|
Rotated ads 2/8/12 top to bottom
| |
|
Just so you
won't be disappointed or surprised...
Posted by By the Book 
on 2/11/2011, 12:19 am
So that no one will be
disappointed or surprised at Regionals or State, here are a few things
to be aware of:
1. An escape requires the defensive wrestler to achieve a NEUTRAL
position. Please don't say, "Isn't that loss of control?" when the
offensive wrestler is still exercising some restraining power over his
opponent (e.g., still has one arm wrapped around the opponent's leg
during the escape attempt). The buzzer sounding or going out of bounds
do not change the control status of the wrestlers. When you see the
official holding out his arm for 30 seconds during the scramble and
saying things like "No change, Green still in control" and then they
go out of bounds, guess what? Green was still in control and we
restart with Red on the bottom - no escape. An escape is not a
consolation prize for a nice attempt or hard work on the part of the
defensive wrestler. As long as the offensive wrestler demonstrates
either restraining power or position of advantange, there is not a
neutral positon and there is no escape. Please stop begging for that
escape inappropriately.
2. That Under Armor hair cover with all of those logos is not legal.
Come on the mat with one where multiple logos are visible and the
official will kindly penalize you for a Technical Violation and throw
in an injury time out to correct the problem. Take the whole 90
seconds if you wish. But, whatever you do, please do not complain or
waste time saying things like, "He wore that last week". If so, it was
illegal last week too. And I don't care if you think it is a dumb rule
- it's a rule, the coaches have known about it for years, and anyone
stupid enough to show up on the mat with this particular violation
deserves no sympathy.
3. Yes, it's a Caution for assuming an incorrect starting position.
But guess what - you get two Cautions before you ever get penalized a
point. So calm down and simply correct your mistake and wait for the
whistle. Don't roll your eyes or make a disgusted expression on your
face. If you are looking for someone to blame for that Caution, ask
the referee and he will hand you a mirror - then you will be able to
clearly see the face of the person who is to blame. This is totally
within the control of the wrestler and it happens at a moment when no
wrestling is taking place. Did I mention that it's the end of the
season? Why is it so hard for some people to do this very simple act
correctly? It remains a mystery to me.
4. If you have a doctor's note and it is not on the NFHS approved
form, then don't expect to wrestle that day. Your coach knows that the
NFHS form is required. So have your angry dad settle this matter with
the coach after you get disqualified at the weigh-in. And everyone
else in the locker room can thank the official for saving them from
catching that awful skin condition from the kid who was trying to use
a bogus note. Cards and flowers are a nice gesture to express your
appreciation to the referee.
5. If you choose to stay outside of the 10 foot circle when you could
otherwise return to it, take your stall warning like a man. It is not
an acceptable tactic to "play the edge". Staying outside of the 10
foot circle is an easy stall call for the official. You are required,
by rule, to be in the 10 foot circle when you have a chance to be
there. That is the equivalent of the old "Prime Directive" from Star
Trek. So, when the referee verbalizes to you, "CENTER CIRCLE", I
recommend you heed that advice. After you receive your stall warning,
I bet the official won't have to remind you any more about the
requirement to stay in the center. Oh, and I bet we see a lot less out
of bounds situations and a lot more scoring. Isn't wrestling a fan
friendly sport when there is more scoring? Yeah, it is.
6. Two people in the corner - that's two human beings maximum. That
doesn't mean two coaches + the girl with the scorebook sitting next to
the chairs + the videographer standing behind the coaches - it means
two people. Your choice who they are. If the official penalizes the
Head Coach for Unsportsmanlike Conduct when he sees more than 2
people, the Head Coach can rant on those deadbeats that got him in
trouble in the first place. This rule has been around forever, so
there's no reason why anyone should violate it. Help your coach out by
practicing some basic math - look in the chairs and count heads. When
you reach "2", turn around and return to the stands. It's more fun to
watch the action and cheer with the rest of your school's delegation
anyway.
7. Near fall criteria occurs when the shoulders are within 45 degrees
of the mat. The official does not have protractor out there, but he
can easily distinguish between 45 degrees and 80 degrees. When the
opponents shoulders are only around 80 degrees, please don't say
things like "COUNT IT!" No one is trying to deny your wrestler near
fall points - when they are truly earned. But, if you aren't sure what
45 degrees looks like, then I recommend you stop at Fred Meyer on the
way to the tournament and purchase a protractor - they are in the
school supplies section and they only cost about 49 cents. Then, hold
it up to your eye whenever the opponent starts getting turned. Maybe
it will help.
All that being said, best of luck to all the wrestlers these next two
weekends. And for the spectators, have fun - your sons and daughters
have accomplished much to make it this far. |
|
|
