In the continuation of this series on proper mechanics, officials should strive to work on the proper mechanic on calling a match, versus their ?own style?. There is room for ?personal style? but not at the expense of proper mechanics. 2nd Period - 3rd Period ? Have a system to know proper choices ? Flip and let the disk hit ? Don?t catch it ? Kneel to pick it up (saves your back) ? Verbalize so the table and both teams know who chooses what ? Do it same way every time ? Double check with table ? Know 3rd period choice with your system Starts - Referees Position ? Clear Directions: Bottom, top, or optional ? Bottom: see lines ? get the right angle ? Top: Feet location ? get the right angle ? Top: contact ? get the right angle (see a theme here?) ? Move to see what you need to see when you need to see it ? Establish a proper cadence ? Motion & Whistle as one action. Don?t cause a false start because of your own actions First Moves ? Near side arm chop ? Be on the near side ? Legs In ? Get on the open side ? Merkle ? Understand what it is and when control is established ? Three Quarters ? Be aware of the turn and ready for the fall ? Switch - far side. Don?t chase the tail. They go right, you go left. ? Scramble / Crawl - either side, not in front ? Optional starts ? Angles!!! If you don?t have the proper angle, one of the coaches will. Sit Outs ? Hands, Fingers - front or side. Watch for pull backs ? Snap back to near fall ? side ? Turn in ? side Control Position ? Standing ? Safety first ? How will the fall be broke when brought to the mat? ? Hands - front or side ? Can the bottom kid protect himself? ? Back Trip ? side position ? Front Trip ? side position ? Watch for the Whizzer or?Whiz. What?s the difference? Cradles ? Cradles happen ? watch the hands ? be in the correct position ? Roll Through - front position ? Straight back ? back position ? Inside shoulder - from top looking down ? Top and Side Views Blocked - Try rear view, up spine Bottom Position ? Sit outs ? Locked Hands? Stall? ? Stand Ups ? Reverse? ? Switches ? Re-switch possible? ? Granby's ? Back points? Who checks who? ? Optional Starts ? Turn in? Angles! Pinning Combinations ? Arm Bars, Half Nelsons ? Close enough to protect bottom wrestler ? Ahead of turn to see criteria ? Consider rotating in opposite direction ? Keep it legal! Blair Tilts? ? Guillotines ? Close enough to protect bottom wrestler ? Audible count ? Visible, Audible Signals ? Every time near fall criteria is met and lost ? Proper 2 seconds Out of Bounds/Line Calls ? Apply all of the above and be in the right position ? Be there ahead of the action. Much easier to sell a call when you are in the proper position. ? Straddle the line and then catch only if you need to. ? One of the worst times to be ?late? in getting into position. ? Focus first on supporting points ? Feet will move, control will not disappear ? Preferably, award any points earned prior to out of bounds signal ? Keep wrestlers in view coming back Next week we will focus on dealing with pins, tough calls and tough coaches. Treat every match as if your entire career is based on this one match? s evaluation. 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.