Good behavior

I was working a large JV tournament this week. I got to work with some great High School kids that worked the tables, and 3 of the 8 mats at the tournament. I called matches with kids from 17 different schools, and worked along side of 9 other officials.

This was the first GHSA event I worked this year, and everyone was more well behaved than normal. One of the big differences between a High School event, and a club/USA event is the fact that these coaches have more on the line than a Dad/coach. There teaching job could be in jeopardy if they act a fool.
It is not just the relationship between the coaches, and officials, but the behavior of the wrestlers was respectful as well.

I can only remember a couple of times in the entire tournament that were the least controversial, and although at least one person left unhappy in each of those situations, I still feel that the conflicts were handled in a reasonable respectful manner.

The worst incident I had was late in the day, on the second day. The match just started off with a bad handshake. I really did not catch what happened, so I told them to shake hands again, like men. It still wasn't the best handshake in the world, but it was acceptable. The match was competitive, but the green wrestler was clearly winning the match. While the red wrestler was on the bottom, he posted up hard, and lifted his head. he repeated it and caught the green wrestler in the nose with the back of his head. I felt like it might have been intentional, and warned him to keep the match clean during a blood stoppage. I told him that I believed what he did was intentional. Latter in the match in a scramble for a takedown, the red wrestler, who was about to give up the takedown reared back and punched the green wrestler in the head. I immediately stepped in and stopped the match. While I was stepping in the green wrestler said "what the (expletive". As I made sure the wrestlers were separated, I signaled flagrant misconduct on the red wrestler, and told him he was disqualified from the tournament. Then I held out my green hand signaling unsportsmanlike conduct on the green wrestler. The green wrestlers coach did not see the first call, and shouted out what, and before he said anything else, I explained that he had missed the first call. I told him I ejected the red wrestler, and let him know that his wrestler had used profanity. He immediately calmed down, and made sure his wrestler was OK.

I had to fill out a report to send to GHSA. I gave it to the Head Official of the tournament, and he forwarded a copy to the head of our officials association, who will in turn deliver it to GHSA. The wrestler will have to serve a suspension.

One of my goals for the year is to have a better, more positive relationship with coaches and wrestlers. I want to answer all questions as completely as possible, while keeping tournaments moving. I want to give wrestlers a quick explanation when they seem to be confused by a call. If wrestlers ,and coaches have a better feel for what I am looking for, they will be able to produce it on my mat, and I will have nothing to do but award points, and congratulate wrestlers for hard fought matches.

Good luck the rest of the way everyone. We are off to a good start.