Let's Train the High School Kids as Refs Better

[Caveman]

While I thought the wrestling at Lincoln-Way Central's Mid Evil Classic was as good as it was going to get, with most of the area's powerhouse teams slugging it out in duals, I had a problem with some of the officials used by LWWC.

Now I am not saying all the officials were bad or anything like that but, a number of the High School Kids (and I know they are HS'ers because they wrestled conference the previous day and I coached some of them before) blew a lot of calls. Scissoring the head with locked feet is illegal, a wrestler takes another down to the mat and is in a pinning situation you don't stop the hold because the top wrestlers head gear has slipped, lifting a wrestler and forcibly slamming (not bringing the wrestler done with care) calls for a stop in the action when the bottom wrestler is obviously hurt.

I believe that it is great that these kids want to give back to the sport and that they want to officiate but, let's build a training process for them so that they are successful. There are some quality referees out there and it would be great to see them sponsor local training sessions for these kids. These sessions need not only be held at the beginning of the year but, also during the year.

I am not complaining about the tournament. LWWC ran a pretty smooth tournament and I like the 4 man round robin format. The match ups were ok. The parents from LWWC were helpful. And getting out of the tournament at 3:00 was great.

I am complaining about some not all of the refs. I am not just complaining about just the kid refs here either. Some of the older heavier guys have become lazy or complacent. They see themselves as all powerful and demand, direct, and chastise good coaches (coaches who over the years have been it it for the kids) who have been around for years. I speak to this from an observation were some very good coaches from Lemont, Plainfield, and Lockport unfairly were reprimanded by officials who were clearly in the wrong.



Coaches ever year try to improve and get better. Why are our referees untouchable? Why shouldn't they listen to the coaches for feedback so they can improve? Why don't we train the kids, who want to give back to wrestling, the right way to officiate?


Once again I am not complaining about the LWWC club and their tournament. I am suggesting we do something better thats all.

[saturdaynight]

I beleive it is still the case that tournaments, at the direction of the IKWF are to only use officials that are registered. They are to submit a report to the IKWF within a few days of the tournament, stating which officials were used. Non compliance can result in a $250.00 fine. And yes, you see clubs using High School kids all the time. I have even seen a club dress up one of their own coaches at an tournmament.

[doc]

I was at a tournament in Iowa where the HS boys reffed, but a more experienced ref sat at matside and could overrule a call if needed. the HS kids worked free, for the experience, so it was no extra costthan having an official there, but it did give the HS kids great experience and it gave the coaches confidence that there was a more seasoned pro to oversee any questionable calls

[matmedic]

I believe that is the case in Illinois. If a kid is being "mentored" as part of his certification process he/she should not be on the mat unsupervised. In defense of High School refs we have had some that were better than most and done a great job. The IKWF made the right rule by requiring that all refs be certified, now we all need to start following it.

[29857]

IKWF requires refs to be registered (USA wrestling), not certified (IHSA). An IHSA certified ref has met multiple requirements, experience and testing to demonstrate the highest level of competancy at the HS varsity level. To become registered as a USA wrestling ref, you need simply to send them $25 and poof, you're a ref. There are no qualifications required. There are simply not enough IHSA refs available to do all these tournaments, so you will almost always have a mix.

Most tourneys do have veterans (IHSA Recognized or Certified) mixed with a couple USA registered guys. Certainly allowing for supervision from veterans is wise and best for safety. These young aspiring kids need a place to learn. They could attend Officials Clinics in October / November, but I'm sure most are wrestling themselves.

Other tourneys don't bother to take any chances and if they are fortunate enough to have only IHSA refs. These tourneys are typically the ones parents love the most because as a parent, you are virtually insured of safety, understanding and good spostsmanship by all.

I was at Lincolnway as a parent / coach. Not a ref, and all the USA refs I spoke to listened and gratefully accepted any feedback I had to offer. They need opportunity to mix with veterans who can mentor them.

I also think they did a very professional job hosting a great tournament from start to finish. Your post validates what I have grown to understand very well from both sides of the line. As a parent, I care less about the color of my kids medals. At the end of the day, all that really matters is were they safe? And was it fun? As a ref, safety, safety, safety, fun and sportsmanship.

[Caveman]

Most tourneys do have veterans (IHSA Recognized or Certified) mixed with a couple USA registered guys. Certainly allowing for supervision from veterans is wise and best for safety. These young aspiring kids need a place to learn. They could attend Officials Clinics in October / November, but I'm sure most are wrestling themselves.
...

I also think they did a very professional job hosting a great tournament from start to finish. Your post validates what I have grown to understand very well from both sides of the line. As a parent, I care less about the color of my kids medals. At the end of the day, all that really matters is were they safe? And was it fun? As a ref, safety, safety, safety, fun and sportsmanship. Ok, I am not trying to cause a stir here. My original point is I would like to see the IKWF create a process where by these younger refs can learn and we give them the right tools to do so. The idea posted earlier about the tournament in Iowa seemed interesting. Have a veteran in the corner to mentor. Will it work? I don't know. Just looking to create awareness.

Second and I want to point out again, I had no problem with the LWWC club, parents, or tournament. I did have a problem with 2 younger officials myself, witnessed problems with the same 2 younger officals and witnessed an issue with 1 older offical.

The intent of my post had two points; 1 let's nurture these younger kid's - it's great they are involved and they are the next generation to carry the flag; 2 perception is reality - Some older officials (not all) present an attitude that they are infallible.

From my vantage point, which maybe flawed, (with 16years of personal wrestling experience, over 10 years of coaching experience, and being a parent for over 16 years) is that coaches who have been around far longer then I and I have complete respect for from a number of talented teams like Lemont, Orland, Vittum, Tinley, Celtics, Plainfield, Martienez, etc. are constantly frustrated by the same officials. Why are these official untouchable? Why can’t we help make them better?

One last comment, I do not understand your statement Your post validates what I have grown to understand very well from both sides of the line.