What to Expect at Youth Tournaments

• Wrestling Shoes
• Singlet (if unavailable, a t-shirt and athletic shorts without pockets, zippers, or snaps are acceptable)
• Headgear (generally not required at youth tournaments, but it's recommended)
• Water Bottle and Snacks (most tournaments offer concessions, but it’s helpful to bring your own)

Depending up on the tournament, you may need to pre-register, or they may have on-site registration. Check The Guillotine open tournament calendar (https://theguillotine.com/open-tournament-calendar/) for tournament information.

Registration fees typically range from $15-$20 per wrestler, and there may be an additional spectator fee. If registration takes place in person, you’ll usually complete a form with your wrestler’s:

• Name
• Age/Grade
• Team
• Experience Level

This form is then brought to the weigh in area.

After registering, proceed to the designated weigh-in station (usually marked with signage). Wrestlers will:

• Undergo a skin check for common skin issues like ringworm or impetigo
• Undergo a fingernail inspection--Tip: keep a nail clipper in your wrestling bag
• Be weighed

Once weigh-ins are complete, wrestlers may warm up on the mats in the gym. Look for other Maple Grove families and teammates, as we typically gather and warm up together.

Depending upon the tournament, brakets will either be done on paper or through USABracketing. After weigh-ins, tournament organizers will create brackets. Most open tournaments group wrestlers by grade (or age) and weight, using 4-person, round-robin brackets. In this format, each wrestler competes against the other three in their bracket, totaling three matches.

Before wrestling begins, all wrestlers will be asked to clear the mats. If the tournament is run through USABracketing, brackets and mat assignments will be released through the USABracketing site, and you must get your wrestler to their assigned mat. If the tournament is run on paper brackets, tournament staff will begin calling wrestlers to the staging area, typically starting with the youngest divisions. When your wreslter’s group is called, they should report to the designated staging area, where they’ll be grouped with others in their bracket. One or two brackets are usually led to a mat together. Wrestlers must remain near their assigned mat until all matches are completed.

Depending on the tournament location, a Maple Grove coach may or may not be present. We'll do our best to communicate where coaches will be. Please keep in mind that with multiple Maple Grove wrestlers competing simultaneously, a coach may not be available for every match or may arrive after a match has started. We appreciate your understanding and support—good luck to all wrestlers!

After all matches in the bracket are complete, wrestlers will be escorted as a group to the awards table. Most open and MN/USA tournaments present awards for 1st through 4th place. Once your child receives their medal or trophy, you are free to leave.