Welcome to the journey of becoming a wrestling official! Whether you're a seasoned wrestling enthusiast or new to the sport, officiating offers a unique and rewarding way to stay involved. Wrestling officials play a critical role in ensuring fair competition and maintaining the integrity of the sport. This page will give an overview of the steps to become a certified wrestling official and provide valuable insights into the profession.
Why Become a Wrestling Official? Officiating is more than just making calls on the mat. It's about contributing to the sport, promoting fair play, and supporting the development of athletes. Here are a few reasons to consider becoming a wrestling official:
- Stay Engaged: Stay connected to the sport you love.
- Give Back: Support your local wrestling community and help shape the next generation of wrestlers.
- Personal Growth: Develop leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and confidence.
- Networking: Join a community of dedicated professionals and enthusiasts.
Requirements To become a wrestling official, you typically need to meet certain criteria, which may vary by region and governing body. The Requirements and Qualifications page gives specific details. Generally though:
- Age: No minimum age for USA Wrestling. Must be at least entering 9th grade in order to officiate middle school events and below for KSHSAA.
- Knowledge: A solid understanding of wrestling rules and regulations.
- Training: While not required, taking an officiating course like those offered by RefRight is recommended.
- Certification: Pass a certification exam administered by KSHSAA if certifying at that level. Attendance at a mandatory rules meeting is also required for KSHSAA certification. For USA Wrestling certification, there is a mandatory SafeSport course, and a criminal background check.
Steps to Becoming an Official
- Learn the Rules
- Attend a Training Clinic
- Participate in a local officiating clinic or seminar. These events provide hands-on training, rule interpretations, and practical officiating techniques. Check our Events page for upcoming clinics that will be offered.
- Pass the Certification Exam
- If you intended to be high school certified, you will take a 100 question open book test which is designed to get you to open the rules book and reference rules pertaining to the questions. Only 50 questions are presented during the test but you'll need to know the answers to all 100.
- Gain Practical Experience
- Start by officiating at youth, middle school, or high school matches. This will help you gain experience and confidence. Many associations offer mentorship programs where experienced officials guide newcomers.
- Stay Updated
- Wrestling rules and interpretations can change. Stay informed by attending annual clinics, workshops, and continuous education programs. Joining a local officiating association can also provide ongoing support and updates. RefRight intends to implement a mentor program in the future where you can be paired up with a veteran official who will work with you one on one at the same event in your rotation. This will not only make you feel more secure in your first few events knowing you have backup when you mess up, but can also give you valuable perspectives and tips along the way.
Benefits of Officiating Becoming a wrestling official comes with numerous benefits:
- Compensation: Officials are often paid per match or event.
- Fitness: Officiating can be physically demanding, offering a way to stay active.
- Travel Opportunities: Officiating can take you to different regions and tournaments.
- Personal Fulfillment: There's a great sense of accomplishment in contributing to the sport.
Join Our Officiating Team Ready to take the first step? Our wrestling community is always looking for dedicated and passionate individuals to join the ranks of officials. If you're interested in becoming an official, contact us or visit our upcoming events page for information on the next training clinic.
