Watchung Hills Wrestling Association

Wrestlers' Code of Conduct
Wrestling is a physically and mentally demanding sport. Like many other sports, it requires excellent physical conditioning. However, unlike most sports, wrestling involves one-on-one competition for several minutes, with no break in the action, no "play" to complete, and no one to pass the ball to. A wrestler must remain focused on their task for the entire duration of the match. In this way, wrestling shares similarities with martial arts, requiring long periods of instruction and practice to master techniques that become second nature to the athlete.

These aspects highlight two key principles of the sport: Focus and Discipline. The WHWA Board has established the following rules to emphasize the importance of discipline, both in practice and during matches.

1. General Rules:

• Horseplay (tripping, tackling, pushing, etc.) is prohibited at all times.

2. Practice:

• Unless otherwise specified, all team practices will be held at the Christopher Ingrassia Training Center – Home of the WHWA. Schedules will be arranged before the season begins and may change based on facility needs.
• Wrestlers must arrive a few minutes early to put on their wrestling shoes, ensuring practices start on time.
• Talking is not permitted during technique demonstrations or drills. The coaches must have the wrestlers' full attention to teach and correct mistakes effectively.
• Wrestlers are expected to attend all practices in their entirety. If a wrestler needs to miss practice for any reason, they should notify one of the coaches. Regular absences should be communicated in advance, and honest communication with the coaching staff helps avoid misunderstandings.
• Wrestling shoes are mandatory for practice and matches. They should be put on after entering the facility and removed before leaving for sanitary and safety reasons. Additionally, headgear is required during drilling and live wrestling.
• All wrestlers are responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Any equipment, clothing, or water bottles left in the wrestling room will be donated after 7 days to the lost-and-found.
• Parents or guardians are responsible for dropping off and picking up their children on time. They should be present at the conclusion of practice.
• Parents are not allowed in the wrestling room during practices to avoid distractions and because of the room's size.

3. Home Matches:

• Before Weigh-Ins: Wrestlers should arrive at the school 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the match. Once the wrestling area is set up and the visiting team(s) arrive, wrestlers will weigh in.
• After Weigh-Ins: Wrestlers will stay in a designated, supervised area. If they wish to eat after weigh-ins, they should bring their own food.
• Dress Code: Wrestlers will warm up together in their uniforms, including team warm-up shirts and shorts.
• Bench Conduct: During matches, wrestlers must remain seated with the team. After their match, and with the coach’s permission, they may visit parents or spectators for 5–10 minutes. Food is not allowed in the team area, though wrestlers are encouraged to bring a drink to replenish fluids after competing. Parents are not allowed on the bench or to sit with the team during matches.
• End of Match: After the final match, wrestlers will shake hands with the opposing team and attend a brief team meeting. Then, they will help clean the mats and arena and return chairs to their racks. Once this is completed, wrestlers will be dismissed and no longer under the coaching staff’s supervision.

4. Away Matches:

• Parents are responsible for transporting their children to and from away matches. Wrestlers should arrive at the away venue at the specified time. Be on time!
• Dress Code: Wrestlers should be in uniform when they arrive at the visiting location.
• At the Visiting Location: The team will gather in an area designated by the coaches. All rules for home matches apply, including dress, bench conduct, and post-match procedures.

5. Discipline:

Each wrestler is accountable for their behavior, and all wrestlers will be disciplined equally, regardless of their wrestling ability.

• Practice: Disruptive behavior or serious misbehavior will result in the wrestler being immediately removed from practice, and their parents will be contacted to pick them up.
• Matches: Wrestlers represent not only themselves but also their team and town. Any infractions during a match will be taken seriously. Coaches will not hesitate to remove a wrestler from the lineup for one or more matches if they show willful disrespect for the established rules and for their team. If a wrestler is removed from the lineup, they will be released to their parents immediately.

Parents' Code of Conduct
As a parent or spectator, you are an essential part of the wrestling community. Please adhere to the following:

1. I will not force my child to participate in wrestling.
2. I will remember that wrestling is for the youth, not for adults, and that children participate to have fun.
3. I will inform the coach of any physical condition that may affect my child’s safety or the safety of others.
4. I will learn the rules of wrestling and the policies of the Watchung Hills Wrestling Association (WHWA).
5. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all wrestlers, coaches, officials and spectators at every dual, tournament, practice or other sporting event.
6. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, wrestler, parent or spectator such as booing and taunting; verbal and physical threats; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
7. I will not encourage any behavior that may endanger the health or well-being of the athletes.
8. I will teach my child to follow the rules and resolve conflicts peacefully.
9. I (and my guests) will treat other wrestlers, coaches, officials, parents and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or ability.
10. I will emphasize effort over winning, so my child does not feel defeated by match outcomes.
11. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, making them feel like a winner every time.
12. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or others for making mistakes or losing.
13. I will focus on skill development and the benefits of practice over winning, and will avoid excessive competition in younger age groups.
14. I will prioritize my child’s emotional and physical well-being over any desire for them to win.
15. I will respect coaches and officials, refraining from questioning or confronting them during events. If necessary, I will speak with them at a mutually agreed time.
16. I will respect the coaches and officials during practices and will never disrupt practice or encourage unsafe/unhealthy training for any child, and will take time to speak with coaches before or after practice at an agreed upon time and place.
17. I will respect the practice environment and will not remove my child due to performance. I will inform coaches ahead of time if my child cannot attend or must leave early.
18. I will ensure a drug-, tobacco-, and alcohol-free environment for my child and will refrain from using these substances at events.
19. I will not coach my child or others during practices or meets unless I am an approved coach.
20. I will ensure my child wears the designated WHWA team singlet for competitions.

Parental Complaints: Complaints should be filed with the WHWA Board of Trustees, who will take immediate action.

All parents will be held accountable for their own behavior under the Watchung Hills Wrestling Associations code of conduct. All Parents will be disciplined equally and accordingly, without regard to their child’s wrestling ability. All disruptive infractions or other serious misbehavior will result in the following: 

·         First infraction, parents will be notified by the board of trustees with a disciplinary memorandum of the infraction and this could result in the Parent being suspended from attending practices or matches. The Parent will be notified to attend a special called meeting to discuss the complaint file with the board of trustees.

·         Second infraction, will result in the Parent and possibly the Wrestler being removal from the Watchung Hills Wrestling Association program or being placed on a 1 year suspension from the program based on the Watchung Hills Wrestling Associations board of trustees recommendations.

·         Failure to respect the Watchung Hills board of trustee’s recommendations will result in immediate termination from the Watchung Hills Wrestling Association program for both the parent and the Wrestler with a 2/3 vote.

·         The Watchung Hills Wrestling Association reserves the right to terminate (without registration refund) your child’s privilege to participate in our wrestling program based on the expectations of the code of conduct.

·         The Watchung Hills Wrestling Association also reserves the right to terminate (without registration refund) your affiliation with the club as a coach, parent helper or board member based on the expectations of the code of conduct.

Coaches' Code of Conduct
The purpose of the Watchung Hills Wrestling Association is to promote the sport of youth wrestling through instructional training of proper wrestling techniques and through a positive influence.  Our coaching staff conducts all training in an environment designed to promote a fun, yet informative, training experience.  Hard work, dedication, discipline and sportsmanship are promoted, and through positive reinforcement our coaches provide the best possible training for our young athletes. 

As we begin this wrestling season, please remember that the Watchung Hills Wrestling Association has high character expectations for all persons associated with the Club.  Every coach is not only a representative of this Club, but of our community.  Our actions are as important as our words, so please lead by example to show our children the true definition of "good sportsmanship".   

1. I will adhere to all rules and regulations set by USA Wrestling and the WHWA.
2. I will promote the WHWA and avoid actions that conflict with the club’s best interests.
3. I will maintain open communication with coaches, parents, and board members.
4. I will demonstrate respect in both victory and defeat.
5. I will provide constructive feedback and coaching, without criticizing wrestlers.
6. I will respect officials' decisions and engage with them within the rules, without berating or yelling.
7. I will not criticize the opposing team, wrestlers, coaches, or fans.
8. I will stress the importance of academics and physical alertness in athletes.
9. I will prioritize the emotional and physical safety of my team.
10. I will strive to make every wrestling activity a life lesson and contribute to the athletes’ overall health.
11. I will not incite unsportsmanlike behavior and will be responsible for the conduct of team fans.
12. I will always remember that wrestling is for youth, not adults.
13. I will refrain from using profanity during any wrestling events.
14. I will assist in coaching all wrestlers, regardless of their experience level, at team tournaments.
15. I will not show favoritism and will coach according to the Head Coach's direction, including when coaching my own child.
16. I will recognize personal issues that could affect my effectiveness and will refrain from coaching if necessary.
17. I will immediately inform the WHWA Board of any issues that could impact my background check, including legal matters including, but not limited to, being arrested, receiving drug related ticket, domestic abuse involvement, etc
18. I accept the right of the WHWA Board to expel or suspend coaches based on violations of this Code of Conduct.
19. I will maintain current certifications, including a valid USA Wrestling coaching card, CPR certification, and Rutgers NJ Coaching certification.

Consequences for Violating the Coaches' Code of Conduct
All violations of the Coaches Code of Conduct will be reviewed by the WHWA coaches committee and presented to the board of trustees. The violation is to be reviewed by a majority of the Board within one week of the incident to determine any and all consequences.  Consequences may include verbal warning, practice and/or tournament suspensions; removal as coach.  Consequence decisions made by the Watchung Hills Wrestling Association Board are final. 

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