Thunder Program Overview

- Thunder program is designed for grades 1-8 of all skill levels

- This is convenient for families that wish to remain in the local multi-county area of northern Virginia 

- Practices are two times per week with options to practice more if desired

- Competitions are structured for families to get in and out quickly without staying at events all day

- Northern Virginia Wrestling Federation (NVWF) is the main venue for Sunday competitions

Photo Gallery for DYS Wrestling Families ~ online

- DYS Wrestling Commissioner or Lightning lead manager provides access to all DYS families registered for the Thunder and Lightning season 2017-18.

- DYS families have abilities to view, download, or upload additional pictures.

NVWF Overview

- Last year's statistics, demographics, and locations of clubs and wrestlers ~ reference materials

- This year's stats online ~ HERE

Typical registration & participation process for NVWF tournaments

- once wrestlers register for DSYS they are required to additionally register with NVVF once for the entire winter season

- wrestlers merely show up on the day of the tournament during the pre-announced weighin periods

- start times begin 9:00 am for the younger age groups, and when complete, the older age groups systematically arrive thereafter

- round robin groups are generally posted on the walls in the halls to create groups of four whereby each person gets at most three matches

- groups are assigned one mat or station for the duration of the event

Weight classes for NVWF tournaments are formed via the Madison format

- madison system weight classes are formed by taking kids of a certain age group (typically 2-year increments) and sometimes divided further into experience levels, then taking the kids closest in weight to form a group or bracket with a maximum weight variance of 10% spread

Typical rules for NVWF tournaments

- matches for younger kids are generally three 60-second periods

- matches for older kids are generally three 90-second periods

- overtime rules vary but generally are one minute neutral followed by 30-second rideout periods

Example NVWF Tournaments & Table Formats

- Reference guide ~ online