Frequently Asked Questions

We generally serve youth ages 3–14, with placement based on age, grade, experience, and readiness. Little Hammers is intended for fully potty-trained first-year Pre-K wrestlers, generally ages 3–5; some kindergarteners may be best suited to this group. Coaches have the final say in placement.

See the full practice-level descriptions for guidance.

Little Hammers: Generally first-year Pre-K wrestlers, ages 3–5, who are fully potty trained; some kindergarteners may be better suited here. Learning through basic positions, movement, tumbling, games, and early mindset training.

Novice: Generally first- and second-year wrestlers in kindergarten through 3rd grade. A structured introduction to the fundamentals with a strong emphasis on learning to love wrestling, building coordination, and developing good practice habits.

Open: Generally wrestlers in their third year or beyond, or wrestlers in 4th grade and above. A faster-paced room emphasizing fundamental mastery and competition readiness. Middle-school wrestlers may participate in Open or Elite.

Elite: Typically 3rd grade and above with at least two years of wrestling experience and the skills and readiness for advanced training. Kindergarten–2nd grade wrestlers require approval from multiple coaches. This room focuses on technical mastery, high-level offense and defense, conditioning, and preparation for demanding competition.

Elite practices are intentionally challenging, both physically and mentally. Our athletes are pushed beyond their comfort zones and expected to respond with discipline, resilience, and accountability. By working through difficult training in a structured, supportive environment, wrestlers can emerge tougher, more confident, better prepared to compete, and stronger as people. Coaches tailor expectations to each athlete’s readiness and emphasize safe, positive development.

Group descriptions are guidelines, not rigid placement rules. Contact a coach with placement questions.

Yes! Our Open and Novice practice-group designations are completely separate from—and independent of—Open and Novice competition divisions.

For competition, Novice is for first- and second-year wrestlers only. Practicing in the Open room does not, by itself, change that eligibility.

For example, a 4th grader in their second year of wrestling should attend Open practice and can still compete in Novice tournaments. Practice placement is based on the right learning environment for the wrestler’s age, experience, and readiness—not a requirement to enter Open competition.

Always check the individual tournament’s entry requirements. Click here to contact a coach if you are unsure which practice group or tournament division is appropriate.

Folkstyle / Winter Regular Season: November–March. Folkstyle is the primary style used by U.S. high schools and colleges.

Freestyle & Greco-Roman / Spring: April–May.

Summer (Champion Season): June–July.

Fall / Pre-Season: August–October. See the calendar for the actual current practice schedule.

November–February: Practices are split between Washburn Rural High School (WRHS), 5900 SW 61st Street, Topeka, KS 66619, and Washburn Rural Middle School (WRMS), 5620 SW 61st Street, Topeka, KS 66619.

Little Hammers and Novice practice at WRHS. Regular Tuesday/Thursday Open practices are also at WRHS. Elite practices and the Wednesday combined Open/Elite practice take place at WRMS.

March–October: All club practices are at WRHS. Facility exceptions and cancellations will be announced.

For days, times, and building entrance maps, see Practices & Levels.

No. Practices are not mandatory, but we recommend attending at least two practices per week during the regular season for wrestlers in the applicable groups. More consistent attendance generally supports steady development; choose an appropriate schedule for your family and wrestler.

The weekly schedule and important changes are communicated through the club’s Discord announcements. Turn on phone notifications for the important-updates channel so you do not miss necessary updates. We aim to reserve those notifications for need-to-know information.

You can also consult Weekly Updates / Discord and the club calendar.

The final regular-season practice for both Little Hammers and Novice is Wednesday, February 3, 2027.

Novice wrestlers who participate in the Open State Championship series may continue practicing through the postseason, potentially into March. Watch the calendar and club announcements for confirmed final dates.

The current 2026–27 registration fees and sibling-discount details are listed on the Practices & Levels page. Please check that page rather than relying on old pricing copied into other resources.

Yes. Topeka Blue Thunder is chartered through USA Wrestling / USA Wrestling–Kansas, District 3. Wrestlers and coaches need current USA Wrestling memberships for regular participation. The short-term trial liability waiver is available in our Document Library and is only for wrestlers trying out before obtaining a USA Wrestling card. It does not replace USA Wrestling membership for ongoing practices or competition.

USAW membership renewal: USA Wrestling membership cards expire every year on August 31, even if purchased later in the membership year. The next year begins September 1. For 2026–27, cards are valid September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. Renew your USAW card before attending practice or an event after expiration. The club’s year-round training registration does not renew this separate membership automatically.

Visit USA Wrestling membership or the club document library.

Wrestling shoes are required for practice. Basic wrestling shoes typically cost about $35–$75 and are perfectly adequate. We recommend pocketless athletic shorts and a well-fitting T-shirt. A singlet or other competition uniform is not needed for regular practice. Headgear is optional for youth practices; our recommendation to wear headgear applies to competition, not practice.

Headgear requirements vary by level: In USA Wrestling–Kansas youth competitions, headgear was required until a 2024 rule change made it optional. Topeka Blue Thunder still recommends headgear for youth competition, but not for regular youth practices. High school wrestling requires headgear for competition under NFHS/KSHSAA rules, and college folkstyle wrestling also requires headgear (including NCAA men’s wrestling). Always follow the rules of your specific event. See the USA Wrestling–Kansas youth rules and the NFHS high school rules.

Competition uniform: Wrestlers must wear a wrestling singlet or a wrestling-approved two-piece uniform for competition. Topeka Blue Thunder wrestlers are expected to wear a Topeka Blue Thunder–branded singlet the majority of the time when competing.

Free equipment rentals: Topeka Blue Thunder rents team singlets and headgear to our wrestlers at no cost. Ask a coach about borrowing equipment.

For USA Wrestling–Kansas youth folkstyle competition, a wrestler’s age is determined as of August 31 immediately before the competitive season. For the 2026–27 season, use your child’s age on August 31, 2026. A birthday later in the season does not automatically move them into the next age division.

For example, a wrestler who was 10 on August 31, 2026 generally remains in the 9 & 10 age bracket for the 2026–27 Kansas youth folkstyle season, even after an 11th birthday. Some tournaments allow wrestling up or combine brackets, and high-school or freestyle/Greco events may use other eligibility rules. Always check the tournament flyer. See USA Wrestling–Kansas Rule 4-4-1 (Age & Weight Divisions).

We do not recommend competition for Little Hammers, and we do not recommend that every Novice wrestler compete. A child’s emotional and physical maturity, confidence, readiness, and interest should guide that decision. Coaches can help families decide when competition would be a positive experience.

Weekend tournaments take place at high schools and other venues around Kansas, with opportunities available for much of the year. Typical entry fees are approximately $20–$50 per tournament. Check each event for its actual registration fee, eligibility, and schedule.

To coach for TBTWC, complete a background check, complete SafeSport training, and purchase a USA Wrestling Wrestling Leader membership. The background check and SafeSport training must be completed before you can purchase the Wrestling Leader membership.

Create a profile at USA Wrestling’s membership website; from that account you can access the background check, SafeSport training, and membership purchase. See Help Us Coach or contact us with questions.

Absolutely. Sponsorships help support our wrestlers and club programs. View the 2026–27 sponsorship form.