JV matches

[MAL]

What can be done to get JV wrestlers more matches? JV wrestlers should be getting as many as the varsity, but some are not even getting half as many. I have always believed live matches are the best practice, and these kids need more matches. I don't know what can be done, posibly JV superduels or posibly more tournaments allow JV wrestlers to fill the byes and pigtail into the bracket. This is a big problem and I know IHSA has restrictive rules, but there has to be something that can be done.

[ctdad]

It's tough for A, as many squads have enough trouble filling out a full varsity team. It's tough at the big schools; at Moline, we are able to fill complete JV and F/S squads, but most of the other local schools don't (East Moline and Geneseo are exceptions). Travel budgets aren't going to allow trips to Chicago every weekend for JV kids.

A couple of things come to mind:

Don't be afraid to move kids up a weight class. My son did JV level matches from 160-189 last year, even though his weight was 159-163. Coaches know ability levels, they can adjust accordingly. Also, exhibitions are a JV kid's best friend. Do more than one in a night, especially late in the year.

Moline (and other local schools) sends it's JV squad to local Class A varsity tournaments. That gets everyone a couple matches, and it's at a higher caliber than a typical JV tournament. If there are extra kids, they send a JV "B" team as well.

Use some JV kids at varsity multiduals. Coaches can get together to pair up JV kids in a team's 4th-5th dual of the day where possible, especially in duals you know are not going to be that close.

[wrestling observer]

Our class A team overschedules duals so the Varsity guys have to sit out 5-6 matches which gives the jv guys more opportunities to wrestle. Our Jv's get a lot of matches...