Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The Guillotine Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.

If you join our community, you'll be able to use many member-only features such as posting messages, customizing your profile, sending personal messages, voting in polls, and fewer ads.

Email forum@theguillotine.com to find out how to get an account.

If you're already a member please log in:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Volunteer Officials
Topic Started: Jan 23 2016, 11:05 PM (1,132 Views)
Ross Johnson
No Avatar
Newbie
[ * ]
I have a curiosity question.

After speaking to a youth wrestling club coordinator today I have been doing some thinking. I want to see youth wrestling clubs that host tournaments be as profitable for the future of the sport. Due to the liability issues related to using high school students as officials many clubs are turning to certified high school officials. With this comes expenses that cut in to the profitability of hosting a youth tournament. My investigation into tax deductions tells me that an individual cannot claim voluntary professional service for cash value. So, if hypothetically I was to work a youth wrestling tournament and they paid me $100 for working that event. and I turned around a donated $100.00 to their club (assuming it is a non profit organization) and they provided me a receipt for my donation would this not accomplish the very same thing?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
J Latterell
No Avatar
Wrestling Fan
[ *  *  * ]
Yes it would be a break even from a tax perspective but it works out better to just deduct the mileage driven to the event for those who file long form. If you want to look into quality officials look to how freestyle and greco in the state handle it. No mat officials in MN are paid for their time and they often get full coverage of their mats. Mat officials will often ask each other for help when they host tournaments and are really good about lending a hand.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
huntfishwrestle
Member Avatar
Fantastic
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
If I want to be a freestyle or greco official how do I get certified? I noticed a major shortage last year and I would like to step in and help.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Iowan@heart
Member Avatar
Fantastic
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
huntfishwrestle
Feb 11 2016, 02:42 PM
If I want to be a freestyle or greco official how do I get certified? I noticed a major shortage last year and I would like to step in and help.
Thank you.

Show up at any local freestyle or greco event and find the head official. Tell him or her that you want to help.

At some point, you probably should buy the USA Wrestling Officials license and go through the background check. It's all listed on the MN USA website here.. You usually get a rule book with your membership.

Tom Kuisle is the head official for Minnesota. You can also call or e-mail him and let him know that you're interested. He'll get you on the distribution list for the weekly "begging for officials" e-mail. Tom also sends out rule summaries and Minnesota interpretations which are important for consistency.

When you show up at a local event to help, they will have some sort of officials meeting where they will go over rule changes, rule interpretations and general suggestions for consistency and appropriateness. All rules are subject to interpretation so the head official may suggest that some rules are called looser or tighter depending on the stage of the season and the age of the kids.

If you are not comfortable with jumping right in, then just ask to sit next to a mat and try to call the match (including hand signals) as it progresses. I even find myself practicing by watching matches online and calling out the points (including the correct hand signals) while I watch.

Bottom line is that you are correct. We need more officials in the state. It's a glamourless job involving long hours, no pay, and often hostile parents.




Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
J Latterell
No Avatar
Wrestling Fan
[ *  *  * ]
Iowan@heart
Feb 11 2016, 03:50 PM
huntfishwrestle
Feb 11 2016, 02:42 PM
If I want to be a freestyle or greco official how do I get certified? I noticed a major shortage last year and I would like to step in and help.
Thank you.

Show up at any local freestyle or greco event and find the head official. Tell him or her that you want to help.

At some point, you probably should buy the USA Wrestling Officials license and go through the background check. It's all listed on the MN USA website here.. You usually get a rule book with your membership.

Tom Kuisle is the head official for Minnesota. You can also call or e-mail him and let him know that you're interested. He'll get you on the distribution list for the weekly "begging for officials" e-mail. Tom also sends out rule summaries and Minnesota interpretations which are important for consistency.

When you show up at a local event to help, they will have some sort of officials meeting where they will go over rule changes, rule interpretations and general suggestions for consistency and appropriateness. All rules are subject to interpretation so the head official may suggest that some rules are called looser or tighter depending on the stage of the season and the age of the kids.

If you are not comfortable with jumping right in, then just ask to sit next to a mat and try to call the match (including hand signals) as it progresses. I even find myself practicing by watching matches online and calling out the points (including the correct hand signals) while I watch.

Bottom line is that you are correct. We need more officials in the state. It's a glamourless job involving long hours, no pay, and often hostile parents.




It's not that bad and I rather enjoy it. If you are not comfortable stepping out right away talk to anyone wearing a blue jersey and they will happily work with you where you are most comfortable. There are few times that you get an email asking for help, mostly for outstate events. The MN mat officials are a really great group of guys.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tiny Tornado
Member Avatar
Tiny Tornado
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I agree. I personally know that any new mat official can be paired with a mentor, and can slowly enter the ranks a little at a time. As Iowan explained, nobody wants to throw you to the wolves, and make you ref all by ylurself before youre ready. They want you to enjoy the experience, and gain confidence along the way. Its a team effort, and the other officials will help you learn as you go.

One of my favorite memories of the past two GR/FS State tournaments in Rochester was seeing young Teddy and Nicholas Pierce, Jarod Oftedahl, and other youngsters putting on a blue Shirt, and getting out there on the mat and working alongside the older refs as a team, and having lots of fun doing it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Club/Freestyle/Greco-Roman · Next Topic »
Add Reply