Welcome Wrestling Parents

1. Welcome Wrestling Parents NFHS Wrestling Rule Changes

2. NFHS Wrestling Rule Changes for the 2006-2007 Season • All states following NFHS guidelines will need to have a protocol in place that addresses safe weight practices, contains a nutritional component, body fat and hydration assessment methods in place and a minimum allowable percent body fat of 7% for males and 12% for females

3. Step 1 Hydration Test • A wrestlers specific gravity of urine must be equal to or less than 1.025, which is a hydrated state, in order to proceed to body fat assessment • Specific gravity is measured with a refractometer, digital or optical • If they do not fall into the 1.025 or less then you need to wait 24 hours before retesting

4. Tips to pass the Hydration Test • Stay away from caffinated beverages • Avoid vigorous activity for two days prior to testing • Avoid supplements and multi vitamins for two days prior to the testing • Drink plenty of water for the two days prior to testing

5. Step 2 Body Fat Assessment • Once the wrestler has passed the hydration test, then body fat assessment is completed by using either Lange skin fold calipers, Hydrostatic Weighing or Bod Pod • Get an accurate weight of the wrestler • Begin taking skin fold measurements at appropriate sites(3 for males, 2 for females)

6. Skinfold Measurement Sites • Males • Tricep • Subscapular • Abdominal • Females • Tricep • Subscapular

7. Step 3 NWCA Optimal Performance Calculator • www.nwcaonline.com • You will need to enter in the following data • Date • Gender • Urine specific Gravity (pass or fail) • Current Body Weight (Alpha Body Weight) • Skin fold, Hydrostatic weigh or Bod Pod Measurements

8. NWCA Optimal Performance Calculator - cont. • It will automatically calculate • Percent Body Fat • Fat Weight • Fat Free Weight • Lowest allowable wrestling weight • Based on established guidelines • The earliest date that the wrestler can achieve that weight based on a safe weight loss decent program of 1.5% of their alpha weight per day

9. NWCA Optimal Performance Calculator - cont. • Provides each wrestler with educational material specific to nutrition, diet plans and weight management • Can be viewed in the athletes spare time and with their parents input be able to work on a meal plan, examine their weight loss decent plan and monitor their progress

10. Safe weight loss decent plan • Will follow the established 1.5% weight loss per week • If they do not follow the plan • The date that they may wrestle at a particular weight could be changed • If they weigh in at a weight before they are allowed it will send a flag to the PIAA District Wrestling Chairperson/Committee

11. Important Dates • Assessments can be performed and entered in the NWCA Optimal Performance Calculator six weeks prior to the starting date of wrestling • Appeals should be completed before the first scheduled event such as a scrimmage • If an athlete is in a fall season and participating in post season play • They have 14 days from the day that they start wrestling practice to have the initial assessment and appeal completed

12. Assessors • Must be a Certified Athletic Trainer, School Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Licensed Physician • Trained by attending a scheduled course