Junior Duals.

An officials life at Junior Duals.

Pay=0

Benefit=Education, Evaluation, possible promotion to higher level. Increase in pay=0

Why go as an official? Best seat in the house.

Most of the state associations pay the officials a stipend for attending the National tournaments. I received $100 for representing the state of Georgia.

I received advice, reviews, and education from many of the top officials in the United States, and worked shoulder to shoulder with officials from all over the United States who were doing the same.

I got to doge the attacks of many of the best wrestlers in the U.S. without ever having the fear of being attacked myself.

I trained with Team Georgia's Junior teams, and called several wrestle-offs.

I traveled by bus with Team Georgia to, and from the event even though I was unable to watch them compete in the event. We even survived a blow out on the highway.

I officiated the 3rd place match for Greco, which I am glad to say that our neighbors to the south won, but had to leave before freestyle finals.

I will go again next year.

Here is what it is like for me.
I get dropped off after a 14 hour bus ride.
I find out where we are being housed, and wait to check in.
I unpack, and walk to the local store to buy some drinks, and a belt that I forgot for the second year in a row. (I think I have 6 black belts now, and I don't even do Karate).
I attend a clinic where we are introduced to any rules that are specific to the current event, and have a general rules review.
We have a clinic before every session, and review anything that is observed, or that coaches are complaining about.
Sessions are two or three duals long, and we have three per day.
We work through fatigue, and lack of sleep to concentration at a high level. We do the best we can to maintain excellent position on the mat and get every point scored correctly.
As a judge we give options that are possible so that the chairman can make final decisions on difficult situations.
As Chairmen, we keep things organized, and make final decisions when called upon.
We work long, hard hours, and try to learn, and have fun while we are doing it.

It is by far my favorite tournament, and I hope to return every year.