Study guide.

In studying for my open book examination, I find the following points important to note. Please add your discussion points as comments to the Blog.

1. The rear standing double knee kickback is illegal.
2. Suitable undergarments are required for weigh-ins.
3. Communicable skin conditions are a major concern.
4. The offensive wrestler must come set before the official will say set.
5. If it looks like a concussion don't take a chance, have him cleared by an appropriate health care                  professional.
6. Random draw takes place right after weigh-ins.
7. Net weight is required.
8. Head coach should verify that all wrestlers are ready to wrestle.
9. 45 minutes between matches
10. Record conclusion time of every match.
11. Teams should designate captains before a dual.
12. A dual meet is a series of matches from all 14 weight classes.
13. A coach may not use electronic devices to amplify his voice.
14. The outer circle should be at least 28 feet.
15. Everyone on the bench is covered by bench decorum.
16. The coach can approach the mat during charged time outs, and end of match.
17. Unsportsmanlike behavior by a spectator does not cost a team point.
18. The bench should be 10 feet from the mat, and score table during a dual meet.
19. Home management removes unsportsmanlike spectators.
20. All persons affiliated with the team are subject to the rules and will be governed by the officials decisions.
21. The coach can approach the table to discus rule misapplications.
22. Two team personnel are permitted at the edge of the mat.
23. F r the end-of-match procedure the assistant referee should be on the backside of the wrestling area observing.
24. The assistant referee does not communicate with coaches.
25. The referee has the authority to rule on anything not covered by the rules.
26. Stopping potential dangerous holds before they become illegal is preferable.
27. The state can approve the use of an artificial limb.
28. The referee approves all special equipment, which includes eye wear.
29. The referee approves all special equipment.
30. A designated meet physician can exam before, or after weigh-ins.
31. You have to make weight.
32. If there is only one scale, you can step on, off, and on again to ensure there is no mechanical or electronic inaccuracy. If there is more than one scale, you can try each scale.
33. The 2 pound growth allowance can be added after the date of certification.
34. Any authorized person of the same gender can supervise weigh-ins.
35. One scale is required for weigh-ins, but it is nice to have multiple scales.
36. Weigh-ins for duals should occur a maximum of one hour before competition, tournaments should be a maximum of two hours.
37. When a supporting part of both wrestlers is out of bounds, wrestling should be stopped.
38. The hands are supporting parts.
39. Supporting parts bear weight.
40. When a supporting part of both wrestlers is out of bounds, wrestlers are out of bounds.
41. It is impossible for for the defensive wrestler to earn a fall after a technical fall has been earned by the offensive wrestler.
42. A fall earns 6 team points in a dual. A tech fall earns 5.
43. A fall always terminates wrestling.
44. Defensive pins are possible.
45. There is a silent two second count for a fall.
46. some part of both scapula or shoulders must be in bounds for a fall to occur.
47. Back points are awarded when the defensive wrestler achieves a clearly defensible position.
48. A fall always terminates wrestling.
49.  You must have control to earn near fall points.
50. Back points are awarded when the defensive wrestler achieves a clearly defensible position.
51. Back points are earned when the defensive wrestler is in a high bridge, on his elbows, or within three inches of the mat.
52. Two count equals two points, five count equals 3 points.
53. Both feet on the line is a good start.
54. Head should be over the center of the body on offensive starts.
55. You can not straddle the opponent on any offensive start.
56. Establish eye contact with the score table on every start.
57. competition between two individuals of as nearly equal weight as possible is a match.
58. To receive a forfeit, you must be in uniform.
59. Spectators, coaches, and competitors should be able to see the match score.
60. A margin of 1-7 is a decision. A margin of 8-14 is a major decision. A margin of 15 points or more is a tech-fall.
61. Contact is to be maintained through-out a match with a visually handicapped person.
62. Offensive starting position can be on the left, or right.
63. If a second injury time is taken at the end of the first period, the opponent will have choice at the start of the second, and third.
64. The wrestler who has choice in the first tie breaker may choose top bottom or defer.
65. A lack of action at the edge can be restarted.
66. The referee must stop the match for injuries.
67. When penalizing a defensive wrestler for stalling, you do not stop the wrestlers.
68. Time to correct legal equipment is counted as injury time.
69. A referee should make a determination of how much time has expired when there is a timing error.
70. Points scored during bad time do not count.
71. Incorrect choice of starting positions can be bad time.
72. Wrestlers wrestling in the wrong position is bad time.
73. A twisting knee lock is ilegal.
74. Potentially dangerous holds can become illegal.
75. Forcing a body part to the limit of normal range of motion is potentially dangerous.
76. An overhead, double-arm bar is illegal.
77. It is a stalemate if neither wrestler can improve his position.
78. If both wrestlers are wrestling aggressively, then stalling should not be called.
79. If overpowered, the defensive wrestler is not stalling.
80. Use of tobacco products by a coach is Flagrant misconduct and does not require a warning.
81. Unsportsmanlike conduct can occur before, during, or after a match.
82. If a coach argues misapplication of a rule, and the referee decides there was no misapplication, then he will be charged with coaches misconduct. If a coach is being abusive it is unsportsmanlike.
83. A disqualification for stalling does not disqualify a wrestler from further competition in a tournament.
84. Unsportsmanlike does not require a warning.
85. Penalties and warnings accumulate throughout matches.
86. Penalty points are always awarded in accordance with the penalty chart.
87. Unsportsmanlike penalties carry over in multi-day events.
88. After two warnings, all false starts are a one point penalty. You can not be disqualified for false starts.
89. Coaching is allowed during injury time outs.
90. There is a total of 1.5 minutes of injury time per match.
91. If a second injury time out is taken, the opponent gets choice of starting position on the restart.
92. Matches are always stopped for bleeding.
93. A wrestler injured by an illegal hold is entitled to two minutes of recovery time.
94. Time used to replace a contact is up to the discretion of the official. It may be called as injury time.
95. A wrestlers coach can forfeit a match at any time.
96. If the second injury time is taken at the conclusion of the first period, the opponent will have choice at the beginning of the second, and third period.
97. For injury time two team attendants and an appropriate health care professional shall be permitted on the mat.
98. If bleeding can not be controlled within 5 minutes, there is a disqualification.
99. There are no videotape reviews.
100. Forfeits count as a match for the 5 matches per day rule.

Making a commitment.

I love coaching. Over the past couple of seasons, I have straddled the fence with coaching and officiating, but you truly can not do both effectively. I enjoy being able to pop in and out of practices, show a couple of things, and not be responsible for being at every minute of every practice. Once Summer arrives, I can more thoroughly enjoy the push of making every practice with our national teams without feeling burnt out. I often act in supporting rolls with our National teams doing plenty of behind the scenes work.
     This past season I tried to make the firm switch from coaching to officiating. I still helped train with our national teams, popped in on Middle school practices, but when it came to competition times, I was rarely in the corners. I spent this last year inside the circles. I gained a ton of experience this past year, upgraded my rankings with USA wrestling, and enjoyed doing it. With all this said, I was still straddling the fence in my mind.
     Over the Summer I talked to a couple of coaches about positions at there schools, and even interviewed for one of them. I did not get the jobs due to displaced teachers filling the positions I was up for. In the mean time, I have been contacted by the head official for USA Preseason Nationals, and asked to officiate at the end of October. I just about have myself totally convinced to make the commitment to officiating, and do my coaching as a hobby. I still coach Girl's Soccer, and I am expending more energy in that direction.
I have been studying my rule book, and casebook, and look forward to officiating some folkstyle. My GHSA group, MAWOA starts training next month, and I look forward to seeing everyone at the meetings, and putting my thumbs away for a little while. I will be attending the GWCA meeting and rules clinic on the 25th at Parkview.
     If you are wrestling at Lithia Springs this weekend, I will be giving a Freestyle rules clinic and the girls will have an opportunity to wrestle some freestyle matches. I am sure we can find time to fit in some boys matches as well.
     Lets get the ball rolling.