Coaches Packet

HANFORD FALCONS

WRESTLING EXPECTATIONS GUIDELINES

2025-26

Contact information:

Head Coach: Dom Duncan

e-mail: dominic.duncan@rsd.edu

Phone number: 509-981-7009

Please feel free to contact me anytime… 

EXCEPT DIRECTLY FOLLOWING A MATCH/DUAL/TOURNAMENT

Assistant Coaches: Jonathan Wilson

Kyler Mars, Josh Lucas, Matt Gibson, Bob Perkes, Dalton McCorkle, Taylor Wilson

Volunteer Assistants: Zak Smith

1. 1. Philosophy

      1. As coaches the most important thing for us is that our former wrestlers become productive members of the community; that they take lessons learned in the wrestling room and translate those into life lesson.  

      2. There is a spot for everyone in our program; as long as they are willing to work hard.

      3. Playing time (Clearly stated how it’s earned) 

• Dual Meets- coaches will decide the line-up for dual meets based on what we feel is the best match up for our team at each weight.  A wrestler may be moved up a weight to allow for a better team match up.  This may or may not move other wrestler up in the line-up or it may bump a wrestler out of a Varsity spot for a dual.

Tournaments-wrestlers will wrestle off for tournament line-up spots.  The reason for this is we only are allowed one entry into most tournaments.   CHALLENGE MATCHES will be announced on Monday and wrestled on Tuesday or Wednesday. Challenge matches will be wrestled as follows.  4 must challenge 3, the winner then can challenge 2.  It is a ladder system, you cannot jump over a spot to challenge, you must challenge each level first. Missed practices will limit wrestler’s ability to request a challenge match.

1. 1. 3. 1. We coach an offensive style of wrestling.  We are aggressive and are attacking from the opening whistle and condition accordingly.

            1. 1. Hi-C, Single, Double, Fireman’s carry, ankle pick, duck under

               2. Stand-up, switch, Granby, sit-out

               3. Half, tilts, spiral, arm bars series, cradles

               4. Although several other “fancy” moves will work against less talented wrestlers; we train to beat the best.  We keep our system very limited and simple.

         2. Our goal on the mat is to outwork our opponent during the regular and off season so that we will have an advantage physically and mentally on the mat.

         3. Cut Policy-wrestling’s policy for cutting athletes is if a wrestler misses 3 practices UNEXCUSED they will be asked to turn in their gear.  EXCUSED does not mean mom & dad said I didn’t have to go.

            1. EXCUSED: Dr, Dentist, Family Emergency.

            2. ****IF AN ATHLETE IS ASKED TO TURN IN THEIR GEAR DUE TO ATTENDANCE OR THEY QUIT THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED BACK DURING THE SEASON****

         4. Coach Expectations / Objectives-Our expectations as a coaching staff is that our team comes out to work hard and get better every day.  As long as we are continuing to improve we will reach our over-all goals for the season.   Wrestling is unique as it is a team sport as well as individual sport.

7. 1. Our overall goal is that our wrestlers leave our room at the end of their high school career and will become productive members of their community!!  

   2. Win the Conference Dual Meet

      1. As a team this can be achieved.  Through hard work and sacrifice.  Each team member plays a part in becoming MCC Champions.

   3. Win the 4A Boys District Wrestling Championship and Girls Sub-Regional Tournaments

      1. We are allowed 2 wrestlers in each of the 14 weight classes into the district tournament each able to score team points for Hanford.

   4. Win a 4A Boys & Girls  State Team Title

      1. Getting individuals to the state tournament and scoring points for Hanford will get us to this goal.  Each wrestler can score points and work towards helping the team become the overall TEAM STATE WRESTLING CHAMPIONS. 

   5. Our staff will coach everyone the same; every wrestler whether a returning state veteran or a freshmen that is taking on their first wrestling experience will be coached with the passion and drive that has made our coaching staff want to give back to a sport that has given each of them so much.

2. Team Rules / Expectations

   1. Practice Requirements

      1. Athletes are expected to be at practice everyday.  Wrestling is a very difficult sport to try and back track and re-teach concepts.  If an athlete needs to miss practice they need to talk to the coaching staff ahead of time.  If it becomes a continual problem they will be asked to turn in their gear.

   2. Practice Schedule – Practice times / Days

      1. See schedule handout (SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON TEAM SIZE) Wrestling Room.

      2. Most Tuesdays/Thursdays are duals and Friday/Saturdays are tournament days.  

      3. Wrestlers need to be in the assigned area ready to work at 3:00 girls or 5:30 boys

      4. During Duals after your squad has wrestled you will need to be in the stands in our designated team area.  The bench is for the immediate squad competing.  

      5. There is a complete season practice schedule attached.  There are a couple TBA days but I will try and get the time out as quickly as possible.

   3. Travel / Transportation Expectations

      1. Wrestlers will ride in school transportation to the event. (except TCs area away events)

      2. We expect the wrestlers to be at the school 30 minutes before leave time to check weight and make sure we are ready to leave at the designated leave time.

      3. When arriving from an event we expect wrestlers and managers to have a ride.  We do not want to wait for rides to show up.  The schedule will be out so there should not be any problems making arrangements for this to happen.

         1. If coaches have to wait.  Then wrestlers will be taken off of the travel squad.

   4. Player Expectations

      1. The expectations for our student-athletes are

         1. They are students FIRST

         2. They work hard everyday to not only become a better wrestler but a better community member.

      2. Wrestlers and managers will have grade checks done every 3 weeks.  Dates are on the whiteboard.  IF AN ATHLETE IS INELIGIBLE FOR 2 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS (not grade checks) THEY WILL BE ASKED TO TURN IN THEIR GEAR!

   5. Parent Expectations

      1. We as coaches want parents to support their son/daughter and all other team members.

      2. Parents will need to make sure that their wrestler has transportation at appropriate times. (Teammates are usually willing to help when needed)

         1. Please do not make us wait when we return from trips.  We too have families that have sacrificed time apart to allow us to coach.

   6. Equipment / Uniforms

      1. No modifications can be made to district issued equipment

      2. Wrestlers need 2 sets of practice gear.  

      3. Wrestling singlets will be checked out for the season.

      4. Warm-ups checked wrestlers hold on to for the season

   7. Fundraising

      1. Each wrestler will be required to participate in the cookie dough fundraiser. The fundraising makes it possible for us to order new equipment, take over night trips, and other very useful items used with our sport. 

   8. Communication

      1. Coach to Parent

         1. I will not meet with parents directly following a dual/tournament. The reason for this is that wrestling is a very emotional sport both up and down and so this allows for a cooling off period for anybody involved.

         2. We will be having a parent’s night to cover many concerns that might arise about the sport of wrestling.  We also use group me and final forms for weekly schedules and information is posted on white boards in the wrestling room.

         3. Additionally please feel free to talk to me about any concerns you have that may come up during the course of the season or off season.

            1. If it is a concern that your student-athlete has please have them talk to the coaches first to see if there is some kind of resolution that can be reached.

      2. Coach to Athlete

         1. All athletes should feel that they can come and talk to any of the coaches about concerns they might have.

            1. I DO EXPECT TO HEAR FROM AN ATHLETE IF  THERE IS A PROBLEM BEFORE I HAVE A PARENT MEETING.

3. Injury Protocol

   1. If an athlete has an injury, they need to let the coach know as soon as possible.  They may return to play after Coach/ Trainer assessment.

   2. If an athlete is injured to the point that they need to be seen by a doctor, they must have a doctor’s note of “Return to Participation” to continue practicing or playing.

   3. RSD Head (Concussion) Protocol – RSD protocol will be followed.

4. Lettering Policy 

   1. As determined by the coach clearly stated:

      1. AN ATHLETE MUST COMPLETE THEIR ENTIRE SEASON TO LETTER.  THEY CANNOT QUIT OR BE REMOVED FROM THE TEAM AND STILL LETTER!!!

      2. Varsity Letter Points (2OO to letter)

         1. 1 point is scored for every regular practice

         2. 2 points are scored for every School Vacation Day practice 

         3. 5 points for every match the wrestler makes weight at their weight class.

            1. Wrestlers will tell the coaching staff on Monday what weight they will be wrestling at. If they miss they will not get their letter points for THAT match.

         4. Districts

            1. 15 points per day 

         5. State

            1. 25 points for Day 1

            2. 50 points for Day 2

         6. There will possibly be some other situations throughout the year for wrestlers to obtain more additional points.

2. COACH’S DISCRETION