Mistakes
You will make mistakes. If you can learn from your mistakes, you will get better every time you step on the mat.
If you know you have made a mistake, and can correct it, correct it quickly.
Some mistakes you can not correct, such as an inadvertent whistle. Let the wrestlers, and both coaches know that it was an inadvertent whistle, apologize, and inform all parties how it will be handled. If you admit your mistakes, coaches will realize you know how to get it right.
If you are calling stalling for a specific action, such as backing up, be consistent with the call. Call it that way the entire day. Ask other officials, and even coaches for their opinion, and if you think it was a mistake to call it that way, change it latter. Coaches can still coach their wrestlers if you are consistent, even if you are consistently wrong.
Coaches
The best way to deal with coaches is prevention. As a head official, you will be meeting with the coaches before any wrestling starts. Give them clear expectations.
Points of emphasis.
Please coach the wrestlers, not the officials.
Please follow bench decorum.
Please approach the table with all questions, but keep in mind that questioning judgment calls is not allowed.
If you have a problem with, or praise for an official, please bring it to the head official’s attention.
Coaches do not have the right to yell at you, but they will. Ignore the need to react, and do your job managing the situation. You have the penalty chart at your disposal, however keeping your cool, and giving the coach a chance to settle down without adding fuel to the fire can get you out of a bad situation. Remember, every time a coach is yelling, you should take what he is saying to heart. Stick the coaches’ comments in your back pocket, and think about them when you have more time. If you wait till the end of the competition, you may be able to talk to the coach, confirm his point of view, and let him know you will keep that in mind.
Coaches want to know what you are thinking, so they will ask you questions. If you can give a coach an answer (Not related to judgment calls) even if it is not the answer they want, they will appreciate it.
A coach may disapprove of you stopping an action that is potentially dangerous, but you will never fight a lawsuit for keeping a wrestler from being injured.
Making a tough call.
Stalling is one of the toughest calls in wrestling. You have to be able to recognize it when it is happening, and be willing to make the call. You will be able to tell when stalling is occurring, but will you be able to make the call. I have no great advice hear other than be consistent.
You will find that as you are evaluating maneuvers, that there are golden windows of opportunities to get a call right. Unfortunately it is easy to let that moment pass, and regret it immediately. It can get to late to make a call. If you spend too much time second guessing yourself, you will miss the golden window. Make the call.
Mechanics.
Practice your hand signals in a mirror. This is an old chart, and does not include the signal for start blood time.
Get a stopwatch, and practice your count for near fall points.
Always strive to improve.
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Good post Mark, I look forward to you providing feedback on specfic rules which get questioned throughout the season. - Billy
ReplyDeleteSomething I learned in officiating basketball, yes I was in college and it was a strange time, is to have confidence in your calls. Good calls, bad calls, tough calls and no calls are accepted better by all if you do it with authority and confidence. If you are slightly unsure just sell it like you know it. Coaches can sense when you are indifferent and will feed on that like a shark in a chum pool. I agree, stalling can be a sticky call to make, I hate being the determining factor in a match and wish all matches were decided by the wrestlers but know sometimes encouragement is needed..
ReplyDeleteSean, you hit the nail on the head. Even if you are not confident in your call, at least make it in such a way that everyone thinks you are. Sell every call.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark. M.Burchette
ReplyDeleteI can piggy back off of Sean. Being an official of softball up through H.S. the most important thing to keep in mind is no matter what call you make, it will almost always be the right call if you sell the call when you make it. And if you screw up admit your kicked the call. You will receive more respect from coaches, spectators and participants when you do. Bobby B.
ReplyDeleteBobby and Sean's comments are exactly what I am looking for. If this were being graded, they would get an A
ReplyDeleteis it posting now judo. it was not posting but bottom line is consistancy, being confident without being cocky and be able to admitt your mistakes and correct them if possible.
ReplyDeleteAnother great post, Mark. Hitting in on the head. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGood post Mark - Bob Lax
ReplyDeleteThat really helped alot! Thanks
ReplyDeleteGreat tips!
ReplyDelete-Joe H.
Fantastic advice!!
ReplyDeleteVery insightful, thanks Mark!
ReplyDelete-Andrew Moody
Confidence in your calls comes with experience. When your getting started take all the mat time you can get! Volunteer to to do wrestle offs for the teams in your area.
ReplyDeleteIt is very important for you to practice your count. When you get on the mat your count will speed up due to the excitement, but if you have practiced you will find the correct speed.
Very useful information. Will you be able to provide handouts during the meeting with this info as it would be helpful to be able to review again, and again....... Bill C. and Cullen C.
ReplyDeleteThe info will always be available right here.
ReplyDeleteIs a formal conflict resolution class needed or you just learn better ways to conduct yourself as you go?
ReplyDeleteWe will discuss conflict resolution, but the best beat is to prevent the conflict in the first place. Anytime there is a close judgment call, someone is going to disagree. It is how you conduct yourself when the call comes in question that keeps you out of trouble.
ReplyDeleteAs you will find out, it is coaches misconduct to question a judgment call. A quick reminder of the fact, or an official warning can come with an explanation. Sometimes coaches just want to know you understand their point of view.
Great information.
ReplyDeleteGreat info, Mark, thanks!
ReplyDeleteDave Goren