Felt the need to make mention of this. In the past CoachJT has been moderating this forum and I have recently been asked to. Don't know if I like that responsibility or not but will give it a shot. What I want to say is my belief in the moderation of the forum. First it is a Kids Folkstyle Forum. For those that know me you know that I don't mind having a little fun, and actually think there is a place for some good ol satire and enjoyment. I also believe that we have a responsibility to follow guidelines and I am in the middle of learning those guidelines regarding forum moderation. One of the things I know right off the bat though is that calling out a kid by name in a negative manner is out of bounds, especially when done by name. There is actually a good piece of advice in the Bible that I need to live better by myself, that is; “If you can’t say something good about someone don’t say anything at all.” That being said when negative comments about a specific child are made, I will likely delete those posts.

Now that being said does that mean that you can't criticize? The answer is no. I believe that situations, coaches, and clubs depending on the situation are within bounds, but children are not. I also believe it is possible to describe situations without mentioning anyone and be within the rules of the forum and that for all ages that is a good rule to follow. An example here could include a recent post that mentioned a child being bitten and why the child doing the biting was allowed to continue. There was also a recent post mentioning several rules violations of a specific child, again, bring up the situation, those issues are legitimate, but remember we are talking about minor children not adults in these situations. Now if you see an adult or coach misbehaving, that is something I will have to evaluate the rules of the forum on, I am not yet to that page of directions on being a forum moderator yet and I have a lot to learn. I do know that sometimes life gives you guidelines or rules, and that a part of my responsibility is to learn those and abide by them, even though I may not agree with them. If I were to choose to violate those, which may happen at times in life, then I must be willing to accept the consequences of that violation. I will say this, this weekend at state, I had one individual tell me that if it were up to them they would do away with the forum all together because it gets to personal and out of bounds at times. I’m not saying I agree with that comment, but that there are those who do and as a result we have an obligation to respect the rules of the forum. If one don’t I guess they could start their own Kansas wrestling forum, shucks the link to that site would be an appropriate post.

All of that being said, lets find positive ways to promote the sport, which may at times include bringing out the negative behaviors, but hopefully at the same time respecting the minor, (underage) children, even though some of them may have obviously learned bad behavior from their parents. Thanks

Good call.

That's all.

Well, also congrats to your son, Nathan, on his victories.

Mike first of all I would like to thank you for taking this post off. I did not have a chance to read it and it is probably better that I did not but I heard about it from another person who did read it and from what he told me I would like to answer what I heard. My son does have a bad attitude when he loses but I promise it is better than it use to be because I will move him up 2 weight classes where I know he will lose some matches and learn how to control his emotions when he does lose(which has happened more than once) and will do this with any other kids on our club or scratch them from a tournment which has happened this year with another kid on our club this year. And by doing this is how he has gotten better with it. He is very competitive and hates to lose and this is not something he learned from his parents or other coaches. The only thing I ask, not only my son but of all the wrestlers with the club is to give 100% both on and off the mat and we will always pat them on the back win or lose!!!
Again Mike thanks

Ron Rhea
Pres./Head Folkstyle Coach
Wichita East Wrestling Club

Mike I made the post, and have to say I did so without thinking big picutur. You are absolutley correct, and I apologize.

Can you tell me the rule as far as continuing in the case where someone has been bit?

Regards,

whitetail, to be honest I don't know the rules regarding this. I would imagine that the rules myster himself Richard, Nigel, Randy or a number of others would be able to post the specifics of the rules regarding biting or things of this nature. I would think that if determined to be flagrant it is obvious grounds for disqualification, how that is determined I don't know. The discussion of a violation can be positive for the sport without the mention of names. It is one of the ways we can learn something that may be other than a “judgment call” so we can adequately present our case to an official when it occurs on the mat. I appreciate your willingness to come on and give a clarification; it is a good start to make sure things are not taken the wrong way or a child or youth is hurt.

biting by rule is flagrant misconduct.
flagrant misconduct is removal for the remainder of the event

From the 2003-2004 NFHS Rules Book, Rule 7-4-3, page 28: ..."If in the opinion of the referee,a wrestler bites an opponent this will be deemed as intentional biting and will be called as flagrant misconduct."

By definition, flagrant misconduct carries a penalty of "disqualify on first offense, deduct 2 team points and remove from the premises immediately for the duration of the event. Contestant is eliminated from further competition for the remainder of a dual meet, multiple school event or tournament and no team points can be earned.

With taht being said, why was that rule not followed at the state meet?

It was decided that it was intentional, and the match was stoped, and then 10 minutes later it was reversed and the match continued...really though, I am just curious, as I am relatively new to wrestling.

Thanks,