WRESTLERS CODE OF CONDUCT & SPORTSMANSHIP CONTRACT

• I abide by the rules in the sport of wrestling. Part of good sportsmanship is knowing the rules and demonstrating them. It is the responsibility of the wrestler to learn not only how to wrestle but how to wrestle according to the rules which have been established and standardized to allow competitive matches to be wrestled in an orderly fashion. The more a wrestler knows the rules the more that wrestler can enjoy the sport.
• I try to avoid arguments. Part of good sportsmanship is anger management. Arguing with officials, coaches, or opponents is often simply a misguided effort at “letting off steam” in the heat of competition. A good sport knows that anger can get in the way of a good performance. A good sport knows how to walk away from an argument and to stay focused on the match at hand.
• I share in the responsibilities of the team. Good sportsmanship implies that the wrestler on a team is a team player. In other words, the wrestler understands that his/her behavior reflects on the team in general. Moreover, a team player does not condone unsportsmanlike conduct from teammates and reminds wrestlers that they all share in the responsibility of promoting good sportsmanship.
• I give everyone a chance to wrestle according to the rules. In youth wrestling the more talented wrestler will look out for and encourage the less talented wrestler on the team, cooperating with coaching plans to support, motivate, and encourage all wrestlers in practice drills and in competition.
• I always wrestle fair. Honesty and integrity should be an integral part of sports. A wrestler with good sportsmanship does not want a hollow victory, which comes as a result of cheating (“dirty” moves, ineligible wrestlers, performance enhancing drugs, etc)
• I follow the directions of the coach. A wrestler with good sportsmanship listens to and follows the directions of the coach, realizing that each wrestler’s decisions affect his/her individual match. If a wrestler has disagreements with the coach, the wrestler discusses the disagreements privately in a civil manner, away from the public eye.
• I respect the other wrestler’s effort. Whether the other wrestler wrestled better or whether they wrestled worse, the wrestler with good sportsmanship does not use the occasion to put the other wrestler down. In the field of competition respect for opponents is central to good sportsmanship. If an opponent out-performs a wrestler, that wrestler accepts it, learns from it, offers no excuses and moves on. If a wrestler out-performs an opponent, that wrestler enjoys the victory, but does not gloat, does not belittle, and does not minimize the opponent’s effort.
• I offer encouragement to teammates. A sign of good sportsmanship is a wrestler who praises teammates when they do well and who comforts and encourages them when they make mistakes. Criticizing teammates in the heat of the battle simply distracts from the focus of their individual match and gives the advantage to the opponent who develops a sense of confidence when seeing signs of weakness or a lack of self-confidence from the other wrestler in the midst of the competition.
• I accept the judgment calls of the wrestling officials. Part of human condition is making mistakes. Arguing with an official over a judgment call simply wastes energy. The wrestler with good sportsmanship knows that errors may be made, but the wrestler also knows that a match is made up of various techniques and calls from beginning to the end of the match, not just the call in dispute. The wrestler with good sportsmanship may be upset, but the wrestler also has learned to focus his/her energies back on the match and on doing the best he/she can do for the rest of the match. Allow the coach at hand to take care of the matter.
• I end the match smoothly. When the match is over, pouting, threatening, hitting the mat, throwing head gear, throwing ankle bracelets, running off the mat, not shaking hands with opponent, and cajoling have no place in the life of a wrestler with good sportsmanship, who emphasize the joy of participating, regardless of the outcome. They’re not devoid of emotions but they know that their efforts to end the competition smoothly, without antagonistic emotional display, will help ensure that matches will continue in the future.

I also agree that if I fail to abide by the sportsmanship checklist, aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:
o Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or head of league organization
o Written warning
o Practice / Tournament suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file by organizations involved
o Match forfeit through the official or coach
o Season suspension

I agree to all terms and regulations

Wrestlers Signature ______________________________________  Date ________________

PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT CONTRACT

Preamble

The essential elements of character building and ethics are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these “six pillars of character.”

As a parent or spectator:
• I will learn the rules of wrestling and the policies of the Eagles Program, Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation, and USA Wrestling.
• I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanship conduct with any official, coach, wrestler, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
• I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of the athletes.
• I will teach my child to wrestle by the rules and resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
• I will demand that my child treat other wrestlers, coaches, officials, and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or ability.
• I will teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a match or his/her performance in practice or competition.
• I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.
• I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for mistake or losing a competition.
• I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning.
• Strive to make every practice and competition event serve as a training ground for life and a basis for good mental and physical health.
• Emphasize that good athletes strive to be good students and that both are physically and mentally alert.
• I will promote the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
• I will respect the officials and their authority during matches and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the practice or event and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place. (arguing with the coach in public is detrimental to getting a successful resolution)
• I shall not criticize an official or coach unless I am ready to assume his duties.
• I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.
• I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during matches and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.
• Refrain from excessive “sideline coaching”. Do not leave the bleacher or seating area to shout instructions from the sidelines.
• Together with event officials, be jointly responsible for the conduct and the control of teams, fans, and spectators. Any fan who becomes a nuisance, out of control or aggressive will be asked to leave the event location. Remember, fan and wrestler reaction will usually be in step with your reaction.
• Remove any wrestler from the match when even slightly in doubt of his/her health, whether or not as a result of injury, until competent medical advice is available.
• Uphold all rules and regulations, national and local, regarding youth wrestling.
• Notify the coaches of any absences as soon as you become aware of them (by 4:30pm / practices; the night before by 8pm / events). Drill partners are complex; coaches need time to put together the plan. Last minute changes can be very difficult to accomplish.
• I shall remember that all coaches, officers, managers are volunteer workers.
• I shall offer my services for work whenever possible.
• Get involved. Stay involved. Staging a successful season is truly a cooperative effort. Board members and coaches are all unpaid volunteers. Any help you can volunteer is genuinely appreciated!
I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:
o Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or head of league organization
o Written warning
o Parental practice / event suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file by organizations involved
o Match forfeit through the official or coach
o Parental season suspension

I agree to all terms and regulations

Parent Signature ______________________________________  Date ________________