THE GODFATHER`S GUIDE “To Become A Great Official”

FHSAA WRESTLING FIELD CLINIC
Winter Springs High School
2008
PRE-MATCH DUTIES
Mike Netherclift
President, NCFWOA
Officiating & Wrestling
Experience
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High School Wrestler -
1974 - 1976
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High School Coach
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FHSAA Wrestling Official - 25 Years
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Rank 1 Superior Official - 16 Years
- 1984 - 1990
Experience Continued
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FHSAA Continued Service Award-1995 & 2002
Officiated 18 Regional Wrestling Tournaments
Officiated 7 State Tournaments
Officiated Multiple College & National High School
Wrestling Tournaments
Served as President/Booking Officer/Member of
NCFWOA – 25 Years
Served as Training Official for NCFWOA
FHSAA 25 Year Service Award – 2007-08
Pre-Season Thought
Processes and Considerations For
Up-Coming Season
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Understand The Bell Curve
Be Coachable and Approachable
Enforce and Administer The Rules
Don’t Politicize And/Or Rewrite The Rule Book
Be Businesslike and Professional
Accentuate Preventative Officiating
Always Hustle to Be in Good Position
Don’t Be The Center of Attention
Be Prepared – Know Your Rules – Be in Shape!
Fake It – Till Ya Make It!
Other Pre-Season
Considerations
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Check Uniform and
Accessories Early
Review Your Schedule
Read Your Rule
Book/Manual/Situations
Get In The Wrestling Room
Get Your Official’s Bag
Organized
WHY ARE PRE – MEET/MATCH
PROCEDURES IMPORTANT ?
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Are the most overlooked, discounted,
neglected responsibilities
Sets the tone of the match
Establishes that you are in control
Establishes your level of professionalism
Verifies your competency and
qualifications
THE FIVE B’S
Pre-Match Procedures
Be Polite and Approachable
 Be Assertive and Firm
 Be Business-like
 Be Consistent
 Be Preventative
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Pre-Match Duties
At The Site
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Greet Coaches & Administrators – Get Check
Check Gym & Wrestling Area
Visit The Locker room- Use Your
Pre-Meet Card
Verify Sportsmanship With
Captains/Coaches
Verify With Head Coach – Ready To wrestling
Scorer’s Table Pre-Meet Duties
Most overlooked
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Seat Workers Correctly
Verify That All Equipment is Working
Tell Table Workers They are “Officials”
Tell Them to Be Focused and Alert
Review Scoring, Time, Match and End of
Match Procedures
Verify MWS and Remind Coaches to
Exchange
Pre-Match Conference
With The Captains
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Think Preventative
Tell Captains Your Expectations
Tell Captains To Assist Their Coach &
Help You Keep Team Bench Conduct &
Decorum
Remind/Review Sportsmanship
During The Match
The Referee’s Model
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Mechanics
Postioning
Anticipation
Movement
Match Procedures
Positioning
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Stop Action For PD Holds
Properly View The Action
Make Appropriate Calls
Stop Action For Penalties
Call NF’s and Falls
Correct Out of Bounds Calls
Anticipation
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Be Where The Action is Going
Be Quick to Recognize PDH’s
and Dangerous Situations
Movement
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Keep Up With Any Action at All Speeds
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Movement Should Have Purpose
Pre-Match Preventative Situations
What would you do/call????
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Running in The Parking Lot
Coaching Chairs on Mat – Dual
Match
Socializing With
Parents/Coaches/Fans
Safety Mat Not Approx. 5 ft Wide
From Wrestling Area
Other Situations/Questions
DUMB THINGS OFFICIALS
DO TO LOSE CREDIBILITY
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Inadvertently Scouting For a Coach
Fraternizing With Coaches, Athletes, Parents
Power Trip Official
The Money Gruber
The Homer
The Bus Stop Ref
The Gossip Monger
The Opinion-ator
The Gift Bearer