What are the Steps to Register MY Student Athlete for the DC Takedown Club?

1. Obtain a Current USA Wrestling Card at www.usamembership.com (Purchase or Renew) - Affiliate with the District of Columbia Takedown Club #2784501

2. Select Program

3. Add DCTC Training Bundle (not applicable to Current Club Members)

4. Download TEAMSNAP

5. Check the Schedule and Attend Training

Can MY Student Athlete Check Out a Training Session Before We Decide?

Yes. Click Here to Register for a Complimentary Training Session with our Club. We’d Love to Have You!

Does MY Student Athlete Need a USA Wrestling Card to Participate?

Yes! Each participating student-athlete must hold at minimum a current Limited Folkstyle Membership with USA Wrestling. Visit www.usawmembership.com to purchase or renew.  Cards Expire on the 31st of August each calendar year.

Please Affiliate with CLUB NAME: District of Columbia Takedown Club #2784501

What are the DC Takedown Club Training Locations?

DC Dream Center - 2826 Q Street SE Washington DC 20020*

DeanHood Fitness Club - 817 48th Street NE Washington DC 20019**

*Primary Training Facility // ** Private + Small Group Training

What are the DC Takedown Club Training Days and Times?

Mondays 6pm | Thursdays 6pm | Sundays 1pm

What are the DC Takedown Program Offerings? Register Here!

Ages 4 & 5 - TNT - Tumble n Tussle for Tots

Beginning Level for a WRESTLER.  This grouping is for young student-athletes in PK4 to Kindergarten. We focus on gross motor skills, balance, agility, gymnastics, stance, and spatial awareness.  This is a great place for anyyoung one to start.  Athletes in this group are eligible to compete.  Competition is completely optional.  Student-Athletes Train Once per Week at any available training location. *Each Week, Choose the Day, and Come Train!!!!

Ages 4-14 - School Age 

Beginner to Advanced LEVEL.  This grouping is for Pre-K4 to 9th Graders (Born 2011 or earlier).  Whether your student-athlete has wrestled before or not, School Age provides a dynamic and disciplined curriculum designed for all participants to master the fundamentals.  Student-Athletes Train at least Twice per Week with Three Training Days Available per Week. 

Ages  14 & Up - High School Students ONLY

Beginner to Advanced LEVEL.  This grouping is for HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY with very few exceptions.  Mind Game, Match Strategy, Situational Hacks, and More.  Fundamentals will always be a part of the success of this program, we help build those too, if needed.  Student-Athletes Train at least Twice per Week with Three Training Days Available per Week.

Ages 19 & Up - College Elite

ADVANCED.  Division I, II, III, and University CLUB Athletes. Student-Athletes Train By Appointment Only.

How Does Tuition Work?

The DC Takedown Club is a subscription-based youth sports program. Participating families either register their student athlete for a monthly training subscription or pay in advance for the training season. The Deadline to Register for Full Pay is August 31, 2025.

Your Training Tuition is paid in advance of the Month your Student Athlete is Training in. Subscriptions starting in August 2025 will allow for your Student Athlete to begin Training in September 2025. If your Student Athlete will participate in the Full Training Season, your last payment will be in May of 2025 and that payment covers your June 2025 Training.

For those that wish to Register and have their Student-Athlete start training right away, we will send you a pro-rated invoice directly to take care of the Current Month’s tuition.

Financial obligations must be filled in order for student-athletes to participate in training and/or competition.  Please note, training occurs September thru June + July and August a la carte. Tuition is a set cost, no matter the attendance or if additional training sessions are scheduled. Tuition is separate and apart from any and all competition and equipment fees.

Tuition Payments must be “Current” for student-athletes to attend training sessions for that respective month.

Does the DC Takedown Club Offer Financial Aid?

Yes. If your Family is in need of Financial Aid, please complete the Financial Aid Application. We have Four Levels of need-based aid we provide. We want to ensure our programs are accessible to the entire District of Columbia Community. Questions? Email DCTCEagles@gmail.com (Subject: Financial Aid)

What is the Method of Communication for the DC Takedown Club?

DC Takedown Club has an open communication policy for team members, parents, and coaches.  100% of TEAM Communication will be done through the messaging application TEAMSNAP.  You will receive a TeamSnap invite shortly after registration; if you are not already in our system.  If any concerns or questions should arise, a meeting can be scheduled at any time. 

What Dates will the DC Takedown Club Be OFF?

Monday September 1, 2025 - Labor Day

Monday October 13, 2025 - Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Thursday November 27, 2025 - Thanksgiving

Monday December 15, 2025 - Hanukkah

Tuesday December 23, 2025 - Friday January 2, 2026 - Christmas / New Year’s Break

Monday January 19, 2026 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday February 16, 2026 - Presidents’ Day

Sunday April 5, 2026 - Easter

Sunday May 10, 2026 - Mother’s Day

Sunday June 21, 2026 - Father’s Day

*There may be additional days added to the training calendar and days removed. We will not Charge families more if we train more than the schedule indicates and we will not Charge families less if a training session is removed from the Team Calendar

What Equipment Does MY Student Athlete Need?

(Suggested) Each student-athlete should have a pair of wrestling shoes and headgear. Amazon.com : Cliff Keen Wrestling-Protective-Headgear Cliff Keen F5 Tornado Headgear : Sports & Outdoors

(Suggested) HEADGEAR will be mandatory at all Winter training sessions. Amazon.com : wrestling shoes  Headgear will be optional once we’ve transitioned to the International Styles (freestyle/greco).

There are many brands and styles of Shoes and Headgear. There is no particular shoe better than another at this point in your Student Athlete’s career. Should you need assistance securing shoes and/or other equipment, please reach out directly. 

What Does MY Student Athlete Train in?

All DC Takedown Club Members are required to wear DCTC issued Gear at ALL TRAINING SESSIONS. The Training Bundle can be added to cart via the GEAR hyperlink in the Menu Bar and should be purchased at registration.

Practice and Competition Gear is NOT included in the cost of training and/or competition. Custom Kits must be ordered by November 1, 2025.

Does the DC Takedown Club Compete?

Yes! Should your student-athlete be interested in competing, there are a few OPEN events this fall to assist in warming up for the Winter competition season (the SCHEDULE is announced as the events are put on the USA Wrestling and State Association Calendars).  In the Winter, our LEAGUE’s competitive season begins in January and runs thru mid-March.  Matches will take place on Saturdays or Sundays in a variety of locations ranging from Washington, DC to Calvert, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, and St. Charles counties.  

Student-athletes must be four years of age to compete.  Competing is completely optional and secondary to our goal of mastery of wrestling techniques and life skills.  The league schedule is released in December and will be distributed to all families and updated on our Team Snap. As the winter season comes to a close, Freestyle and Greco are introduced and competition will is available for those who choose to continue.  Fees for Competitions do not include training. 

There are two Weigh-Ins - one will take place between mid-December 2025 and the first week in January 2026 and the second in March of 2026. Dates and Locations are generally announced at the beginning of December.

Is there a Fee to Compete and When is it Due?

Yes. The SMJWL Competition Fee helps cover student athlete registration into the league, insurance, and event host site expenses. This Fee is due on December 1, 2026.

What Do the DC Takedown Club Wrestlers Wear When Competing?

All Competing DC Takedown Club Members are required to compete in a DCTC issued Compression Tee and Fight Truck or a Singlet. Competing Wrestlers must purchase the DCTC Competition Bundle which includes a Warm-Up (Top + Bottom), two Singlets, and a Back Pack. The Training Bundle can be added to the cart here or via the GEAR hyperlink in the Menu Bar.

Practice and Competition Gear is NOT included in the cost of training and/or competition. Custom Kits must be ordered by November 1, 2025.

What is the DC Takedown Club Uniform Policy?

All members of the DC Takedown Club are required to wear DC Takedown Club Issued Gear for training competitive meets.  Members of the team must wear their proper uniform from arrival to departure of the respective event.  The uniform includes a warm-up, two-piece competition top and bottom, crew neck tee, and bag.  Some members of the team already have a few of these items.  Any item that your student-athlete is missing, can be ordered. 

Mandatory for All Participants

Compression Training Tee (2) + Fighter Shorts

Mandatory for All Competitors

Warm-Up - Zip-up + Track Pant  + Singlet (2) + Back Pack 

*Our Club will not switch uniforms for at least three seasons (thru June 2027). If your Student Athlete’s current gear fits, you will NOT need to purchase new item unless you wanted additional training and competition items.

What is the Required Time Commitment?

Mastering Wrestling Technique for competition or otherwise is a time commitment.  Because of this, occasional personal sacrifices may sometimes have to be made.  This is not to say that wrestling must consume your lifestyle, or that travel and other activities are not allowed.  We do realize; however, that the more mat time, the more confident and comfortable your student-athlete will be on and off the mat.  Parents are expected to mark their child as ATTENDING or NOT ATTENDING for all scheduled training, competition, service projects, and any other events listed in the TEAM SNAP APP communication.  

What Does Training Entail?

Training includes strength, flexibility, drilling, and on occasion live application.  Visualization of skills and intentional improvement habits are incorporated into every session.  Please do your best to have your student-athlete at practice on-time and ready to work.  Coaches will need to be notified of early dismissal needs.  We reserve the right to cancel training as we deem necessary.  Please keep in mind that the training calendar and payment schedule are based on 44 Weeks a year.  We will not charge extra tuition if we decide to train extra and we will not charge you less if we deem it necessary to give the wrestlers time off (this includes emergency closings, holidays, etc). 

Does the DC Takedown Club Train All Year Round?

Yes. Our base training season is September through June and we offer training throughout the summer months.

What About Injuries and Illness?

Injuries are part of wrestling.  Our staff is safety certified and up-to-date on safety techniques.  Our number one goal is to create the best and most safe environment for learning.  Injuries can happen anytime we involve motion, speed, and impact.  If your wrestler becomes injured, the coaching staff needs to be kept informed on the rehabilitation process for safe return to activities.  Injured student-athletes are encouraged to continue to attend sessions, learn, and build community with teammates.  

If an injury requires emergency care, the parents will be called immediately.  The paramedics may be called depending on the severity of the injury.  Coaches will process an injury report, and follow up with parents regarding the injury.  All team coaches are USAW Safety, CPR, and First Aid Certified.  During competition, the parents will be asked to the competition mat ONLY if an injury is severe and immediate medical attention is required.

Does the DC Takedown Club Fundraise?

Yes. As a participating family in the DC Takedown Club, you and your student-athlete will be required to participate in one (1) of two (2) available team fundraisers.  These fundraisers will take place between October and March.  

Does the DC Takedown Club Require Volunteerism and Community Service?

Yes, All families must volunteer to work at least two (2) competitions as table workers (Home or Away), set-up/breakdown, admissions, concessions, and parking.  We have a collaborative agreement with each of the clubs we visit and compete against and many times Parent Volunteers from the visiting clubs are asked to hop in and help keep score.  In some instances the host team has the tables covered, as a backup we want to be prepared to support each event as a club. 

The DC Takedown Club participates in Project Giveback’s Thanksgiving Basket Assembly taking place each year at the DC Armory on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  This year the event will be held on the 22nd of November 2025 at 730am.  Volunteers convene to assemble over 5000 food baskets that are stacked, wrapped, and loaded onto trucks for families in our community.  The DC Takedown Club conducts a Basket Distribution later in the afternoon on the 22dnd for its families to pick up food items to make the holiday less stressful financially.  

Does the DC Takedown Club host an End of Year Banquet?

Yes. At the end of the winter DC Takedown Season, we will host an end of the year Banquet to celebrate the student-athlete’s many accomplishments.  More details will be provided as the season gets underway. All Family Members are invited to join us. A contribution of $30 per family is requested to cover food and beverage.