Saturday, November 28, 2009
Picking up scraps.
Today I went to watch the Butchers choice duals at Grayson. It is only a few minutes from my house, so I took my uniform with me just in case. Johnny Stalings was the first official to show up so I told him I had my stuff with me if he needed me. Unfortunately for Johnny, he had not fully recovered from heart surgery, and asked me to take over for him after the second dual. He managed to work 5 duals on Wednesday at Parkview, but he was obviously tired. Most of the teams at the tournament did not have full line-ups. Shiloh and grayson may have been the only teams with a full line-up. Grayson actually had a team one, and team two in the tournament. I enjoy working duals because you get a better feel for the teams. You get a sense of what they might do and therefore are able to put yourself in better position to call the matches. I got to call a couple of matches with Shiloh, and a couple with Grayson. The managers for both of these teams did a great job, and helped make my job easier. There is nothing better than cooperative managers. I made a few stalling calls, but there were a number of wrestlers who were not in top shape at the tournament. Wrestling should start getting even better next week. I am not booked again till 12/8, but I will not go anywhere without my gear just in case. Next weekend, I am going to watch the Panther. Jackson County does a great job on the finals, and I am looking forward to it.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Up the creek without a paddle.
On the 24th, and 25th I had the pleasure of being the head official at Mill Creeks up the creek JV tournament. There were over 400 wrestlers in the tournament. We officiated from 5pm till after 11:30 on Tuesday, and started back up at 9:00am on Wednesday. I know how hard that is on wrestlers, parents and coaches, but let me tell you without a little aleve I might not have made it through. Honestly, you would think that walking around on a soft wrestling mat would feel great, but it really makes your feet sore. The knees and legs take a beating also. My point is an old man like me(even though a run about 6 miles a week) still gets mighty sore officiating a long tournament. Unlike a lot of other activities, my body does not seem to be adjusting and developing a tolerance, or different level of conditioning. Oh well it is probably just old age creeping in at a higher rate.
Besides soreness, maintaining a high level of concentration late into the night with matches constantly coming your way is a difficult task. I find it a little easier to handle than the soreness.
On to the wrestling observations. When I coached in High School I did not have enough wrestlers or coaches to run a JV program. I have very little experience with High School JV. I had 152-160 pounders on my mat all weekend, and the physical development was evident. The wrestling technique was far behind their physical development. I Feel confident I could beat these kids on technique, but would be scared to let one of them get a hold of me. With time, all of the young men who competed this weekend can become strong competitors, and there were a number there that could compete successfully at the Varsity level, and were just one wrestle-off from getting there.
One of the most exciting matches of the day ended up looking like a super32 finals match. There was only one match going on, and everyone surrounded the mat, and the entire crowd in the bleachers was watching. I was not officiating the match, and a controversial call was made in overtime. An extremely well versed coach was arguing a misapplication of the rule, so as head official, I stepped in to help sort things out. As I was approaching the discussion, I realise that the official had called a takedown in overtime. The wrestler had gotten behind and the opposing wrestler's hand had touched the ground. I sent the coaches to the side so that I could talk to the official at the table. 4 other officials who saw the situation joined us. I asked the official one important question. I asked, "When his hand touched the mat do you think he bore weight on it"? After a short pause he said no. We discussed the rule briefly, and he understood that he had a misapplication of the rule. One of the other officials said, well you could have called him for fleeing the mat. I left it up to the mat official to make the right call. He took back the takedown, and let the wrestlers continue wrestling. It went all the way to the final tie breaker to determine the winner, and was quite an exciting match.
Besides soreness, maintaining a high level of concentration late into the night with matches constantly coming your way is a difficult task. I find it a little easier to handle than the soreness.
On to the wrestling observations. When I coached in High School I did not have enough wrestlers or coaches to run a JV program. I have very little experience with High School JV. I had 152-160 pounders on my mat all weekend, and the physical development was evident. The wrestling technique was far behind their physical development. I Feel confident I could beat these kids on technique, but would be scared to let one of them get a hold of me. With time, all of the young men who competed this weekend can become strong competitors, and there were a number there that could compete successfully at the Varsity level, and were just one wrestle-off from getting there.
One of the most exciting matches of the day ended up looking like a super32 finals match. There was only one match going on, and everyone surrounded the mat, and the entire crowd in the bleachers was watching. I was not officiating the match, and a controversial call was made in overtime. An extremely well versed coach was arguing a misapplication of the rule, so as head official, I stepped in to help sort things out. As I was approaching the discussion, I realise that the official had called a takedown in overtime. The wrestler had gotten behind and the opposing wrestler's hand had touched the ground. I sent the coaches to the side so that I could talk to the official at the table. 4 other officials who saw the situation joined us. I asked the official one important question. I asked, "When his hand touched the mat do you think he bore weight on it"? After a short pause he said no. We discussed the rule briefly, and he understood that he had a misapplication of the rule. One of the other officials said, well you could have called him for fleeing the mat. I left it up to the mat official to make the right call. He took back the takedown, and let the wrestlers continue wrestling. It went all the way to the final tie breaker to determine the winner, and was quite an exciting match.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Off and running.
Coach Miranda of Central Forsyth was a great host today. We had great food, good music, excellent volunteers, and some solid wrestling that stayed ahead of schedule. As always during duals, I relied heavily on my score keepers to help me remember who was to report to the table first, and who had choice in the second period. Eventually I will come up with a system to remember, but until then, I will continue to train my score keepers to help.
Cass was the top team for the day, but Gilmmer, West Forsyth, and Central Forsyth were solid as well.
Getting to work with two other top notch officials made it easy to concentrate on my matches. I never worried about what was happening on the other mats because I had confidence in the other officials. When my dual finished early, Nick and I watched Ethan as he slide on his back to get in position to view a pin. He did a wide arc across a large portion of the mat. It was pretty impressive. He must have spent a lot of time in that position as a wrestler. Seriously though I enjoyed his style.
A big shout out for sportsmanship goes out to the Gilmmer 215. He showed great sportsmanship every time I officiated him.
Since we got done early, I meet my son and wife at Collins Hill to watch a dual with Grayson. It was fun to watch as a fan without working, but I do like it much better from the mat.
I got the news that Johnny Stallings had a stent put in his heart. It was a big surprise. My prayers are with him in hopes of a speedy recovery.
My next assignment is Tuesday and Wednesday at Mill Creek for the Up The Creek JV tournament. I am looking forward to it.
Cass was the top team for the day, but Gilmmer, West Forsyth, and Central Forsyth were solid as well.
Getting to work with two other top notch officials made it easy to concentrate on my matches. I never worried about what was happening on the other mats because I had confidence in the other officials. When my dual finished early, Nick and I watched Ethan as he slide on his back to get in position to view a pin. He did a wide arc across a large portion of the mat. It was pretty impressive. He must have spent a lot of time in that position as a wrestler. Seriously though I enjoyed his style.
A big shout out for sportsmanship goes out to the Gilmmer 215. He showed great sportsmanship every time I officiated him.
Since we got done early, I meet my son and wife at Collins Hill to watch a dual with Grayson. It was fun to watch as a fan without working, but I do like it much better from the mat.
I got the news that Johnny Stallings had a stent put in his heart. It was a big surprise. My prayers are with him in hopes of a speedy recovery.
My next assignment is Tuesday and Wednesday at Mill Creek for the Up The Creek JV tournament. I am looking forward to it.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Ready to Rumble
I got a call from Tinsley Baily on Tuesday asking if I could officiate wrestle-offs for Eastside. I gladly excepted with expectations of some great wrestling, and one last warm-up before the season opens on Friday. I am sure I have hit the 200 mark on matches called so far this preseason. I am ready to rumble.
The girls running the matches did a great job, and kept me honest when I awarded an escap to the wrong collor. The wrestle-offs had a wide variety of skill levels, and conditioning levels, so I got to call a variety of matches. There were wrestlers who looked capable of challenging for state titles as well as wrestlers who were in one of their first matches. After wrestling concluded, the coaches called me over to talk to the wrestlers about what an official expects from them. I pointed out a few needed shaves, and haircuts and impressed the need to wrestle aggressively for the entire match. I think you will see a much higher percentage of stalling calls this year, and I don't want wrestlers, or coaches to be caught by surprise.
I will be working some JV duals on Saturday as the head official. I am very anxious to get my first official GHSA 2009-2010 match underway.
On a side note, Eastside is proof that it does not take big money to be successful in wrestling. How many sports do you see it possible to have three current alumni competing at the college level while your high school team practices in the gym lobby.
Thanks for having me out Eastside.
The girls running the matches did a great job, and kept me honest when I awarded an escap to the wrong collor. The wrestle-offs had a wide variety of skill levels, and conditioning levels, so I got to call a variety of matches. There were wrestlers who looked capable of challenging for state titles as well as wrestlers who were in one of their first matches. After wrestling concluded, the coaches called me over to talk to the wrestlers about what an official expects from them. I pointed out a few needed shaves, and haircuts and impressed the need to wrestle aggressively for the entire match. I think you will see a much higher percentage of stalling calls this year, and I don't want wrestlers, or coaches to be caught by surprise.
I will be working some JV duals on Saturday as the head official. I am very anxious to get my first official GHSA 2009-2010 match underway.
On a side note, Eastside is proof that it does not take big money to be successful in wrestling. How many sports do you see it possible to have three current alumni competing at the college level while your high school team practices in the gym lobby.
Thanks for having me out Eastside.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
A little intense.
Last day of preseason training. The MAWOA was at Lambert High School(a new school in Forsyth County)for a preseason USA wrestling tournament. We had a little over twenty officials to cover 4 mats, with about 70 matches per mat. There were very few High School wrestlers involved. I was assigned to be head official on a mat, and had 5 other officials with me. I was told to spend more time teaching and critiquing than officiating, so I only officiated a hand full of matches. When I looked around at the wrestlers on my mat, I saw several state placers, and some returning champs.
As head official, I called the first match of the day. It was a solid match with two talented wrestlers. Unfortunately during the match one of the coaches chose to coach me, by my first name instead of his wrestler, and I was forced to call my first official coaches misconduct. I was kind of hoping to save the first coaches misconduct for Sean Moistner, but it's gone now.
We had some great discussions, and plenty of learning moments throughout the 70+ matches on our mat. We had opportunities to practice positioning, signaling, table communication, and the quick decision making necessary to officiate wrestling. One of the officials on our mat had a tough match, and made several stalling calls. The coaches involved were more than a little frustrated with the calls and voiced there opinions a little too aggressively. Another coaches misconduct call. The official handled the situation very professionally, and did not get emotionally involved in the situation. He explained the call, and I told the coach I would discuss it with the official as well. As the official and I rehashed the match, and he explained what he saw, I agreed with his calls. While we were rehashing the coach who had now settled down came over, and we explained the calls, and even though he was not happy the tension of the match was gone, and he had some coaching points for his wrestler.
The highlight of the day goes to a first time wrestler. One of the Dads asked me if he could have a little brother wrestle his older brother in an exhibition match when we were done. Older Brother was in a finals match for the last official match of the day, and gutted out a tough three period win. He immediately came back out onto the mat to wrestle his much littler brother. We followed all normal match procedures, and it was a blast. Little brother scored about seven takedowns before he finally got the fall over big brother. It was a great way to end the tournament.
As head official, I called the first match of the day. It was a solid match with two talented wrestlers. Unfortunately during the match one of the coaches chose to coach me, by my first name instead of his wrestler, and I was forced to call my first official coaches misconduct. I was kind of hoping to save the first coaches misconduct for Sean Moistner, but it's gone now.
We had some great discussions, and plenty of learning moments throughout the 70+ matches on our mat. We had opportunities to practice positioning, signaling, table communication, and the quick decision making necessary to officiate wrestling. One of the officials on our mat had a tough match, and made several stalling calls. The coaches involved were more than a little frustrated with the calls and voiced there opinions a little too aggressively. Another coaches misconduct call. The official handled the situation very professionally, and did not get emotionally involved in the situation. He explained the call, and I told the coach I would discuss it with the official as well. As the official and I rehashed the match, and he explained what he saw, I agreed with his calls. While we were rehashing the coach who had now settled down came over, and we explained the calls, and even though he was not happy the tension of the match was gone, and he had some coaching points for his wrestler.
The highlight of the day goes to a first time wrestler. One of the Dads asked me if he could have a little brother wrestle his older brother in an exhibition match when we were done. Older Brother was in a finals match for the last official match of the day, and gutted out a tough three period win. He immediately came back out onto the mat to wrestle his much littler brother. We followed all normal match procedures, and it was a blast. Little brother scored about seven takedowns before he finally got the fall over big brother. It was a great way to end the tournament.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Apalachee Middle School Tournament. 11/07/09
As Head official, I held a meeting with all of the wrestlers. The first thing I asked was who is competing for the first time. About 50 kids raised there hands. I was very happy to see the new blood pumping into our sport.
I officiated 100 matches, for free. Raymond Fowler did the same, and Ryan Fowler split time officiating, and leaving for the Hydration test(I talked him into wrestling his Senior season). Craig Bently took up the slack. All of the matches were one minute periods. In the five hours that it took to run the 100 matches I lost 5 pounds due to dehydration. I need to better job of keeping hydrated while I officiate.
There were no coaches conferences, no parents yelling at officials, and no serious injuries. That is what I would call a good day of wrestling.
There was no need to call any unsportsmanlike calls, and the kids did a good job of picking up on the new starting sequence. I think the starting sequence is going to be less of a problem than I thought.
The sportsmanship award of the day goes to a kid from Banks. I did not catch his name, but he wrestled very hard, won all of his matches, and sincerely told all of his opponents good match. He even took the time while he was waiting for an opponent to ask "how are you doing Mr. Official".
I enjoyed this day easily as much as the simulation day for GNWA, or the GNWA College Open.
Opening day is coming up fast.
I officiated 100 matches, for free. Raymond Fowler did the same, and Ryan Fowler split time officiating, and leaving for the Hydration test(I talked him into wrestling his Senior season). Craig Bently took up the slack. All of the matches were one minute periods. In the five hours that it took to run the 100 matches I lost 5 pounds due to dehydration. I need to better job of keeping hydrated while I officiate.
There were no coaches conferences, no parents yelling at officials, and no serious injuries. That is what I would call a good day of wrestling.
There was no need to call any unsportsmanlike calls, and the kids did a good job of picking up on the new starting sequence. I think the starting sequence is going to be less of a problem than I thought.
The sportsmanship award of the day goes to a kid from Banks. I did not catch his name, but he wrestled very hard, won all of his matches, and sincerely told all of his opponents good match. He even took the time while he was waiting for an opponent to ask "how are you doing Mr. Official".
I enjoyed this day easily as much as the simulation day for GNWA, or the GNWA College Open.
Opening day is coming up fast.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Training
There are so many great opportunities for training as an official. I have the fortune of being associated with what I consider to be a very professional group of high school officials(Metro Atlanta Wrestling Officials Association). We have had some informative training sessions as a group, and last night with the cooperation of Bud and Stacey, we had a statewide training session from some of the best National level officials the region has to offer. These are the same guys I have seen at National tournaments for years. The training that our group gave had me well prepared for this statewide event.
I have already officiated a Takedown tournament, simulation matches for GNWA, the GNWA College open, and will be working a Middle School event this weekend. I will also work the Lambert preseason tournament before the high school season starts. I should have close to 200 matches called before the opening day.
I have read the rule book and case book cover to cover 4 times, and studied them thoroughly. I have heard interpretations from our state leaders on how we are going to implement the rules. I am as prepared, and anxious as any wrestler, or coach to get the season started.
The big point is that I am not singular in this experience. There are over 100 officials that have had similar experiences to prepare for this season.
This is the first post from life behind the stripes(the officials shirt). Look for weekly entries with updates from duals and individual matches that I officiate, humorous stories from my experiences, and more about the international styles latter.
I have already officiated a Takedown tournament, simulation matches for GNWA, the GNWA College open, and will be working a Middle School event this weekend. I will also work the Lambert preseason tournament before the high school season starts. I should have close to 200 matches called before the opening day.
I have read the rule book and case book cover to cover 4 times, and studied them thoroughly. I have heard interpretations from our state leaders on how we are going to implement the rules. I am as prepared, and anxious as any wrestler, or coach to get the season started.
The big point is that I am not singular in this experience. There are over 100 officials that have had similar experiences to prepare for this season.
This is the first post from life behind the stripes(the officials shirt). Look for weekly entries with updates from duals and individual matches that I officiate, humorous stories from my experiences, and more about the international styles latter.
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