Part Five, October 1998 - March 1999
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Q: When should a match be stopped for stalling?
Clueless
A: The match shall be stopped at all times only when the top man is
stalling.
March 2, 1999
Q: Does an official have the authority to wave-off takedown points after
awarding them?
Girlfriend Fan
A: If an official feels he has awarded takedown points too quickly, he
has every right to wave them off. In fact, I would be disappointed if
he didn't after realizing he made a mistake. Great Question!
February 24, 1999
Q: Wrestler A (bottom man) stands up supporting all of Wrestler B's
weight. Before the referee can stop the match for a potentially
dangerous situation,
Wrestler A falls back to the mat on top
Wrestler B is injured and can not continue. Who wins the
match?
--Wrestling Freak
A: If it was accidental, Wrestler A would win the match. If the
official feels Wrestler A did it intentionally, then Wrestler B would
win the match. Good question!
February 16, 1999
Q: Wrestler A is on top and locks hands (a technical violation) just
before Wrestler B switches him for a reversal, receiving one point for
the technical violation and 2 points for the reversal. A few seconds
later Wrestler reverses Wrestler B for two points and puts him on his
back for a three-point near fall. Should the match have been stopped
after Wrestler B secured the initial reversal?
Dr. Tim Miller
A: No. If the bottom man escapes or reverses the top man who is
committing a locked-hands technical violation, the match is not
stopped. If the bottom wrestler in the same situation could not escape
or reverse his opponent quickly, the match would then be stopped and the
bottom man would be awarded a point.
February 16, 1999
Q: Wrestler A (on top) locks hands which the official indicates as a
technical violation--delayed call--as Wrestler B in is in the midst of a
reversal. During the reversal move, Wrestler B executes an illegal
headlock. Does Wrestler B give up one point for the illegal headlock,
or is this illegal hold null because of the locked hands?
Coach Emil Nardone
A: Wrestler B would receive one match-point for the locked hands and
Wrestler A would earn one match-point for the illegal headlock.
Remember, both infractions occurred during actual wrestling time; it was
not during "bad time." Thus, both penalties must be indicated.
February 12, 1999
Q: Does a wrestler earn a win on his record for a forfeit and does his
opponent receive a loss on his record?
A: The wrestler who wins by a forfeit does earn a win on his record.
However, since it is a forfeit and there is nobody to wrestle, it would
not be counted as a loss for anybody.
February 11, 1999
Q: When is it a four-point near fall: when the referee calls potentially
dangerous or when there is injury/blood time?
Robert Scott
A: When there is a potentially dangerous situation only the three points
would be awarded for the near fall--NO extra point. With injury or
blood time, an extra point would be awarded for the near fall.
February 10, 1999
Q: Often when I have a cradle, my opponent will grab only one finger.
Should I call the referee's attention to this problem.
Matt
A: The good official should see this problem and call an illegal hold.
However, Matt, look me up at states and I will show you how to grasp
your hands so your opponent cannot grab a finger.
Q: If Wrestler A crossfaces and Wrestler B leaves teeth marks because
his mouth was open, would this be a flagrant misconduct?
A: If the official believes that it was unintentional (because the mouth
happened to be open during the crossface), a flagrant misconduct would
NOT be called. This is a judgment call by the referee.
Q: If Wrestler A is being pinned and starts bleeding, what call should
the referee make?
Robert Hickman
A: If criteria was met for just a fraction of a second, Wrestler B would
receive 3 match points. If Wrestler A was held there for at least the
mandatory five-count, Wrestler B would receive 4 match points. Bleeding
is the same as an injury in this situation.
Q: What is the ruling for weigh-ins during a dual meet tournament?
Steve Felder & Chris Diserio
A: There are no rulebook formats for dual meet tournaments. As long as
the tournament abides by all the certified minimum weight and weigh-in
requirements, the tournament director can dictate the other rules of his
dual meet tournament. This should be done well in advance of the event
so all coaches are made aware of the particular rules of his dual meet
tournament.
January 19, 1999
Q: What is the penalty for "fleeing the mat" or forcing your opponent
out of the wrestling area to avoid wrestling?
Tim Miller
A: This is a technical violation and a point(s) would be awarded
depending where the wrestler is at regarding progressive penalties. It
should not be called stalling.
January 13, 1999
Q: Many coaches around the state have been confused on the rule
regarding moving up to wrestle, but not losing eligibility at your
"certified minimum weight." Would you please clarify it for us?
Wrestling Coach
A: Rule 1-3-2 (p. 8 of the NF Rulebook) states:
"For health and safety reasons the state's weight-control program
shall require each wrestler to establish a certified minimum weight
sometime prior to January 15th (in WV it is Dec. 23rd), and prohibits
recertification at a lower weight during the season. After
certification, a wrestler may NOT WEIGH-IN MORE THAN ONE WEIGHT CLASS
ABOVE THE WEIGHT OF CERTIFICATION WITHOUT RECERTIFYING AT A HIGHER
WEIGHT."
Example 1: Wrestler A's certified minimum weight is 103. He
weighs-in at the 112 pound class and then wrestles at 119. Does this
recertify Wrestler A to a higher weight class? NO, because he only
weighed in at one weight class above his weight of certification.
Wrestler A's certified minimum weight would still be 103.
Example 2: Wrestler B's certified minimum weight is 103. He
weighs-in at the 119 pound class and then wrestles at 119. Does this
recertify Wrestler B to a higher weight class? YES, because he weighed
in TWO weight classes above his weight of certification. Wrestler A's
certified minimum weight would now be 112.
January 10, 1999
Q: What takes precedence -- blood time or injury time?
A: Blood Time must always be administered to first.
December 22, 1998
Q: How can a wrestler acquire three near-fall points after scoring two
near-fall points?
Fan
A: The first pinning situation must be over with the bottom man returning to his base and the pinning combination is released. This is a very tough call for officials at times. Good Question
Q: If one state allows 8th graders on the varsity squad, can he wrestle
in a state that does not have 8th grade wrestlers on the varsity squad.
A: As far as I know, yes.
Q: If a wrestler is academically ineligible at the start of wrestling season, how can
he become eligible to wrestle?
A: The wrestler must have a 2.0 average the first semester, which would
be sometime in January. He could wrestle in states if he did so.
December 17, 1998
Q:The wrestler on top has applied a guillotine and has legally encircled
the head, locking wrists or hands, without an arm included after meeting
near-fall criteria. If his guillotine leg then converts to a straight
leg scissors across the body, is the headlock now illegal?
Tim Miller
A: Yes, but the top man does have reaction time to release the illegal
headlock.
December 15, 1998
Q: Is it possible to get a defensive pin because I have seen a lot of
close calls and the referee does not acknowledge that it is occurring.
I think they should pay more attention to "defensive pin" situations.
Chris Satterfield
A: Sometimes referees do miss defensive pins because they are looking at
the defensive wrestler's shoulders. But you are right, in some
situations, they should be checking for a defensive pin. I am sure I
have missed such pins in the past. However, I did call a defensive pin
on a defending state champion once. So, yes, defensive pins are
called.
Q: Wrestler A starts on top second period and is winning 2-0. A few
seconds after the official starts the second period, Wrestler B scores a
2-point reversal and then 3 back points, now winning 5-2. Then the
official scorer stops the match to inform the referee that they forgot
to start the clock for the second period. Will Wrestler B lose those
points for that period?
Cory
A: ABSOLUTELY NOT. It is not bad time; thus,the official would just
have to make an educated guess at how much time expired, and restart the
match at that point.
December 8, 1998
Q: How does the official know if the wrestler is faking an injury when getting
pinned?
The Pin
A: The referee may signal an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty if he KNOWS
that the wrestler is faking an injury. I have two criteria I go by
before making this call: 1) The wrestler tells me he was faking or 2) He
openly makes a joke about fooling me with a faked injury right after the
call. In other words, the referee better KNOW, not think the wrestler
is faking, so he can explain his call precisely and convincingly to the
penalized wrestler's coach We can't read minds!
Q: Can a referee remove a loose headgear from a wrestler while they are
wrestling without stopping the match?
WV Enthusiast
A: Yes, especially if a near-fall situation is taking place.
Q: Is a chicken wing legal?
A: Yes, as long as the hand is located on the middle of the back. When
the hand is nearer the shoulder, it can be considered potentially
dangerous, and when there is pressure to the shoulder, it is illegal.
Its the same concept when two chicken wings are simultaneously
applied.
December 1, 1998
Q: Do you have to be a former wrestler to be a good official?
New Referee
A: No, I have witnessed many fine officials who never wrestled.
However, I must admit that officials who wrestled tend to have a better
grasp regarding the subtleties of the sport, especially in the area of
sensing control.
November 27, 1998
Q: Wrestler A accidently pokes Wrestler B in the eye, and Wrestler B
must take a time-out for the injury.
Questions:
1. Will Wrestler B be charged with an injury time-out?
2. Will Wrestler A be charged with unnecessary roughness?
3. Will this be an "official's time-out?
4. If charged as injury time, some coaches might
take advantage of the rule. Is this right?
Bob Hickman
A: The answers:
1. Wrestler B would be charged with an injury time-out if
it was accidental.
2. The only way Wrestler A could be charged with unnecessary
roughness is if the official feels it was done on purpose.
3. It will not be an official's time-out.
4. If a coach would take advantage of such a rule, he would
be unethical and should resign!
GREAT QUESTIONS, BOB!
November 20, 1998
Q: Can a wrestling competition start with the heavier weight classes
rather than the lighter weight classes?
Pin-Fall
A: Yes, the weight classes could be competed in any order as long as
there is mutual consent between all coaches involved in that particular
event.
November 17, 1998
Q: I have two questions:
1) What is the length of time, if any, when the wrestlers return to
the mat that locked hands must be broken?
2) What are your thoughts on teaching young wrestlers to avoid this
penalty?
M. Nogay
A: 1) Wrestlers are given reaction time to release hands when they bring
their opponents to the mat. The rule of thumb is normally saying the
words - "Reaction Time." If they are still locking after saying that,
you penalize for locked hands..
2) Teach your wrestlers to quickly go to a:
1. Double one-on-one of each wrist ride
2. Two-on-one wrist ride
3. Ankle-waist ride
Learning these rides and performing them right after hitting the
mat will solve the locked hands dilemma.
Great questions!
November 11, 1998
Q: I have two questions:
1) What is the toughest call for wrestling officials to make?
2) Do wrestling officials take more criticism from fans than
other officials, especially when there is only one referee
doing most matches?
New Fan
A: 1) There are many difficult calls such as out-of-bounds situations,
subtle control, and potentially dangerous circumstances. However, I
believe I speak for most officials when I say calling "questionable
stalling" is the toughest call in the sport.
2) I would have to say that wrestling officials take no more or less
grief than referees in other sports. This includes officiating a match
alone.
November 10, 1998
Q: Team A has two wrestlers who are certified to wrestle no lower than
the 102-pound weight class. Both wrestlers weigh 100 pounds. Wrestler A
wrestles at the 102-pound weight class all year before the season ending
Junior High Championships. Then Wrestler A is injured seriously enough
in his last dual meet that he is unable to compete in the
end-of-the-year tournament. Wrestler B has been weighing-in all year at
100 pounds for the 102-pound weight class, but wrestled 110 all season
because he couldn't beat Wrestler A.
Can Wrestler B compete in the year-ending Junior High Championships
at the 102-pound weight class?
Robert Hickman
Junior High Wrestling Coach
East Fairmont
A: YES, because over 50% of Wrestler B's weigh-ins were at the 102-pound
weight class, which is his minimum certified weight.
October 30, 1998
Q: I have the following questions:
1. Should mouth guards be mandatory in wrestling?
2. Should officials be picky with cautions?
3. If Wrestler A applies an illegal headlock in the neutral position,
in which position should the match be restarted?
Takedown
A: The answers:
1. The Sports Medicine people may have the final say on whether or not
month guards become mandatory. As of this season, month guards are
recommended.
2. Officials must call false starts when they occur. To help the
wrestlers, I always try to start them as quickly as possible to
eliminate the chances of false starts.
3. The referee would start the match in the same position in which it
was stopped for the illegal hold. In Wrestler A's case, the match would
be restarted in the neutral position.
October 23, 1998
Q: As a beginning official, how should I handle officiating youth
wrestling matches?
New Official
A: The following are ten "do's" and "don'ts" for officiating youth
wrestlers:
October 19, 1998
Q: When should an official award back points?
Total Mat
A: Near-fall points should be awarded when the pinning situation is
over, time runs out, an injury occurs, they go out-of-bounds, or the
pinning combination turns illegal or potentially dangerous to the point
where it must be stopped.
Q: Should an official give a verbal count and should he tell the top
wrestler how close he is to a pin?
Motor Mat
A: I always give a verbal count with the arm sweep (when feasible--arm
sweep, that is). At times, When it's hard for coaches to see how close
the shoulders are to the mat, I let both opposing coaches know how close
the shoulders are to the mat.