3 days full

Although I could have officiated more last week, I got my fill in the last three days.
12/28 Minion Duals
12/29 Dixie Nationals
12/30 Rockdale Duals.

I was contacted by the tournament director for minion duals about a month ago. He asked if I could provide the officials for the tournament. We worked out a deal that was a little better for him, than the officials because I felt confident that I could find officials that wanted to work the tournament. I had no problem booking the tournament, because officials want to work hot matches (highly competitive, high level wrestling) no matter what the age groups are. I booked the officials and put myself in as well. I assigned a head official, but at the last minute he had a family problem that he had to take care of. By default because I booked the officials, I became the head official. I don't mind being a head official for most events. You do not get paid more, but usually you do not do that much more either. That wasn't the case at Minion Duals. I felt like Santa with a line of kids waiting to tell me what they wanted for Christmas while I was trying to officiate duals myself. I worked the K-3 division which means I spent a lot of time on my knees. needles to say, my legs where tired, and I was still trying to put out small fires. It was fun, but draining.
On the 29th, I was booked to work a high school Duals event, but got a last second call to cover Dixie. I really wanted to work Dixie, so I was not disappointed. I worked with three officials on four mats which means I got lots of short breaks. That helped me focus during my matches, and I had a good day. My legs were tired when I showed up, and even more so when I left. I had very few problems, and enjoyed the day at a National tournament.
Morning came quick on the 30th, and all I knew about my assignment was that I was working with one other official,it started at 9:00am, and it was Varsity Duals. It ended up being 5 duals for each of us. I am usually my sharpest early in the morning, and fad a little in the afternoon. My legs were a little dead in the morning, and it took me a while to shake some life into them. I had one of my worst calls of the year today. There was a scramble on the edge, and I blew the action dead because their feet were out of bounds. As soon as I blew the whistle I realized that the red wrestler had the green wrestlers shoulders in bounds, and he was pretty flat. Before the red coach could complain I apologized, and admitted that I was wrong, and could not fix the mistake. I let the coach give me some grief, and offered to discuss it more at the end of the Dual. The red wrestler did not win the match, and even got pinned. The mistake could possibly have cost the red team a twelve point swing. After the dual was over, and the moment was no longer heated, the coach was satisfied, and we moved on. The rest of the duals were good, but no big controversy. The worst thing that happened was a kid getting pinned with what the coach said was a choke hold. Since I was on the backside for a good view of the shoulders, it is very possible. If I had circled around front to check the hold I would have missed the fall. It was just one of those times where you make a choice, and it may not have been the best one.

I am off till next year. Next up for me is being a spectator at The Scuffle. See you on the mats soon.