Behind the Whistle

Episode 3 focuses on officiating with confidence and getting calls right when they matter most. We talk about being a good partner on the mat, trusting your whistle, and listening when your partner helps you see something you might not be sure about. The episode also breaks down key situations officials struggle with, including stalling with a leg in and correctly awarding takedowns based on real...

Officiating is hard, and nobody is perfect. In this episode, we walk through 10 practical tips to help wrestling officials build confidence, earn respect, and get better every match. We talk about why mastering the rulebook matters, how strong signals and consistent positioning change everything, and why learning from experienced refs (and getting real feedback) speeds up your growth. We also dig...

Welcome back to Behind the Whistle: Inside the Official’s Mind with Rick Solofsky and Dave Marotta, and this is Season 2, Episode 1. Today, we’re kicking off the new season with a deep dive into the 2025–26 high school wrestling rule changes. These updates come straight from the NFHS, and as always, we’ll break down what’s new, why it matters, and how it’ll impact athletes, coaches, and officials...

1. Technical Fall Rule Change Current Rule: A technical fall ends the match when a wrestler gains a 15-point lead. Proposed Change: Discussions may include whether to end the match immediately when the 15-point margin is reached (even during a pinning combination), or allow the pin to be completed before stopping the match. Discussion Points: Pros: Emphasizes skill dominance and quick match resolu...

“Read The Room” Meaning, if you have two state qualifiers, or even 2 State Place winners, try to stay out of the match as much as possible and let them decide the match … If you have two novice wrestlers, especially in a dual meet, be careful with your early stalling calls “Earned Equity” Be careful, just counting offensive shots only If an opponent counters, the original shot, with a go behind, o...

When working with a referee you're not familiar with, communication and consistency are key—especially when making stalling calls. Here are some tips to ensure smooth teamwork and fair officiating: 1. Pre-Match Discussion Before the match, take a few minutes to align on: Stalling philosophy – How strict or lenient do you both interpret stalling? Signals & eye contact – Agree on clear signals for w...

- Why we have specific times for Injury, Recovery, and Blood. I forgot to add this last week, that the medical personnel at the Federation level does not want the human body to be under stress for more than 8.5 minutes…. Interesting, because we could also have two or three different sets of recovery time. -Why coaches must be penalized a misconduct, for coming to the table, the question judgment....

Wrestling officials have encountered several key situations early this season that warrant discussion. Important topics include the distinction between blood time and recovery time in unnecessary roughness incidents, careful consideration of unsportsmanlike conduct calls in close matches, and proper protocol for uniform malfunctions, particularly when female wrestlers' uniforms need adjustment. Of...

Wrestling officials have encountered several key situations early this season that warrant discussion. Important topics include the distinction between blood time and recovery time in unnecessary roughness incidents, careful consideration of unsportsmanlike conduct calls in close matches, and proper protocol for uniform malfunctions, particularly when female wrestlers' uniforms need adjustment. Of...

So, you've decided you want to become a sports official. Rick and I dive into the 40 reasons to love officiating from the book "What to expect in the first 12 month of your officiating". sayyestoofficiating.com 21. Sort out what matters 22. Dedication 23. TeamWork 24. Make a Decision 25. Give Back 26. Perfect 27. Get Over It 28. Gut Check 29. Peer Praise 30. Challenge 31. Life Skills 32. Travel 33...

So, you've decided you want to become a sports official. Rick and I dive into the 40 reasons to love officiating from the book "What to expect in the first 12 month of your officiating". sayyestoofficiating.com 1. Camaraderie 2. Boos 3. Reverence for the rules 4. Escape 5. Passion 6. Addiction 7. Fitness 8. Never the same 9. Personalities 10. Adrenaline 11. Community 12. Love of sports 13. Discomf...

Easton, apparently won their dual meet versus Nazereth 27-26 after their 215 pounder won by technical fall, which was the last bout of the dualmeet. Traditionally, Easton and Nazereth are two of the top four teams in the state of Pennsylvania the last 50 years. The Easton 215 pounder mildly, and softly, tossed his headgear towards his teammates on the bench after the bout The official, who stated,...

-Pre-Season tournament officiating, and two man mechanics -review the shoelace rule and shoe coming off, and when should you allow scoring to continue, and when a Wrestler should not take advantage of the shoe coming off? -Potentially Dangerous versus illegal holds -Cautions, False and when to stay out of the match when it’s not giving either Wrestler an advantage

1-Private school versus public school Good for the sport, or bad for the sport ?

Recruiting New Officials Working with Younger Officials Invite them to assist Allowing officials to cross overstate lines, to support our lack of numbers, because we all have to have clearances anyway We need more effective open door policy to speak to rules committee, during the year, with discrepancies of some of the rules from state to state

1- Review Rule Changes Take-Down, Near Fall, Ultimate Tie Breaker, Stalemate vs Stalling, Holding Near Fall Points and Coming Out of Criteria, and Holding Near Fall Criteria in a Technical Fall situation 2- Pre-Meet, and New Rules, as well Questioning Judgement vs Judgement situation versus Time & Score and consequences 3- Working together as partners, as we will have that opportunity this year on...

In high school wrestling, stalling is a penalty violation that occurs when a wrestler intentionally avoids wrestling action or fails to make genuine attempts to score points. This can include backing away without attacking, staying on the edge of the mat to avoid engagement, maintaining locked hands without working toward a scoring move, or holding a position without attempting to improve it. Refe...

This lecture outlines the key attributes and best practices for wrestling referees, emphasizing the importance of consistency, confidence, rule knowledge, judgment, humility, and fitness. It also covers pre-match preparation, effective communication between officials, and the use of tools like Zebra for managing assignments. The goal is to ensure referees maintain respect and credibility while mak...

KISS “Keep It Simple Stupid” Recruitment and retention is critical to the future of our sport When there is testing needed for an officiating roster, there are common sense ways of expediting the process Test in groups with an open book versus taking a test by yourself in solitary confinement You learn so much more with discussions, versus being concerned about passing the test Questions should be...

Paul’s officiating journey has been both extensive and fulfilling. With 42 years as an OHSAA wrestling official, he has officiated at all levels, from youth leagues to high school competitions. While he no longer officiates at the college level, he has valuable experience from working in NCAA Divisions I, II, and III. Throughout his career with OHSAA, Paul has had the privilege of officiating at 3...

Lets talk about “Getting The Juices Flowing Baby!!! Another Season!!! Preparation for New Season, New Rules, Getting In Shape, Pre-Season Tournaments, etc… We should also talk about the NJWOA Pre-Season tournament that Vinny would love…. Also, going to see if we can get Vinny to get on a future podcast shortly

How long has "WOR" been around? We talk about Barb Brummet, and give her a shout out, and share with the listeners the impact and our incredible contribution to our sport and her being the Pioneer of Women & Officiating to our sport, and her commitment, passion, mentoring, etc. How many women are members? How many years have Kim, Nadine, Kristin, and Susanna have been officiating? What levels of o...

Topic • In its 2nd year • Leaders, Pioneers, and Core People of “WON” • Goals:: -Build the Sport -Support Women Wrestling -Need more officials -Impact on future of sport -Attracting, Mothers and Fans to get involved in our sport -We need more women to officiate men’s tournaments and matches -They are very well organized, hold zoom meetings and have a website

Podcast Part II -How has the sport changed over the last 40 years, since you started officiating? -What changes would you like to suggest or would you like to see change wrestling? -Share with us your pre-meet with coaches and teams before a dual meet? -Share with us, your preparation for the postseason and the importance of being a good partner?

Podcast Part I -How does the Cadet Program work? -What’s the most important areas of officiating that you can share with young officials that are starting out? -How and where can we get past wrestlers and/or more young officials interested in the sport? -For any parents, coaches, and all the young people in our sport listening to this podcast how can they get started with the Cadet Program?