Proper (high school) Wrestling Officiating Mechanics Part 3


This is Part 3 of 3 on the series on proper mechanics. Watch the very best officials be it college or high school and will see the proper mechanics being used from the first match to the last.
When asked how do I keep the same tempo through a match or a tournament, I do this: Before every match, I look at the crowd and I pick one person, doesn?t matter who it is, but to me?that is the person who I imagine is not only is evaluating me, but ?can on the spot? give me the D1?s or the State Tournament, or whatever, based on how I referee this one match. If you make every match that ?one match? you will always be in top form.

Spaghetti Wrestling

? When is control gained? You better know the right criteria.
? Know the criteria ? Enough said.
? Verbalize ? Still Neutral! Let everyone know what you are seeing.
? Be decisive. All part of selling the call
? Don?t Panic ? You will see it and know instinctually what to do at the right time.
? Don?t listen but don?t tune them out ? The coaches might just help you by them seeing something you don?t. Get into the right position.
? Be in the Proper Position ? Worse thing is to be out of position and try and sell a call.
? Sell the call!!! See all the above!

Resolving ConflictDealing with Coaches

? Know the criteria better than any coach
? Listening skills ? Learn them and use them
? Flexibility ? Adapt and Adjust
? Willingness to change ? Understand you may be wrong!
? Agree to disagree ? Can?t win them all
? Eye contact ? Look the coach in the eye when you talk with him
? Don?t interrupt ? Give him his turn
? Know the rules ? You are the expert, act like it
? Who had the best angle? Were you in proper position?
? Understand what occurred ? Play it over in your mind?s eye
? There are always consequences ? Have courage to do the right thing
? Let the rules work for you ? Knowing the rules better than anyone is strong medicine.
? Make your own call ? Don?t be bullied by anyone.
? Be Consistent!

Proper Use of Assistants

? Why? To get it right
? Extra eyes/ears/mouth/brain
? 51% to 49% - The lead is the voice
? First on, Last off ? Go to top of mat and see what occurs before and after
? Stay in the match/ No arms folded or in pockets
? 180 from the lead
? Stay outer circle
? Know the choices
? Neutral Position
? Clock start?
? Don?t block table
? Stay out of the way
? Catch but be ready
? Circle and close in during spaghetti
? Circle in and to head for falls/Keep standing
? Out of bounds? Catch Correctly Back/Side
? Front Head locks ? Open to your side?
? Fig 4 ? Scissors
? Know when to step in and stop match
? Line Calls ? What did you see? Simple stuff
? Falls ? Stay up
? Watch clock
? Be prepared for when time was out
? Second Period/Third Periods
? Refresh lead ref with cautions/warnings
? Know choice/Keep choice
? Stalling/Communicate if needed
? Don?t agree? Move away and talk
? Agree to disagree
? Great call? Tell him/Nod
? Second Period/Third Periods
? Refresh lead ref with cautions/warnings
? Know choice/Keep choice
? Stalling/Communicate if needed
? Don?t agree? Move away and talk
? Agree to disagree
? Great call? Tell the lead/Nod

End of Match Procedures

? Declare Match Over
? Keep Both Wrestlers in View
? Good Handshake/Raise Hand
? Hesitate a bit before going to table if alone
? Assistant to top of mat
? Check Score/ Circle Winner/Fall/Bout time

Summary

? Anticipate the action
? Work hard mentally, maintain Focus
? Know what?s coming
? Always consider priorities
? Arrive ahead of the action
? Know where to be
? Announce and signal clearly
? 5 P?s - Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
? Be smooth
? Be in Control
? Be Confident


CLEAR rulings, from GOOD POSITIONS, compliment the credibility of all calls.
Rulings from poor positions, or delays, as you ?chase? the action, compromise the credibility of correct calls.

Be a duck!

If you walk like a duck and quack like a duck and look like a duck, people will think you are a duck. Same with being a referee. Act like one, look like one and people will think you are one!

Perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things, but in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

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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