Sanctioned: Registration through Web site
Non-Sanctioned: Mail-in Registration
SCPYWO Sanctioned Tournaments have several features in common: they are hosted by Member Programs, they permit bulk registrations by other Member Programs through the website, and they have uniform entry fees (for website registrations)
and spectator admission fees. Member programs may, for a variety of reasons, choose to host tournaments that do not meet the above criteria, and these Non-Sanctioned Elementary Tournaments are advertised separately in the Bulletin Board section of the
website. These events may include the finest of competitions; the "Non-Sanctioned" label means simply that another method of registration is used, and does not in any way carry a negative connotation.
Traditional: Large Brackets; Weight Classes
Traditional, or Open Tournaments utilize large brackets (often 16 or more) with age and weight class designations (e.g. all 9 and 10 year-olds, 80-85 lbs.). Wrestlers compete over one or more rounds, until they are eliminated, and trophies
are generally awarded for the top four place finishers. The number of entries may or may not be limited,
at the discretion of the host school, and the competitions often run until the mid or late afternoon.
Most of the Traditional Tournaments are intended for the most experienced wrestlers, although this format may also be used for intermediates to beginners (see below). Several local events have built strong reputations that attract top talent from a wide region.
Unless otherwise noted, Traditional Tournaments will also accept entries by mail from Member or non-Member Programs.
Classification: Small Brackets; Skill Levels
Classification Tournaments attempt to match wrestlers by their age, weight, and skill level in small brackets (usually four wrestlers). There are no "weight classes" or "weigh-ins;" the child's actual weight as posted by his Coach is used for the bracketing. In this format, each entrant wrestles two matches )a semi-final followed by a final or consolation), and then receives a medal for his first, second, third, or fourth place finish. Other bracket formats may be used for Classification Tournaments, ranging from 3-man round-robins to 8-man brackets, but each participant still earns an award. To allow completion of all bouts and the receipt of awards in a reasonable time (ideally two or three hours), the number of wrestlers will be limited on a first-come-first-served basis for all Classification Tournaments. Registration for these events will be accepted only from Member Programs through the Web site.
The three skill levels of competition are defined as:
- Level A: Most experienced; successful in Traditional Tournaments
- Level B: Intermediate
- Level C: Beginners or those who are early in their development as wrestlers
A wrestler will enter tournaments at a skill level determined by his Coach (hopefully in agreement with the child and his parents). His record within each skill level will be updated periodically by his Coach, and may move freely up or down each week to a level that is consistent with his progress. Recognizing that the ideal goal of perfectly matched bouts is not attainable, SCPYWO nevertheless less believes that this system provides a first approximation of "fairness", and that the skill level assignments by Coaches will improve as the season develops. Our experience has been that Coaches make a sincere effort to appropriately challenge their wrestlers, rather than arrange easy wins.
New Wrestlers and Tournaments Welcome
Parents wishing to have their children participate in SCPYWO events are asked to review the
Information for Parents sheet; the Registration and
Liability Wavier form must be printed, completed, signed, and given to the child's Coach, who will then
forward it to SCPYWO.
Member programs who wish to have an elementary tournament sanctioned by SCPYWO are asked to complete and sign the Tournament Information questionnaire, and the Member Agreement for Hosting Sanctioned Tournaments. |
