…on Proper Reporting to the Score Table in Dual Meets
By Dr. Bill Welker
Did you know?
At the beginning of each dual meet, the captains are directed to the middle of the mat for the flipping of the green-and-red disk. This is done to determine which team must send its wrestlers to the score table first at the beginning of each weight class match. This is nothing new, but still, there may be a fact of which you are not aware.
Note if both the wrestlers report to the mat in proper sequence, they can't be withdrawn, without facing disqualification. But what if they don't report to the score table in proper sequence? Allow me to explain.
Team A has weighed in two wrestlers at the 106 pounds weight class - Bill and Bob, and Team B has two wrestlers there as well - Tom and Tim. At the 106 weight category, via the disk toss, Team B is required to have its wrestler report to the score table first. Instead, Bill from Team A reports to the score table first. Then Team B has Tom report to the score table. At this point, the coach from Team A withdraws Bill and sends Bob to the score table.
Can the coach from Team A do that?
The answer is "yes" because the Team B wrestler was supposed to report to the score table first. On the other hand, can Team B withdraw Tom and replace him with Tim. The answer is "no" because the team whose wrestler must report to the score table first can not be withdraw without disqualification.
Now you know.
Technical Violations
(Part Two)
There are five technical violations in wrestling. Today we will discuss the last four technical violations. All but one technical violation (Incorrect Starting Position or False Starts) are penalized via the progressive penalty chart in the following manner:
" First Offense: One match point for the opponent
" Second Offense: One match point for the opponent
" Third Offense: Two Match points for the opponent
" Fourth Offense: Disqualification
Let's now take a look at the last three technical violations: Interlocking or Overlapping Hands, Reporting to the Mat Not Ready to Wrestle, and the Incorrect Starting Position or False Start.
Interlocking or Overlapping Hands
The top or offensive wrestler can only lock hands around his opponent's body or both legs when he is scoring near-fall points, or his opponent stands up with all his weight on his feet. Now should the defensive or bottom man score points while the top man commits this technical violation, he would receive all the points he scored plus a penalty point(s) for the violation.
Note, the official can only stop the match if he feels the bottom man can not score escape or reversal points due to the interlocking or overlapping hands technical violation.
Reporting to the Mat Not Ready to Wrestle
A wrestler must be properly attired and ready to wrestle when call to the mat by the official, or he will be penalized with a technical violation. He also loses one of his two time-outs. If he cannot rectify the problem regarding his attire within the one minute and thirty required or his opponent wins by default.
Incorrect Starting Position or False Start
It is a technical violation for a wrestler to assume an incorrect starting position in the neutral or referee's position. The also includes false starts in both positions. Note, unlike the other six technical violations, the first two incidents in this category are merely cautioned (the referee forms a "C" with his hand). The penalty is enforced on the third incident. Furthermore, this is the only technical violation that is not included in the progressive penalty. One penalty point is always awarded for this technical violation, no matter how often it occurs in a match.
Mini-Mat Quiz
Q: While Wrestler A is riding Wrestler B, Wrestler A locks his hands around Wrestler B's left leg. Immediately, the referee signals locked hands and stops the match. Was the official right?
A: The answer is "NO." A wrestler may lock his hands around one leg.
Mat Notes
Next week is the final "West Virginia Mat Thoughts" column of the season. It is also the column in which we announce the Ohio and West Virginia OVAC Wrestlers of the Year. Who do you think they will be?
Mat Message
"It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water."
-- Franklin P. Jones
(Dr. Bill Welker can be reached via e-mail at: mattalkwv@hotmail.com)
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PAST OVAC WRESTLER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
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The following are the past Ohio and West Virginia wrestlers receiving the
prestigious OVAC Wrestlers of the Year Award:
1988 - John Crain, Oak Glen
Rick Burlenski, Bridgeport
1989 - Dave Wood, Cameron
Dunyasha Yetts, Steubenville
1990 - Ed Neely, Weirton Madonna
Babe Sidon, Martins Ferry
1991 - Eric Potts, Cameron
Scott DeYarmon, Buckeye Local
1992 - R. C. Anderson, Cameron
John Gilbeaut, Union Local
1993 - Ryan Dudas, Cameron
Kelly Shields, Edison
1994 - Chad Burge, Cameron
Ryan Slack, Shadyside
1995 - Jason Taylor, Wheeling Park
Brian Roskovich, Bridgeport
1996 - Josh Giovengo, Bishop Donahue
Eric Anderson, Bellaire St. John's
1997 - Dewitt Stanley, Brooke
Sean Doyle, Buckeye Local
1998 - Chad Pratz, Linsly
Travis Clark, Union Local
1999 - Alex McClung, Oak Glen
Matt Salsberry, East Liverpool
2000 - Steve Ochap, Wheeling Park
Scott Roth, Martins Ferry
2001 - Eric Noel, Oak Glen
Cole Bowersock, Beaver Local
2002 - Derrick Sickles, Oak Glen
John Tierney, Martins Ferry
2003 - Phil Bliss, Brooke
David Berolino, Buckeye Local
2004 - Casey Hughes, Cameron
Koel Davia, Union Local
2005 - Dustin Richey, John Marshall
Clay Tucker, Martins Ferry
2006 - Rhett Northcraft, Oak Glen
Willie Saxton, Buckeye Local
2007 - Ronnell Green, Wheeling Park
James Myers, Indian Creek
2008 - Zach Basich, Wheeling Central
Bryan Skoff, Bridgeport
2009 - Dirk Bauer, Wheeling Park
Robbie Chilson, Bellaire
2010 - Max Nogay, Weirton Madonna
Dylan Ice, Beaver Local
2011 - Kyle Bauer, Wheeling Park
Dominic Prezzia, St. Clairsville