Nichols Middle School Savage Wrestling Clinic
After-School Clinic Every Thursday
March 2 through April 6
This year the Nichols Middle School will be starting a new tradition. The NMS Savage Wrestling clinic. Although there have been successful wrestling programs here in the past, this year, we are looking to build and revamp what was once a very strong sport for the town of Middleboro. In recent years it seems as though wrestling has been a forgotten staple of Middleboro sports teams, while the focus has shifted to Football, Basketball, and Baseball. In reality, there is no sport that can help train the body and mind to succeed in those sports like wrestling can.
Our wrestling camp will focus on technical knowledge, critical thinking, and making quick intelligent decisions. These skills can mentally prepare your student athlete for any variety of challenges that he/she faces on or off the playing field, and in life. We will also show every participant what it takes to physically prepare and perform at a high level for a variety of sports. Most of the physical techniques they will learn transcend different sports and can be beneficial to whatever activity they participate in. We will teach about balance, power, flexibility, stamina, and explosiveness.
So far, this may seem like we are going to put your athlete through a tough brutal practice. In reality all these lessons are taught through games, races, and competitions that really focus on doing things correctly not just fast. Our goal is to make your athlete fall in love with the sport and have as much fun as possible for the hour and a half we have to teach them.
I look forward to teaching your student athlete about the sport I love so much and I can not wait to open a new chapter of Middleboro Wrestling. If you have any questions please feel free to email me pdonovan@middleboro.k12.ma.us. Registration and Sign-Up forms are in the Main Office.
Coach Paul Donovan
Welcome To Wrestling!
A Parents FAQ’s and What to Expect
Before we get into the important stuff, CONGRATULATIONS! Your student/Athlete has shown interest in the oldest and greatest sport on earth. Wrestling was one of the original olympic sports and is still one of the best activities you can do to improve in all areas of athletic achievement. Because of it’s focus on balance, strength, power, footwork, stamina, agility, reaction time, flexibility, critical thinking, and technical knowledge; wrestling is the perfect activity to give your young athlete the skills and self awareness to succeed on and off the mats.
Is Wrestling just for boys? Nope. There is actually a very large community of female wrestlers not only in the U.S. but internationally. In fact, 3 years ago Massachusetts had its first ever female state champion. There are dozens of teams around the state with female wrestlers and typically they are quite skilled and tough for the boys to beat.
Is Wrestling Dangerous? This is the biggest misconception out there in regards to the sport. Even though wrestling is seen as a combat sport, it is much more about technique and quick thinking than fighting. Statistically, there are less injuries in wrestling than gymnastics, cheerleading, baseball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, football, lacrosse, and men/women’s basketball. Every sport has an element of injury but a wide majority of the injuries in wrestling are minor strains and sprains that are healed with a little rest.
How are students paired up for matches? Athletes are paired up by size and weight. Not by friend groups. Usually we will do drills and matches with groupings of 4 so each wrestler has a chance to wrestle more than 1 person his/her size and skill level.
Do I need to buy any equipment? If your kid is looking to also wrestle in high school I would look into buying some wrestling shoes. Other than that, the schools provide all the other equipment needed. All your athlete will need this year is sneakers, shorts, and a t-shirt. You can shop online for shoes if you do choose to go that route. The prices start at about $35. Personally I’ve owned many pairs of wrestling shoes in the last 20 years but my $35 pair has lasted me 7 of those years and they are definitely my all time favorite set. It is however, much easier to learn and compete with a pair of wrestling shoes compared to sneakers.
What is practice like? In high school, practices are tough. But this clinic is designed to introduce your athlete to wrestling and the techniques that are involved. Our sessions will run about an hour and a half and will focus on skill building, functional drills, and fun games. My goal is that your athlete doesn’t just learn what to do, they also will learn how fun the sport really is.
Cleanliness? One question every wrestling coach gets is about ringworm and other illnesses from wrestling. First, I would like to say, if your child is responsible and showers after every practice they will be fine. I have been on and off the mats for 20 years and I have never had ringworm, impetigo, or any other illness. Before every practice the mats are disinfected and washed thoroughly. The kids will also be instructed by me to wash themselves after every practice immediately when they get home. The best way to get clean after practice is by using any dandruff shampoo like you would a body wash. I usually recommend Selsun blue medicated. This clinic only runs once a week for 5 weeks so I am very sure we will not see any rashes. I would rather be safe than sorry though.
Goals: The goal of the NMS Wrestling Clinic is to introduce young wrestlers to the skills involved with wrestling, and to improve their skills for other sports/physical activities. Wrestling is a tough sport, but a very fun sport. It focuses mainly on stamina, flexibility, balance, power, and intelligence. Generally the best wrestlers are the athletes that work the hardest not only physically but mentally. The best lessons you learn in wrestling and in life do not come from winning, but instead, come from growing as an active learner every day through hard work and perseverance.
Behavior Expectations: Participants are expected to arrive at practice on time and with the proper equipment, to follow the instructions as provided by the coaches, and to maintain an attitude of sportsmanship and fair play. Any student athletes that do not adhere to the rules will be asked to sit out for the remainder of the practice or will be released from the program if problems persist.
Equipment/Clothing:
Footwear: sneakers or wrestling shoes - -NO BOOTS
Clothing: gym shorts or sweatpants, t-shirt, tank top, sweatshirts NO JEANS, NO ZIPPERS
NO JEWELRY IS TO BE WORN: WATCHES, EARRINGS, CHAINS, BRACELETS.
Fees: A $25.00 fee for this session. Checks payable to:
“Middleboro Wrestling”
ALL student athletes that complete the 6 week clinic will receive a certificate of completion and a T-Shirt commemorating their hard work.
About The Coach: Coach Donovan has spent the last 6 years as the Varsity/Junior Varsity coach of the MHS Sachem wrestling team. A high School wrestler at Silver Lake in Kingston he is a member of the 100 win club and competed in Division 1 wrestling in High School and College. He has worked for Nichols for 2 years and looks forward to starting a great tradition with the new SAVAGE wrestling clinic.
The Clinic Will run every Thursday from March 2nd-April 6th
2:35-4:05pm
