I was wanting to get POSITIVE feed back on things that you really like when you go to a specific tournament.
Examples:
Chairs in the corners for coaches
Hospitality rooms
Satellite weigh ins
Certain awards
ECT ECT ECT

I personally like when a tournament has ppl walking thru the crowd to make sure people in the stands have clear view of the mats and the mat edges are kept clear!

satellite weigh ins, chairs 2 chairs in corners for 2 coaches only, security making sure edges of mats are clear for the people in the stands to see

I enjoyed when the first row of the bleachers were kept clear for coaches and on deck wrestlers. Satellite weigh ins too.

Definitely satellite weigh ins. Saves a lot of time for families coming from a distance. Chairs in the corners, not a big deal, I like to be at ground level. Seems like I never have time to go the hospitality room, but I know a lot of others judge a tournament by it. Most important, START ON TIME. I know this is close to impossible do to scratches and changes, but it helps. Keep things running smoothly if that's possible. Hope this helps.

Attentive table workers.
Pre-banded wrestlers that are on deck (red/green ankle bamds)
No gate admission. (re-cooped in concessions)
Efficient concession line i.e. drinks 1 line/food in another.
Clear doorways.
Clearamce around mats...(mat police)
Brackets posted/updated if possible---Results posted to KS board.
Mat sanitizer floormats after kids have walked all over (incl. bathroom) at mat side.
Coaches NOT to wear outside shoes all over mats.
Like remote weigh-ins (requires Honesty) & the integrity of skin & nail check. You might think skin & nails are a given but aren't!
Tidy tournament. Trash cans available. Littering spectators banned from the next 5 tournaments, Incl. tob. chew/containers - (ha!)
Enjoy clubs that customize their awards/medals vs. standard issue. For example Fredonia's SEK Classic used to be the state of KS with wrestlers & location noted on medal. Columbus had the ship medal. Linn County has a twister medal.

I really like satellite weigh-ins. Honesty is a must but then again I would hope that we could trust those in charge of clubs to be honest.

Well from a mom's point of view my top five:

1. Start on time
2. Good ref's
3. Attentive table workers
4. Concession stand ran by adults
5. Clean Bathrooms

I have to say as a parent who is only in their second year of wrestling but did alot of tournaments last year big things that i liked and saw that worked good was like some other people said cleardoorways / clearance around the mats / being able to see the numbers for matches/ signs for weigh ins/ brackets being posted and knowing where the brackets are / tables staying on track of everything i know from working our tournaments this year both times that it is challenging and alot of work and i thank the people who take the time every weekend so our children can do this cause i am now a wrestling mom and my 6 yr old cant wait for wrestling to come i am sure we will be in this sport for many more years to come.

1.)Satellite weight ins sure help out the pocket book.
2.)Chairs in the coaches corner
3.)I wish we could figure out a way to keep people from standing around the mats.

The issue of keeping the mat sides clear is definitely alleviated by policing. It is also important to note that just good old fashion common courtesy goes a long way in helping with this as well. I know when my wrestler is on a mat at the opposite end of the gym, I always leave the stands. If the stands are full at the other end or if I would have to displace a lot of people to get a place to sit, I will stand mat side. I am always careful to position myself so as not to block anyone else’s view. I appreciate when people show me that same courtesy, so I pass it on. For the most part, I don’t feel people are trying to be uncaring; sometimes you just get caught up in the excitement!

I think policing the mat side is important also and I know you can't please everyone and then you get those people on here that call you the mat nazi or something...
That can be a touchy subject!! Lol

LOL...indeed, they all seem to end up being touchy subjects!! Again, courtesy by spectators as well as those in charge of policing is vital.

Very True. What about a rope around the mat and a sign that says "Sit your butt down!" That would keep line of sight to the stands open! Just Kidding.

I have to agree if your by the mat i think it is just what you should do sit down or take a knee i have seen at some matches they say it over the speaker but i record most every match he is in so i am always sitting on the ground anyways so i can get it.

Another weekend in the books...
Anymore best practices out there?

If some mats get done early and are open, start moving matches to the empty mats. Maybe get people out of there a little earlier. Now if the empty mats are 6 and under and wrestling a quarter mat, don't go throwing 14 year old kids on it!

I like this, the its hard to get people to move or sit, everyone thinks they have a right to stand ane watch either their wrestler or a wrestler from their club. I really think an area should be marked off like a parameter around the mats and only allow athorized people around the mats. I don't know the tournaments I have been to have all had this problem. even when annocments are made people either ignore them or dont care.

I think my biggest thin is KNOW THE SIZE OF YOUR FACILITY.

So many tournament problem stem from over crowding. It comes down to making money for the club, but it also is clubs getting greedy.

It makes for a long day and really it isn't safe.

Most of all my bad experiences stem from over booking the tournament and over crowding.

Will anyone run a perfect tourn. not in the eyes of many people, but there are lots of clubs that run great tourns... Making people happy in todays world is almost next to impossible...

When you run a tournament or your club runs a tournament and you want certain things done, accomplished, and respected by others you shall respect other clubs in return... It truly goes both ways...

Lynsey

Well I look at running a tournament like being part of the service industry...
There has to be value for the money!
Courtesy from the host!
And a great atmosphere!

The main reason for this thread was to get ideas to take our tournament to the next level.
I'm hoping to be able to take a large part of this list to our club and say this is what they want now let's make it happen!
Keep the comments coming PLEASE! Then keep your eyes open for some exciting news that we are trying to finalize for our OPEN tournament on Jan 15th!!