Invictus Wrestling

Invictus Shop
USA Wrestling

1. ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

Our Mission

To develop committed wrestlers through safe, inclusive, and high-quality training that builds technical skill, competitive confidence, physical toughness, personal discipline, and strong character on and off the mat.

Our Values

  • Respect: We treat coaches, teammates, opponents, officials, families, and facilities with courtesy and accountability
  • Discipline: We show up prepared, work hard, follow instructions, and commit to consistent improvement
  • Sportsmanship: We compete with toughness, win with humility, lose with accountability, and represent Invictus Wrestling positively
  • Safety: We prioritize proper technique, responsible supervision, injury communication, hygiene, and athlete well-being
  • Community: We build a team culture where athletes and families support one another, serve with pride, and contribute to something bigger than themselves

Who We Serve

We serve youth and young adult wrestlers who are ready to grow through structured training, committed coaching, and meaningful competition. Invictus Wrestling is designed for athletes who demonstrate coachability, consistent effort, strong attendance, and a desire to challenge themselves at local, regional, state, and national-level events as appropriate.

2. ATHLETE EXPECTATIONS

Athletes are expected to:

  • Arrive on time, prepared, and mentally ready for high-intensity training
  • Maintain consistent attendance and communicate absences in advance
  • Follow all coach instructions during practice, competition, warmups, and travel
  • Demonstrate discipline, effort, accountability, and respect at all times
  • Maintain strong sportsmanship toward teammates, opponents, officials, and families
  • Compete with toughness while prioritizing safety and proper technique
  • Report injuries, illness, skin concerns, or concussion symptoms immediately
  • Maintain proper hygiene, including clean gear, trimmed nails, showering after practice, and laundering practice clothing after every session
  • Represent Invictus Wrestling positively at all tournaments, duals, clinics, camps, and team events

3. PARENT/GUARDIAN EXPECTATIONS

Parents/Guardians are expected to:

  • Support consistent attendance at required practices, tournaments, weigh-ins, and team events
  • Ensure athletes arrive on time with required gear, hydration, nutrition, and tournament documents
  • Reinforce coach expectations, team rules, and positive conduct
  • Support the athlete’s long-term development rather than focusing only on wins and losses
  • Parents/guardians should refrain from coaching from the sidelines or providing match instruction to their child during matches/tournaments; all mat-side coaching and competition guidance should come from the Invictus coaching staff
  • Communicate concerns respectfully and at appropriate times outside active competition
  • Notify coaches promptly of injuries, illness, absences, weight-class concerns, or travel conflicts
  • Model sportsmanship toward officials, opponents, opposing families, tournament staff, and other teams

4. SAFETY POLICIES

Safety is our top priority at all Invictus Wrestling practices, competitions, travel events, and team activities. All athletes, parents/guardians, coaches, and volunteers are expected to follow established safety procedures, communicate concerns promptly, and help maintain a clean, supervised, and respectful environment.

Supervision

  • A two-adult rule will be followed for all youth practices, events, travel activities, and team-supervised settings whenever possible
  • One-on-one unsupervised interactions between an adult and athlete are not permitted; interactions should remain observable, interruptible, and appropriate
  • Parents/guardians should ensure athletes are signed in, picked up on time, and supervised until released to a coach or approved adult

Health & Hygiene

  • Athletes may not participate with fever, vomiting, contagious illness, untreated skin conditions, open wounds, or symptoms that could place themselves or others at risk
  • Wrestling mats and shared equipment will be cleaned before each session and as needed during practices or events
  • Athletes must bring their own water bottle, stay hydrated, avoid sharing drinks, and follow coach-directed hydration breaks
  • Athletes should maintain proper hygiene, including clean gear, trimmed nails, and laundering practice clothing after each session

Injury Protocol

  • Activity will stop immediately when an injury, concussion concern, unsafe condition, or medical issue is observed or reported
  • Basic first aid will be provided within the scope of available trained personnel and emergency services will be contacted when needed
  • Parents/guardians will be notified as soon as practical regarding injuries, illness, safety concerns, or participation restrictions
  • Concussion protocol will be enforced, including removal from activity and no same-day return when symptoms are suspected
  • An incident report may be completed for injuries, significant safety concerns, medical events, or situations requiring follow-up

Equipment

  • Wrestling shoes are required on the mats and should be reserved for mat use only
  • Jewelry, watches, hard accessories, and unsafe items must be removed before participation
  • Athletes must wear clean athletic clothing to each practice and bring required protective gear, including mouthguards when applicable

5. CONCUSSION & INJURY POLICY

Athlete safety is the priority in all practices, competitions, travel, and team activities. Coaches, parents/guardians, and athletes share responsibility for recognizing injury concerns, stopping activity when needed, and ensuring proper care before an athlete returns to participation.

If a concussion or serious injury is suspected:

  • The athlete will be removed from activity immediately and will not return until evaluated appropriately
  • There will be no same-day return to practice, competition, or physical activity when concussion symptoms are suspected
  • Written medical clearance may be required before the athlete resumes participation, especially after a concussion, significant injury, or activity restriction
  • Coaches may limit or stop participation at any time if an athlete appears unsafe, impaired, injured, or unable to continue

Parents/Guardians must inform coaches of:

  • Prior injuries, concussions, surgeries, activity restrictions, or ongoing recovery needs
  • Medical conditions that may affect safe participation, conditioning, hydration, endurance, or emergency response
  • Allergies, including food, medication, environmental, or insect-related allergies
  • Medications, emergency action plans, inhalers, EpiPens, or other health-related items the athlete may need during team activities
  • Any new injury, illness, skin concern, concussion symptom, or change in medical status that occurs during the season

6. COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES

Invictus Wrestling will use the Band Team App to share important updates, schedule changes, tournament details, reminders, and time-sensitive information.

To help maintain clear, respectful, and effective communication, Parents/Guardians are expected to:

  • Allow a 24-hour cooling-off period before discussing emotionally charged concerns, unless the matter involves immediate safety, health, or emergency needs
  • Contact coaches outside of active practice, competition, warmups, or mat-side coaching responsibilities whenever possible
  • Use respectful, solution-focused communication that supports athlete development, team culture, and positive problem solving
  • Allow coaches to provide all tournament and mat-side instruction; parents/guardians should not coach from the sidelines or give match direction to their child during competition

7. PRACTICE GUIDELINES

Practices are designed to develop technical skill, conditioning, discipline, confidence, and competitive readiness. To ensure a safe and productive training environment, athletes must arrive prepared, follow coach instructions, and respect the practice space at all times.

What to Bring

  • Wrestling shoes reserved for mat use only
  • Clean athletic clothing appropriate for wrestling practice
  • A labeled water bottle with enough water for the full practice
  • Headgear, if recommended by the coach or preferred by the athlete
  • Mouthguard, required for athletes with braces and recommended when appropriate
  • Any required medications, emergency items, or medical information previously communicated to coaches

Practice Rules

  • No food, gum, sports drinks, or open beverages on the wrestling mats
  • No jewelry, watches, hard hair accessories, or other items that could injure an athlete
  • Athletes must bring water, take hydration breaks as directed, and avoid sharing bottles
  • Athletes may not participate if they are sick, injured, have a contagious skin condition, or are experiencing symptoms that could affect safe participation
  • No horseplay, roughhousing, bullying, unsafe behavior, or unsportsmanlike conduct before, during, or after practice
  • No athlete may use the mats, equipment, or training area without coach supervision
  • Parents/guardians may observe from designated areas and should avoid interrupting instruction, entering the mat area, or coaching from the sidelines during practice

8. COMPETITION GUIDELINES

League matches and tournaments are an opportunity for athletes to test their training, build confidence, and represent Invictus Wrestling with effort, discipline, and sportsmanship. Match/Tournament participation is a privilege that requires preparation, accountability, and cooperation from athletes, parents/guardians, and coaches.

Coach Responsibilities

  • Determine tournament readiness, lineup participation, weight-class considerations, and appropriate competition level based on athlete development, safety, effort, attendance, and coachability
  • Prioritize athlete safety, sportsmanship, long-term development, and appropriate competitive growth over short-term results
  • Provide coaching support during designated matches when available, including warmup guidance, match strategy, mat-side instruction, and post-match feedback
  • Communicate tournament expectations, arrival times, weigh-in requirements, registration details, gear needs, and team procedures through approved communication channels
  • Make final decisions regarding match participation, scratches, injury removal, return-to-play readiness, and any adjustments needed to protect the athlete or team

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

  • Register athletes by posted deadlines, confirm event details, and pay tournament fees when required
  • Ensure athletes arrive on time for weigh-ins, warmups, team check-ins, and assigned mat or staging times
  • Provide appropriate food, hydration, recovery items, medications, required gear, and any tournament documentation needed for participation
  • Model positive sportsmanship and show respect toward officials, opponents, opposing families, tournament staff, host facilities, coaches, and teammates
  • Encourage effort, resilience, learning, and composure regardless of match outcome, bracket placement, referee calls, or opponent behavior
  • Allow coaches to manage match strategy, mat-side instruction, warmup direction, injury decisions, and post-match feedback; parents/guardians should not coach from the sidelines or give match direction during competition
  • Communicate concerns at appropriate times outside active competition and avoid approaching coaches during matches, warmups, or mat-side responsibilities unless there is an immediate safety concern

Athlete Responsibilities

  • Be on time for weigh-ins, warmups, matches, team meetings, and coach-directed check-ins
  • Wear required team gear when directed and maintain a clean, competition-ready appearance
  • Show respect to opponents, officials, coaches, teammates, parents/guardians, and tournament staff at all times
  • Shake hands before and after matches, accept referee decisions respectfully, and demonstrate strong sportsmanship regardless of the outcome
  • Follow coach instructions, remain with the team unless released by a coach or parent/guardian, and stay ready for assigned matches or team responsibilities
  • Win with humility, lose with accountability, compete with maximum effort, and use each match as an opportunity to learn and improve
  • Report injuries, illness, skin concerns, equipment issues, or unsafe conditions to a coach or parent/guardian immediately

9. FEES

Program Fees Cover

  • Facility rental, practice space, and access to approved training areas
  • Team equipment, mat maintenance, cleaning supplies, and training resources
  • Insurance, administrative costs, registration support, and required program operations
  • Coach event support, travel-related staffing needs, or team logistics when applicable
  • Operational expenses needed to maintain a safe, organized, and positive team environment

10. REQUIRED FORMS

Before an athlete may participate in Invictus Wrestling practices, competitions, travel, or off-site activities, parents/guardians must complete, sign, and submit all required forms and supporting documentation:

  • Completed athlete registration form, including current emergency contact information
  • Signed Parent/Guardian & Athlete Handbook acknowledgment confirming that all parties have reviewed and understand team expectations
  • Completed Participation Waiver & Release of Liability
  • Completed Travel, Tournament, and Off-Site Activity Liability Extension for team travel, competitions, and approved events away from the regular practice location
  • Current USA Wrestling athlete membership card submitted before participation in any required practice or tournament activity
  • Medical, allergy, medication, injury, concussion history, or activity restriction disclosures, as applicable
  • Updated contact or medical information must be provided promptly if changes occur during the season