This past week-end, at our GWAL League tournament, us coaches implemented a rule as far as the tournament goes. You can't put a kid in the J.V. League Tournament unless you have a kid in the Varsity Place. Too many times we had full 12 man J.V. brackets while the varsity tournament would have 4-5 man brackets (FOR A LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS). Coaches believed that putting their kids in the easier tournament was going to make them successful in the future or they did not want to discourage them if they went 0-2.

I was a huge proponent of this rule change and loved it. Every bracket but 1 I believe had at least 8 kids in it at the varsity level. If I remember right, 1 bracket had 7 kids. The J.V. Tournament was a true J.V. and not varsity kids wrestling down because they were 3-15 on the year at the varsity level. It was good for everyone and I can't imagine there was one kid this week-end who wrestled varsity that regrets it.

I believe we should have the same rule with duals but it would be hard to implement. I spent all year doing everything I could to not have any opens in duals. I had to early because my lone 106 pounder was hurt until January and did not make weight once. However, I would move guys up and put J.V. guys in the varsity dual so when the paper came out with results the next day, there were as few as opens at possible.

If they are the best in the room, they can wrestle varsity. I am not saying you can't also put them in J.V. tournaments, but when you need to fill a line-up.... You put guys in at all cost.

I don't know about guys dodging competition to get a regional seed. It is something I could not even fathom doing. Kids get hurt, sick, skin diseases, family members die, grades might not be up to par, etc. The life of a high school coach is much harder than anyone can imagine. I wish I would have started a book 12 years ago called "The Excuses of why I can't practice or compete". I have heard some doosy's. I am not saying dodging does not take place. But I can only fix what I do and roll with it. I can't fix others choices.....

As far as doctors notes for not competing. I love me some Beason... but that is so far fetched I don't know what to think. I pray I can always put my best line-up out. However, if I can't for some reason beyond my control, I pray I don't have to fill out a form or get a doctors excuse every time! Kids are kids... parents are worse than kids at times... a lot is out of our control. Again, i can only control my mindset and hope it carries over to theirs and others.

I went all over the place in this post... but have fun with it.