New referees unleashed

• Refman

  My fall new wrestling officials training class is over. 16 new wrestling referees have been unleashed unto the world. I wish them well.
  The journey now really begins. All they know now is enough to pass the test. Now they must learn to administrate those rules. I wish tonight as they left, I could of given each man a gift. A box of tools, and inside that box were the following traits that when they needed them, they could reach right in and pull one out. In reality, we all carry around that “box”. It takes years to fill that box with the right stuff.
  
  
  I offer each new referee the gift of:
  
  
  Alertness - Be aware that the safety of each wrestler is paramount.
  Appreciation – Kid hits a great move, savor it. He worked hard to master it.
  Aspiration - Reach for the stars, you will get there.
  Cheerfulness - Leave your own troubles mat side
  Communication - Learn to do this effectively with coaches. They will appreciate it.
  Confidence – Reek of it without being cocky
  Curiosity - Don’t know something? Find it out. Ask questions.
  Decisiveness – Be firm. Be quick. Everything is based on a knowledge of the rules.
  Excellence - Strive to be the best you can be.
  Ethics – Don’t have them? Hang up the whistle, quickly.
  Fairness – Do the right thing.
  Family – Don’t forget this. Without family, you are a lonely person.
  Forgiveness - Don’t hold grudges. Let things go.
  Humility – It’s truly not about you out there.
  Loyalty - Don’t degrade your fellow refs in public.
  Perseverance - It really will get easier to remember which arm is green or red.
  Positive Attitude - Why have any other type?
  Preparation - This is the key. Read. Study. Mat time Mat time and more Mat time.
  Punctuality - Always a hour ahead of start time.
  Resilience - You will mess up. Get over it.
  Values - Don’t have any? Get some…quickly.
  Wisdom - Of all the gifts, this will take the longest. With this gift, all others will come.
• zambrown

  

  Great post, refman!
• Joe Daugherty

  Awesome! I can't Waite to see them running around the mat trying to stay in position to see the near fall , especially with the little rolly polly biddy kids! I remember the first match I officiated, I was drenched after the match! I ran around with my head spinning! I think it's harder to officiate the little guys as they get in some really funky scramble situations!
  Good luck to all the new reffs! Watch out for those nutty parents!
• matdad

  Refman,
  
  I have a question for you. How much is appropriate to pay officials for an 18 team pool style middle school tournament? 3 mats and 5 officials.
• Refman

  matdad....here is the basic chart:
  
  Five to eight teams (double elimination) Varsity: $200.00 (three officials) or $150.00 (four officials) Reserve: $150.00 (three officials) or $125.00 (four officials) Junior High: $125.00 (three officials) or $100.00 (four officials)
  Eight team dual match Varsity: $65.00 per dual match Reserve: $50.00 per dual match Junior High: $45.00 per dual match
  Eight team Olympic format Varsity: $225.00 Reserve: $185.00 Junior High: $150.00
  Nine to sixteen teams (double elimination or wrestle back) Varsity: $275.00 Reserve: $225.00 Junior High: $200.00
• matdad

  Thank you!
• queencitybuckeye

  V - Vince D - He hates you all.
• yeahgoahead

  

  Refman all the new guys have to do is come out and be perfect and try to improve from there. J/K The biggest is hussle and learn from your mistakes.