Tournament:
Weigh-in time (be early!):
Wrestler's gear bag
- Singlet (and backup if owned)
- Headgear
- Wrestling shoes + spare laces
- Slides/sandals for between mats
- Warm-ups / hoodie / sweatpants
- Extra t-shirt and extra socks
- Small towel
- Athletic tape + band-aids
- Nail clippers (weigh-in check!)
- Hair ties / hair cover if needed
- Mouthguard (if braces)
- Skin-check paperwork if applicable
- Membership card (USAW/AAU) if required
- Headphones / book / homework
- Phone charger
- Blanket / pillow (bus ride, if applicable)
The cooler (see the eating schedule!)
- 2+ water bottles
- 1–2 sports drinks
- Sandwiches, halved (PB&J / turkey)
- Bananas / orange slices / grapes
- Applesauce pouches
- Pretzels / crackers / granola bars
- Greek yogurt on ice
- Chocolate milk (for after the last match)
- Post-tournament treat (morale!)
Parent bag
- Bleacher seat / cushion
- Phone charger / power bank
- Cash for admission & concessions
- Layers (gyms run cold AND hot)
- Your own food and coffee
- Bracket app installed & wrestler bookmarked
- Patience (extra-large)
Before leaving home
- Nails trimmed
- Any skin issues checked/documented
- Breakfast plan set for after weigh-ins
- Gas in the car, venue address in GPS
- Coach's phone number saved
The when-to-eat-what schedule is on Tournament Day Fuel; the how-the-day-works guide is here.