I remember, I think, Taylor Moeder getting dq'd a few years back on a really questionable slam call. Several were outraged by it, then when you watched it, it was 50/50 whether it should have been called.......or who was that??

I watched the match. Was it a slam? In my opinion, yes. Did Blake intend to hurt Yetmar, I doubt it. Was it physical, yes. Should Blake stop being physical? No. I'm not sure I saw Yetmar attempting a granby but it's hard to say. Ultimately, it's the offensive wrestlers responsibility to return his opponent to the mat safely.

I've seen the video and it was the right call. It does not appear that Bailey attempted to gramby. Comes to his feet to work the hands. Gets his right hand trapped and looks like Like he turns back to his left looking clear his hips for a switch while being lifted. Add some assertiveness and over rotation on the return and its going to be very difficult to return safely once you have hit the lift that hard. It is an unfortunate series of events as Bailey is done for the year.

I am sorry to hear that Bailey is done for this year. He was wrestling exceptionally well and looked determined to make a good run at State. As I said before, from my vantage point it looked like a pretty rough ride to the mat. I wish him well and look forward to seeing his progress again next year.

From the eyewitnesses, it appears that the call was within the rules. A slam, like all "unnecessary roughness" calls, is in the eye of the beholder. Nobody likes to see an injury or a flaky call/no call that ends up deciding the match. No matter whether this slam call gets made or not someone would think it was the wrong call/no call.

How rough is too rough is not always clear. I see kids do all kinds of things that have no wrestling purpose but are just punishing moves--rubbing heads, forearm on the neck, elbow in the back, head slaps, choke holds, gut-wrenching scissors, and rubbing a forearm across the nose. Just goofy kid's stuff and some MMA submission ideas leaking into "folks style" wrestling. Most coaches don't complain when you call it, but every once in a while they give the "wrestling is a tough sport, combat, sport, etc., which is true, of course, but its not boxing, MMA, or a beat down. It is supposed to be an honorable contest between two sportsman.

The season is over without a chance to wrestle regionals and go to state for Bailey. He has a concussion without any neck injury. Also, the CT scan showed no bleeding in the brain. Bailey is taking it easy and recovering. He is ready to get back to mat and wrestle again.

You are correct. That may have applied in this situation, or it may not. It is tough to tell. I stand corrected.

I know everyone wants to see a video, but remember that the official(s) don't have that luxury or angle. You have to call it as you see it, and if you feel it was excessive, then you need to call it without hesitation. As Mr. Ford said, it's not a call that is comfortable to make, but that is exactly what we signed on for.

Does anybody know where people are seeing this video? I checked youtube and wasn't on there. Can someone post it so we can see for ourself? I'd like to know how referees (or at least one referee) calls a slam as I have seen numerous situations I thought were slams which were not called and others called that were very questionable.

I am sorry to hear that Bailey is out for the year. Brian Morelan, 23-13 freshman & 120 lb. Sunflower league runner up is also out for the rest the season. Tore his ACL last night at practice.

2011-12 Case Book Example, Page 43, Rule 7, 7.1.1:

"7.1.1 Situation A: Wrestler A lifts the opponent off the mat and, while Wrestler B is in the air struggling to get free, Wrestler A loses control and Wrestler B falls to the mat. Would this be considered a slam? Ruling: When you lift your opponent off the mat you are responsible for a safe return to the mat. If you lose control and Wrestler B falls to the mat with unneccesary force, a slam shall be called without hesitation."

This is unfortunate as well. Anytime that a wrestler is knocked out of competition this time of year it is a sad deal. This won't make the situation better for those who are closest to this young man, but he still has three more years to make some noise at State. Good luck on your road to recovery.