ANNUAL OVERVIEW

get in where you fit in …

Late September → Early March = Fall/Winter Season – “Regular Season”: At ACYW Club, we often refer to this window as the “Regular Season” because it coincides with the Scholastic Wrestling Season, which begins with Preseason Tournaments, and culminates with the PIAA State Championships.

During the Regular Season, ACYW focuses on developing fundamental Folkstyle Wrestling skills through separated Beginner (Novice) and Experienced/Advanced (Open) Practices and Events. This approach allows us to focus on the different skill sets associated with each age group and skill level, while also accommodating those “in-season” wrestling skills associated with Folkstyle success for all wrestling groups.

Early on (early September through October), during Fall Practices, we work predominately with experienced/returning wrestlers who may be participating in other sports, but still wrestle occasionally in the off-season. Early practice goals will target success at pre-season events (Super 32, Interstate 64, Takedowns Tournaments, etc.), so most practices are geared towards advanced wrestling tactics.

This is why we always say at ACYW, “year around wrestling doesn’t mean you don’t play other sports”! In fact, we ENCOURAGE or kids to put other sports first, and during this window we find creative ways to keep our kids active, while also allowing them to finish-up their Summer-Sports Schedule.

Later (November), we transition to more Winter practices, and these are often more granulated & focused as our member numbers increase due to new registrants due to other sports seasons ending. At this point, we break into smaller groups and bring in more coaches to accommodate the various levels of experience/skill-sets. These practices are often used to supplement/enhance Scholastic Club Practices (since wrestling season begins), with additional focus on more basic skills, introductory tactics, rules/scoring, novice techniques, and over time we transition into increased technique through attrition, but this is ONLY done once we determine where your child needs to be (what groups will benefit them most).

Our primary focus during this Regular Season, is to increase Our Keystone Stars potential for success at League Tournaments/Matches, PJW’s, MAWA’s, and at the PIAA State Wrestling Championships.

As the year progresses, we will take some kids to more advanced practice sessions at affiliate club locations, while also staying home with those wrestlers who need a more hands-on approach. In addition, we also use this same approach with “Events”. We have found that it’s important to build confidence in our Stars, so we will often take some kids to “Open Events” (all skill levels and experience levels allowed), and others to “Novice Events” where ONLY 1st and 2nd year wrestlers are allowed.

Late March → July = Spring/Summer Season – “Off Season”: At ACYW Club, we often refer to this window as the “Off Season” because it does NOT coincide with the Scholastic Wrestling Season. Following the PIAA State Wrestling Tournament (and after a brief break), ACYW Club transitions to Freestyle and Greco-Roman Style wrestling for the Spring/Summer Seasons.

We strongly believe that the skills developed in these International Styles of Wrestling directly translate to superior wrestling in Folkstyle Wrestling – and this is a FACT that has been proven in recent years. In addition, these advanced Wrestling Styles, are also very closely tied to additional fighting styles that have become very popular today (think MMA).

During the Off-Season, our practices focus primarily on advanced skill development in these Wrestling Styles, with emphasis on weekend competitions at PAWF Events, with an ultimate goal of increasing our Keystone Stars success at The PAWF State Tournament, and other National-Level Tournaments such as Fargo/Flo Nationals/NHSCA National Duals in Virginia Beach, Disney Duals, etc.

Finally, at ACYW we DO UNDERSTAND that this is The Summer Season, and therefore it’s Family Time! As a Club that is Family 1st oriented, we ALWAYS encourage our Keystone Stars to ONLY participate in the off-season if they are having fun or wanting to improve, BUT NEVER sacrifice Family for Sport, or feel “obligated” (this will surely lead to kids becoming disenfranchised with wrestling & quitting).

To help in these areas, we often hold numerous Summer Camps & Clinics that teach our Keystone Stars how to have fun while improving (fishing, swimming, games, etc. – all while wrestling. Another option that we recently added to our off-season itinerary are Outdoor Tournaments, Tournaments at Theme Parks (i.e. Disney, Dorney Park, Kennywood, etc.), and at The Beach (Va. Beach Duals, Atlantic City, etc.). Our innovative/kid friendly approach to off-season wrestling has led to increased retention from year to year, and even growth during the off-season (which is unheard of).

If you choose to participate in ACYW Offseason, please be sure to secure a USA Wrestling Insurance Card. These USA Wrestling Insurance Cards will be required to participate in Offseason Practices, and other Offseason Events such as USA Sponsored Tournaments, Camps, Clinics, Training Sessions, etc. To start this process of securing your USA Wrestling Insurance Card, go to this link: https://www.usawmembership.com/login and set up a USA Wrestling User Account. Following account activation, contact your ACYW Coach and they will advise on what steps are required in regards to “Card/Membership Type”, and what USA Charter to use. These options will cost anywhere between $15 and $65, and final costs are contingent upon what level of activity the card will be used for (i.e. what events).

Whatever you choose to do, Keystone Stars will accommodate your child’s availability and find a way to make wrestling work for them! Our goal for now is to help you and your little star “get in where they fit in”…….