, more than one assistant coach, travel to large out of state tournaments, at home duels we could have a wrestler who pins his opponent throw a wrestling shirt to the crowd which would encourage students to come to the matches (and encourage pins).

Forms and Fees
Westlake High School web site will have more information.

Coaches

Coach Guy Burdett has worked with State Championship Teams, State Champions and National Champions. He has been coaching for over 15 years. He has trained at the Olympic Training Center (Silver level Training Camp). He has been a High School Head Coach, a Club coach for High School and College teams and is currently the Head Coach for Westlake High School.

Coach Cody Burdett: 3x Region Champ, 2x 3rd in State, 1x State Champ, 4x Freestyle State Champ, 4x Greg-Roman State Champ, High School All-American Honorable Mention, 2002 Las Vegas Junior Western Regional Freestyle Champion, 2002 National Freestyle All-American, 2002 Reno WOW Champion, 2002 4th at the Beast of the East 2006-2007, Utah Valley University College Wrestler

Questions

1. What measures are taken to protect the health of the wrestlers?

Daily, we stress the use of proper and legal wrestling techniques and maneuvers. Coaches monitor closely their actions during all competitive and/or scrimmage wrestling situations so that any risk of an injury is lessened. Furthermore, the boys are expected to wear their headgear during the wrestling and drill sessions to prevent cauliflower ear and other abrasions on the ear or head. They are also encouraged to wear t-shirts during any drilling and/or wrestling activity instead of a heavy sweatshirt or jersey which could cause dehydration or fatigue to occur too quickly. For each practice a wrestler should wear clean shirt and shorts. Finally, we provide access to a trainer, ice, and medical kit as needed. If a serious injury does occur, the coaches contact the parent(s) as soon as possible.

2. Will a wrestler win more matches at a lower weight class?

Most wrestlers believe that by DROPPING WEIGHT, they can compete in a lower weight class where they will be stronger and win more matches. This belief is NOT TRUE; dropping weight, “by any means” can be harmful but dropping EXCESS FAT will make them bigger, faster and stronger. We want each wrestler to be as big and strong as they can be without the excess fat. Each wrestler reviews with the coaching staff his percentages of body fat, the number of pounds he wishes to lose, and the level of competition he would face at various weight classes. The coaches are very careful in monitoring each wrestler's weight loss but we need the support of the parents as well.

3. Will my son need to lose weight?

Your son may not have to lose any weight to wrestle at his weight class. His weight class selection, in fact, should be determined only after he discusses it with coach his parents and the coaching staff. The coaches reject weight loss methods that involve starvation, dehydration, laxatives, induced vomiting, or any other artificial means. These methods are considered illegal within the sport. What we hope to accomplish here is a favorable balance between ENERGY IN and ENERGY OUT. When losing weight, you can decrease your calorie count intake (ENERGY IN) or increase your physical activity (ENERGY OUT). The most effective approach is a combination of these methods. Your son should have a well-balanced diet and avoid any "fad" diets which deny him proper nutrition. Moderation is the key in regards to his eating habits, eliminate candy, pastries, junk foods, and snack between meals. Food portions can be lessened, and you may choose to provide food items high in carbohydrates (pastas, fruits, potatoes, breads) rather than foods high in fat content. If you believe your son's weight loss methods are wrong or excessive, please contact any coach immediately. If his grades in school suffer or his mood is irritable too often, again contact a coach.

4. How are varsity and junior varsity wrestlers chosen?

Unlike most other sports, positions on the wrestling team are not decided by the coaching staff, they are determined by the wrestlers. The goal is to have three competition teams. For the remaining wrestlers we will strive to find matches whenever we can. The teams are determined by challenge matches. Five challenge matches will be scheduled during the season. However, the coaching staff retains the right to name the varsity wrestler at each weight class as circumstances dictate-injury, discipline, and experience for each dual meet.

5. What does it take to have a great Wrestling Program?

I have discovered that great wrestling programs have a few things in common. The following three points are a good place to start:

1) Develop a strong wrestling culture in the school. There needs to be a strong relationship between football and wrestling. Wrestling must be "cool". We need to get the athletes to wrestle.
2) Develop a consistent wrestling program. Each program (Kids, Junior High, HS, and Club) should have program goals that progress the wrestler to the next level. I have seen examples of kids programs, for example, doing things that may help develop good "kid" wrestlers but may not help in developing great HS wrestlers. I don't care so much about “kids” national champions what I want are HS national champions and college wrestlers.
3) Develop a wrestling system. I understand there are many ways to complete any one move and all are right (to a point) if they score. By having a system in place practices are more efficient and wrestlers tend to learn more over time.

6. What can I do to help my son be successful?

To each wrestler success can means something different. Some may want to part of the team, some what to be national champions. As a parent who has coached his own son I found it a constant battle to remove my ego from my son’s successes and failures. I have seen many parents drive there kids away because they could not remove their own ego from the situation. Most wrestlers fail because they are afraid to lose. Parents need to create an emotional safety net so when the loss comes he knows he is still loved and respected regardless of the outcome of the match. Wrestling is not always a fun sport but it is very rewarding.
Thank You

The coaches certainly appreciate your support in encouraging your son to wrestle. He's taking on a big challenge, and we know that he could experience some difficulties during the season. But if we work together, your sons wrestling season can be very rewarding for him. We also look forward to seeing you at our matches. If you are interested in helping with our program or wish to order a team shirt talk to Coach Burdett 435-512-5988

Sincerely,
Coach Burdett