USA Wrestling

USA Wrestling Membership

USA Wrestling (USAW) is the national governing body for amateur wrestling in the United States. Among other benefits, USAW membership provides athlete insurance coverage.

A current USAW athlete membership is required for:

• Youth athletes (grades 2–8): all club practices and competitions

• High school athletes (grades 9–12): off-season club practices and off-season competitions
  
  

Note: Membership is only required for off-season club practices, off-season competitions, and youth practices/competitions. It is not required for regular DPHS practices (fall/winter) or team lifting sessions.

High School Athletes (Grades 9–12) 

The Booster Club purchases a team membership through USA Wrestling, covering eligible DPHS high school wrestlers under one fixed fee. This allows us to add athletes throughout the year at no additional cost (a $70 value)

Most high school athletes do not need to purchase their own USA Wrestling card. Only the youngest freshmen may need to purchase an individual membership based on USA Wrestling age requirements.

The sign up forms below will guide you through the process and indicate whether any additional steps are needed.

How to Get Started

• Year-Round / Competitive Path: Interested in joining the club team or competing in the off-season? Complete the Club Team Sign-Up. This is strongly recommended for those looking to improve quickly!

• Fall Season / Newcomers: Just want to try out DPHS Wrestling this fall? Complete the DPHS Wrestling sign-up form. You can always add the club team later.

• Compliance: If required, complete and submit SafeSport Certification (see below).

SafeSport Certification

All seniors turning 17 by August 31 in the preseason are required to complete USA Wrestling SafeSport training before competing in preseason tournaments. SafeSport promotes a safe and respectful environment and is designed to prevent abuse, misconduct, bullying, and harassment.

Learn how to complete SafeSport training here. 

Youth Athletes (Grades 2–8)

Youth wrestlers must purchase their own USA Wrestling membership directly through USA Wrestling. 

Please complete the Club Sign-Up Form The form will walk you step-by-step through the process of purchasing a USA Wrestling membership.

Because USA Wrestling requires a parent or guardian to complete the registration, the Booster Club is not able to purchase youth memberships on your behalf.

Off-Season Tournaments

Interested in testing your skills outside of school season competitions? Check out our Off-Season Tournaments page for schedules, locations, and registration details. Participation is optional but strongly recommended for wrestlers looking to gain experience and improve their performance.

What's Next?

Introduction to Wrestling

Your guide to joining the team, team culture, health, competitions, and getting involved. Each section links to a dedicated page covering key topics: 

• 1a. Welcome to DPHS Wrestling - Everything you need to know for the high school team, including how to join, required gear, team policies, and schedules.

• 1b. Welcome to Lab Wrestling - Your guide to the club wrestling program, including how to join, required gear, team policies, and schedules.

• 2. Weight & Health – Focuses on weight classes, weight certification, weight allowance, nutrition, hygiene, and keeping athletes safe. 

• 3. Rules of Wrestling – An overview of the basic objective and rules.

• 4. Preseason – Covers the period from mid-August to early November, including practices, optional club sessions, preseason tournaments, and preparation for the season.

• 5. Competition Overview – Explains the different types of wrestling events, including off-season tournaments, in-season tournaments, and dual meets, with guidance on what to expect and how to participate. 

• 6. Off-Season Tournaments – Guides athletes through optional preseason and postseason tournaments, including registration, weigh-ins, transportation, and what to expect on competition day. 

• 7. USA Wrestling – Explains USA Wrestling membership, SafeSport requirements, and step-by-step instructions for compliance needed to participate in off-season tournaments and club practices.

• 8. Competition Day Guide – Provides detailed guidance for the day of a competition (and the night before), covering what to pack, weigh-ins, warm-ups, food and hydration, sportsmanship, match flow, and post-competition steps.

• 9. Varsity vs Junior Varsity – Explains the structure of the DPHS wrestling program, differences between JV and Varsity, the role of wrestle-offs, and how athletes earn their spot on each team. 

• 10. Postseason – Covers the period from early March to mid-June, including freestyle and Greco-Roman practices, strength training, optional tournaments, and continued year-round development after the official season. 

• 11. Summer Training – Covers the period from mid-June to mid-August, including the CIF mandatory break, summer practices, strength and conditioning sessions, opportunities for rising freshmen, and coach-approved summer wrestling camps. 

Upcoming topics: 

• Building Community – Booster Club, communication, volunteering, and fundraising.

• Alumni & History – Program highlights and photo archives.

• Long-Term Development – Off-season opportunities and preventing burnout.

No matter where you are in the season, this is the place to start and the place to come back to.