About BAYWL:

BAYWL provides a beginner-friendly, supportive environment for young wrestlers with two years or less of experience. Our goal is to offer positive first competition experiences, emphasizing learning, growth, and fun. Matches follow a 1-1-1 format (three one-minute periods), focused on encouragement, development, and enjoyment.  If your wrestler is already comfortable at USA Wrestling California Association events, these matches are not for them.  These opportunities are meant to be a bridge so wrestlers and families can ease into the competition scene.  We will educate parents and athletes on how to use USA Bracketing as well as how to navigate a wrestling competition.  The focus will be on education and fun.   

Event Schedule:

*Depending on the venue, events will take place in the morning or the afternoon. 

Morning Events: Arrival at 8:30 AM; matches from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM  

Afternoon Events: Arrival at 12:30 PM; matches from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Event Format:

• These events use a scramble format.  This format is often used when traditional brackets are not feasible or desired, especially for younger age groups.  

• In a scramble, wrestlers are paired based on specific criteria, such as weight, age and ability  to maximize participation, competition, and safe mat time for each participant.  

Participant Expectations:

• A desire to participate (or to come and watch) matches. 

• A basic understanding of rules and scoring.

• An understanding that having good sportsmanship takes practice, experience, and modeling. 

Coaching & Fan Standards:

• Coaches explicitly teach wrestlers how to navigate a wrestling match. 

• Coaches and fans emphasize effort and coachability. 

• Coaches and fans normalize both winning and losing as natural parts of the sport. 

• Fans cheer positively, supporting all athletes.

Our focus is on education and creating a memorable first experience that encourages young wrestlers to continue developing and competing at USA Wrestling California Association Events.