JULY 9, 2015
TO: SOUTHERN PLAINS COACHES & STATE LEADERS
FR: RUSTY DAVIDSON
RE: NATIONAL COACHES COUNCIL
Coaches, Referees and Leaders,
A week from today, we begin our annual “Greatest Show on Earth” ! I look forward to seeing you and your kids. Many of you have just finished your intensive camps and are feeling well-prepared. The rest will finish up in the next few days.
In regards to Rules and Refs… prepare to relax. (It’s OK… nobody will tell on you !) Things are good. It’s possible some of you saw a new memo from UWW, released through USAW and Coach Dominguez, this morning. It addresses “Adjustments” to freestyle. PLEASE… don’t panic !
The “Adjustments” are no surprise and they are just that: adjustments. They simply eliminate a couple of differences between FS and GR, that have arisen from the work UWW did on Greco rules earlier. It’s all a Good Thing.
EVERY turn scores TWO. If you cross your own back, during the execution of your own turn, there can be no consequence (the dreaded ‘Auto-Touche’ is gone). If you step out in the process of FINISHING, you score. If you step out in a LEGITIMATE attempt that has the opponent lifted but doesn’t finish, it’ll be waved off. If you step out defending, making some half-assed attempt, or for any other reason, you need to expect to give up ONE point. If you just SHOVE an opponent out, expect NOT to get a point.
So… is there some room for error, for judgment, some ambiguity in this ? Yes, there is. Should it cost an athlete their focus or cost them a match ? Absolutely not. You, the Coach, keep your head in the game. Communicate with this well-prepared kid. Get the offense rolling and get the point back.
The only other area, even the least gray, will be the diagnosis and penalizing of Passivity. The rules we’re wrestling under are great, compared to not long ago. As time goes on, refereeing crews will continue to get better at understanding passivity. So will we, as Coaches. Until then, prepare kids to eat a call… and find ways to profit from it.
Really, nobody is planning to see much passivity in the Cadet and Junior competition. Still, there does come a time when the crew simply HAS TO pick one and call him/her passive. It might be your kid. Have a plan !
Remember: A freestyle match cannot go beyond two minutes, at Zero-Zero, without somebody going on the clock. In these age groups, there is NO forced par terre, in Greco.
That’s the deal with Rules and Refs. Please, if something jumps up, find me ! I’ll either answer your question or get you face to face with someone who can.
Here’s the schedule of meetings, I know about, in Fargo. I’m sure Mike Juby will chime in, with notice of our Region get-togethers. Everybody gets exhausted in Fargo. That said, your voice is important. Study the detailed scheduled (
www.themat.com/events) and get where you need to be.
The first National Coaches Council meeting of the week is MONDAY, from 5:00 to 6:00. Ironically, it coincides with a “Coaches Burger Bash”, from 4:30 to 6:00. Please… I agree… Free food is Good Food… but get at least One from your state to bring their burger to the meeting ! There’s no limit. All of our Coaches are welcome ! The Council needs your voice, and it’s an opportunity for the Southern Plains to stay out in front.
There’s another Social for Coaches, Wednesday evening, 7:30. This one is sponsored by the Millers at All-American Sports. Grab a beer and a snack, but don’t forget to say Thanx, to Dave and Joe, for the things they do for wrestling.
Our second National Coaches Council meeting is on THURSDAY, from 7:30 to 9:00. Again, please get at least one person from your state there. All are welcome.
The National Coaches Council is set up to be a “Hot Line” for USAW’s Coaches to make an impact. Speaking for the Southern Plains, Coach Hag and I are constantly pushing to strengthen your voice. I know there are other Council Members, from other regions, who are equally passionate in supporting our Grass Roots.
Please don’t hesitate to bring me, or any Council member, your ideas. It’s our job to give those ideas wings (or at least wheels… OK maybe a Walker).
If something’s burning at you, while we’re in Fargo, please TEXT it to me: 505.980.9041.
Have a great week. I look forward to seeing you.
Ciao,
Rusty