The "Towel Tap"...

[55663]

Why would a tournament director send out a table worker out with a three foot towel to try to tap the official when time expires? Wouldn't their hand do?

I HAVE to be missing something, because I think it borders on absurd.

[flashy_classy_Ahost]

Originally Posted by 55663

Why would a tournament director send out a table worker out with a three foot towel to try to tap the official when time expires? Wouldn't their hand do?

I HAVE to be missing something, because I think it borders on absurd.

This has been done for years. It was originally for that person to throw it out to the ref on the mat. I'm guessing since sometimes that didn't work (ref down looking for a fall and not looking for a flying object on the mat) they just graduated to walking out there. Not really absurd, just a part of wrestling history IMO.

[55663]

Originally Posted by flashy_classy_Ahost

This has been done for years. It was originally for that person to throw it out to the ref on the mat. I'm guessing since sometimes that didn't work (ref down looking for a fall and not looking for a flying object on the mat) they just graduated to walking out there. Not really absurd, just a part of wrestling history IMO.

I understand the evolution...

My questions is why do you STILL need the towel? You're obviously close enough -just tap a shoulder with your HAND like an assistant official would.

[flashy_classy_Ahost]

Originally Posted by 55663

I understand the evolution...

My questions is why do you still need the towel? You're obviously close enough -just tap a shoulder with your HAND.

I guess I don't understand the big deal with it. Oh well, I'm sure by the time I wake up tomorrow, this will have a 7 page response to it with the answer your looking for.

[wrestling observer]

Today at a jr High meet they used a ball similar to one you would use in a Dodge Ball game....That ball was all over the place...LOL

[55663]

Originally Posted by wrestling observer

Today at a jr High meet they used a ball similar to one you would use in a Dodge Ball game....That ball was all over the place...LOL

Your first response was so much better...

I hadn't taken the "sooo gay" angle into account. Maybe we should keep the towel.

[JSTAFN]

You know how sweaty some refs get under all that pressure!!! Would you want to touch them with your hand??

[halfman]

I saw some people in an ohio tourney use the foam swimming pool floater sticks to jab the ref from afar.

[myrdrs]

Actually this dates back to ancient times when the wrestlers were in the nude. Towels would be thrown in to signify the end of the competition (and of course they were handy to clean up).

[Don@275]

The real reason is to keep "the tapper" as far away from any potential action. So they don't get hurt, or in the way.