Proper Mechanics Part 1 ? Start of match and Takedowns


We are at the start of the post season tournaments. How do you know if a referee at this level is doing a good job? Well, it really is all about proper mechanics. In my referee classes that I teach, I tell my students to always be a duck. If you walk like a duck, and quack like a duck and look like a duck, people will naturally think you are a duck. Same way with being an referee. If you are doing the things that make you look like you are a referee people will believe you are.

When I watch a match, I very rarely watch the action of the wrestlers, I am usually watching the mechanics of the referee. Very quickly, I can tell if he is a duck or not.

Next time you watch a referee work, watch his mechanics. Be it high school or college, that referee will very clearly will show you his ?feathers?.

One other point, you may not agree with all a referee?s calls, but if his mechanics are correct, you can be assured, he knows what he is doing.


Proper Wrestling Officiating Mechanics
o Signals - clear and complete for all rulings
o Position - optimum location to see what is required to make a ruling
o 1st Rule ? Hustle! 2nd Rule ? Hustle! 3rd Rule ? Hustle
o 2nd Rule ? Anticipate! Anticipate the action. Always be in position for the action to come to you. Credibility of rulings increases from optimum, stationary positions
o Don?t anticipate the call, anticipate the move. That sounds like a contradiction, but it?s not. If you can ?feel? what?s coming and adjust your position or your visual focus on the right area, you?ll see the action better and you'll have a much better opportunity to make a correct call.

Prior to Match
o Arrive hour prior/Dressed appropriately
o Proper Pre-Meet
o Communicate with table
o Assign right colors
o G/R in book
o Chairs matside?
o How will tappers work? 4-3-2-1 Time!

Start of match
o Correct wrestlers?
o Eye contact with timer
o Start in close
o Whistle & Motion all in one
o Don?t create false starts
o Look for Visible Lean
o Back out quick ? Be prepared for a quick shot
o Angles/Angles/Angles

Signals - Points
o Clear, High and Rotate
o Use Approved Signals
o Don?t Look at Table!
o Maintain Focus
o Check Table / Scoreboard after every period

Neutral Position
o Centered looking between wrestlers
o Angles lie
o Move laterally ahead of attack

Takedowns - Single Leg Attack
o Cross Face - front side, see face
o Hands - front side, see hands / fingers
o Front Trip - side, see top contact
o Back Trip - back side, action comes to you
o Lace finish - back side, see whizzer or cross leg control

Takedowns - Double Leg Attack
o Cross Face - front side, see face
o Deep shots on mat - side view to see:
o Control
o Locked hands around back
o Imminent near fall
o Crotch / body lock lift effectiveness

Takedowns - Front Head Locks
o Change level as low as required, possibly down on mat
o Location of lock / forearm
o Inclusion of arm
o Side without arm included
o See any contact / pressure on the neck

Takedowns ? Other types
o Duck Under ? Anticipate where the throw might go.
o Drags ? Don?t get out of position if it goes away from you
o Ankle picks ? Don?t get in too close
o Front trips ? Don?t let then trip into you, get further back
o Back Trips ? Don?t let them trip so far away you can?t see everything
o Spaghetti Wrestling ? Hold your call! Let it finish
o Position yourself different for middle of mat versus line calls

Next week we will look at the 2nd and 3rd period starts and referee position.

To be prepared against surprise is to be trained. To be prepared for surprise is to be educated.

About the author, Fredrick Feeney: Fred, a long time Ohio wrestling official, is a member of the CDWOA, the CWOA and the NWOA, and is a moderator on several popular wrestling discussion forums. Fred's in-depth experience encompasses both scholastic and collegiate levels, having culminated with numerous assignments at the OHSAA State Tournament and NCAA Division II and III Championship finals. Fred and his wife reside in Dublin, Ohio.

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