This Association supports 15 sites throughout Northeastern Ohio, and involves approximately 125 teams and 3000 wrestlers.
OYWA is an instructional league intended to help youngsters in the 4th, 5th and 6th grade learn about wrestling and sportsmanship. This league was organized for the sole purpose of introducing wrestling to those youngsters, and to teach the sport and sportsmanship that goes hand in hand with wrestling. The discipline learned in practice, body conditioning and actual competition was the prime objective of the founding fathers of the Ohio Youth Wrestling Association. 1979 was the start of OYWA.
Coaching Requirements and Expectations
OYWA League Rule #2:
II. Eligibility:
A. Regular season eligibility:
1. The Ohio Youth Wrestling Association is limited to students from kindergarten to 6th grade, with birth dates after August 1, 2012 (for the 2025-2026 season). Your roster will be checked. Birth certificates and/or report cards are required upon request. The child may wrestle but will not be eligible to wrestle in the Sectional, District, or State tournaments.
2. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, be treated differently from another person, or otherwise be discriminated against in the Ohio Youth Wrestling Association, league, meets, or tournaments.
B. Tournament Eligibility:
1. Each wrestler must weigh in at all varsity events and compete at a varsity level at least 3 times to be eligible for the Sectional tournament. To qualify for the All-Star tournament wrestlers must weigh-in a minimum of 3 times during the regular season.
2. Each wrestler must have made weight at his entered weight class (or lower) at least one (1) time.
3. On January 1ST each wrestler will be allowed a 1 lb growth allowance. (56 is 57, ect)
4. At the Sectional Tournament each wrestler will be allowed a 1 lb growth. allowance. (56 is 58, ect.)
5. At the District and State Tournaments weights are the same as sectional. (56 is 58, ect)
6. This tournament is intended for VARSITY Ohio Youth Wrestlers who participate each week in our dual meets. Missing a scheduled OYWA event to participate in a non-OYWA event will not be tolerated and will affect tournament eligibility. Two (2) varsity matches qualify the wrestler as a varsity wrestler. *SEE RULE XVII-E*
7. Each league must have a minimum of four (4) scheduled weeks of matches for participation in the tournament.
8. Tournaments will only be approved at the OYWA fall sectional meeting for the upcoming wrestling season. The tournament must be held during the season and will count toward season weigh-ins. The sectional manager must be present during weigh-ins and throughout the event. Each sectional must report the wrestler's name, school, tournament and intended weight class to the commissioner and support desk.
C. All coaches must have a background check every two years. Background check process will be available from September 15 and will not be processed after Jan. 1, for each league season. Coaches pass will be issued to be used for all practices and dual meets. Must always be visible while on the floor. USA wrestling coach pass will be honored.
D. All teams must have at least one person with a certified CPR card.
E. All coaches must either (1) hold a pupil-activity program permit or (2) successfully complete every two years, an online training program in recognizing the symptoms of concussion and head injuries.
F. All coaches/managers/directors are required to sign the online Rules Form by the date required.**(end of rules)**
1. Mangers/Directors – November 1st
2. Head Coach – December 1st
3. Assistant Coach – January 1st
G. All coaches and parents must complete the requirements of the Ohio Law titled Lindsay Law.
Association Rules
National Rules
Background Check Requirements
25-26 Team List
