F.A.Q.
Subscribe to our NewsletterFAQ's about the Anderson Wrestling Program and High School Wrestling in Texas.
I've never wrestled before. Isn't it too late to start now?
No! Middle schools in Texas do not offer scholastic wrestling. Most wrestlers in Texas begin the sport in high school. During practice the coaches will teach you the techniques that you need to know in order to compete successfully.
Is there a wrestling period?
Yes, there is an 8th period class for boys and girls. No prerequisite is required, except a desire to wrestle. It's not necessary to be in the class to be on the team, but it is helpful.
When is the wrestling season? When are the practices?
Competition starts in early November and can last until the middle of February. There are usually 2 meets/events per week. Dual meets are after school on Wednesdays, and we participate in tournaments on Fridays and Saturdays. The U.I.L. season wraps up with the District, Region, and State tournaments, all in February. After school practices begin in October starting at 4:35 pm and ending at 6:00 pm. Football players and others in fall sports can join the team once their season ends. Basketball is really the only sport whose season directly conflicts with the wrestling season.
I’m not very big. Isn't that going to be a disadvantage?
No! Wrestling is one of the few sports where size doesn't matter. There are 14 different weight classes, ranging from 106 to 285. Wrestlers only compete against other wrestlers that are in the same weight class, and the team usually needs freshmen and sophomores to fill many of the lower weight classes. Because of that, wrestlers have an unusual opportunity to make the varsity squad as an underclassman. Often, they will be competing against other underclassmen from rival schools as well. Typically we have a few freshmen earn a varsity letter every year.
What are the weight classes?
Weight classes for boys are 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190, 215 and 285 pounds. Girls weight classes are 100, 107, 114, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 165, 185 and 235 pounds. On January 1st, 2 pounds are added to each weight class to allow for growth during the season.
Who is a good "prospect" for wrestling?
Almost anyone who has the desire to learn and the heart to compete. Wrestling is a test of strength, conditioning, and skill. You will learn the skills you need during practice, and wrestling itself is a great sport for improving both strength and conditioning. Some of the best wrestlers are tall and skinny, while others are short and compact.
How does a wrestler make the varsity team?
Only one wrestler competes for Anderson at each weight class. If a wrestler wants to wrestle on the varsity and there are other wrestlers at the same weight, then there will be "wrestle off" challenge matches to decide who gets the varsity spot. There's no politics, coach preferences, or favoritism. There are multiple opportunities to challenge for a varsity spot through out the season.
How do the competitions work? Is wrestling just an individual sport?
Wrestling is both an individual sport and a team sport. The team competes in both dual meets and tournaments. Dual meets are a competition between two schools, and team points are awarded based on the results of the individual matches. Tournaments usually involve anywhere from 8 to 32 schools, and once again team points are awarded based on individual placement in the tournament. During the season, Anderson usually has one or two competitions per week. The tournaments are always on Saturday, but dual meets are frequently held during the week in the evening.
How does the state tournament work? Does everyone get to go?
No. It is very difficult to qualify for the state tournament. The top 4 individuals in each weight class from each of the 4 districts within the region advance to the Region IV tournament. The top 4 individuals in each weight class from each of the four regional tournaments then advance to the state tournament. So there are only 16 individuals in each weight class who qualify for the state tournament out of the hundreds of Texas high schools that participate in wrestling.
Are there junior varsity competitions?
Yes, most of the varsity tournaments have a junior varsity division as well. Plus, there are JV only tournaments that Anderson JV wrestlers compete at.
Can I get a P.E. credit for participating in wrestling?
Yes.
Is Scholastic wrestling the same thing as Olympic wrestling?
Scholastic (high school) wrestling is very similar to Olympic Freestyle wrestling. The rules are a little different, but the fundamental skills are the same. All of the members of the U.S. Olympic team have a background in Scholastic wrestling. None of the amateur styles have any relationship whatsoever to Professional Wrestling, which is staged entertainment as opposed to an actual sport. You may also hear Scholastic wrestling referred to as Folkstyle or Collegiate-style.
Are there a lot of injuries in wrestling?
No. The rules are designed to protect the wrestlers from any technique that works against a joint and causes injury. However, wrestling is a tough and physically demanding sport. A quote from USA Wrestling Club Organizing Guide has the following to say about Risk of Injury: “Wrestling is a contact sport and injuries will occur. As would be expected, wrestling has more injuries than tennis and swimming, but most wrestling injuries are minor, consisting of sprains and strains. Wrestling has fewer serious injuries than football, soccer, basketball or ice hockey. There is a lesser chance of getting seriously hurt when wrestling than when riding in a car, skateboarding or riding a dirt bike.”
I have heard that wrestlers have to lose a lot weight in order to compete. Is that true?
No. A very small minority has abused weight limit rules in the past, but Scholastic wrestling has enacted aggressive policies in recent years to prevent excess weight "cutting" and rapid weight loss by dehydration in order to reach a lower weight class. A base-line body-fat measurement is taken for the wrestler at the beginning of the season while that wrestler is fully hydrated. A conservative and safe minimum weight is calculated based on 7% body-fat. No wrestler is allowed to compete below their established minimum weight class. In addition, weight is monitored during the season and nobody is allowed to lose more than 2 lbs. in a week. These two rules together have proved to be quite effective in preventing excessive dehydration and weight loss.
Can girls wrestle?
Yes. Texas is one of 5 states that sponsor girls' teams. Girls only compete only against other girls.
I play football. Is wrestling a good second sport for me?
Wrestling builds strength and conditioning, and teaches you how to beat the man across from you "one-on-one". It is a very good complement to football, and many NFL players have wrestled in high school and college. While you might expect many linemen to have wrestled, the list also includes Heisman trophy winners like Ricky Williams, Bo Jackson, and Archie Griffin. For more information on wrestling and football, click here:http://www.leaguelineup.com/miscinfo.asp?menuid=37&url=andersontrojanswrestling
What equipment do I need?
All you will need to buy is wrestling shoes. Mouth guards are recommended and required if you wear braces. Anderson provides the wrestling singlets (uniforms) and headgear you wear when you compete.
Who can I talk to about Anderson Wrestling?
If you have more questions, please contact Anderson Head Varsity Coach Patrick Timmons at patrick.timmons@austinisd.org
