JUNE 2018

TO: SOUTHERN PLAINS COACHES & STATE LEADERS
FR: RUSTY DAVIDSON
RE: NATIONAL COACHES COUNCIL

Coaches and Leaders,
I know many of you have been really busy with the Age Group Duals. I need to squeeze this update in, so you have time to consider some of the issues that will be on our plate in Fargo.
First, THANK YOU to you and yours for a great Southern Plains Championship. We are so lucky to be around our region’s kids. The down-home, old-fashioned toughness makes our region shine. I know you play a huge role in managing and directing that toughness. Thank You !
As always, Thanks to Kansas, for all the hard work and preparation. We have all profited from not having to worry about tournament administration. Our State Leaders confirmed that, at the Sunday morning meeting, by awarding the next three-year bid to Kansas.
I know there are states, in our region, that are anxious to host. Many of our states are rich in volunteers and resources. Please don’t think that the rest of us don’t recognize and appreciate your strengths. We do. We’re currently in a routine that’s simply too good to move from. It’s definitely not broken… no need to fix it.
Other agenda items, at our Region Meeting, are worthy of your attention, thought and discussion. Most of these will come up in Fargo’s meetings. Some will go on, for consideration at the State Leader Summit, in August.
Believe me, I know how exhausted we all get, during the competition sessions in Fargo. I’m asking you to ‘gut it out’ and get to the meetings your state leader needs you at. A few of these issues have strong impact on us and our kids. It’s critical that you show up and voice a well-thought opinion.
Here’s a nutshell of the issues discussed at the Sunday morning meeting:
• Two-Piece Uniform. Our region leaders do NOT support this option. That said, this is NOT our ‘Hill to Die On’. There are people in the administrative areas of the sport, whether it’s us, or High School, or College. These people get paid to help us MARKET our presentation. You and I know, full-well, we can adjust to whatever uniform is being worn.
• SafeSport and Membership. This is a pretty big deal. EVERY member of USAW, over the age of 18, needs to complete this training. If you are in the middle of a Two-Year Membership, and have not completed SafeSport, COMPLETE IT NOW ! Things are moving fast. It is my understanding that your membership may be purged July 1st. Take the course and print your results.
• Same Day Weigh Ins at Regional Championship. Another Hill not to Die On. The argument over night-before or same day weigh ins is not new. It will not go away. Fortunately, our modern coaches are far more educated in proper nutrition, hydration and weight management.

• Period Length at Regional and National Championships. This one seems to be the fight ! This year, as you well know, Back-Side matches at USAW Regional and National Cadets and Juniors have been reduced to Two Minute Periods. Our Region Leaders are split on this. Eight voted in support of the practice. Ten voted against. This is going to be a hot topic. Be prepared.

• Election of National Council Chairs. This even-numbered year is when Chairs are elected. Again, please check with your State Chair about which Council Meetings you need to attend, in Fargo.

I want to get back to the PERIOD LENGTH discussion, before I let you go. Many of our finest have been participants in the Cadet and Junior Duals. As we prepare for Fargo, I’m asking you to re-emphasize the change in Period Length, in the back side.
I’m telling you, straight up, it’s really difficult for referees to make the adjustment between three-minute and two-minute periods. And, yet, the rule says they HAVE TO get someone on the clock (Freestyle). Short periods equally box in referees in Greco.
The point is, we’re going to see some calls feeling forced or hurried. We must expose our kids to this pressure, during hot goes, between now and Fargo.
I, for one, will be anxious to see the statistical analysis of initial scoring maneuvers. I think it’s a decent hypothesis that a significant number of initial scores (Both Styles) occur during the second minute. If this has any credibility, the conversation about shortening periods, in the back side, demands more attention.
Enjoy the Final X finale. Thanx for all your efforts !

Rusty


Are you making a POSITIVE difference in the life of kids?

Randy Hinderliter
USAW Kansas
KWCA Rep/Coaches Liaison
Ottawa University Volunteer Assistant