Stalling is the most interesting and controversial call in wrestling. Officials must have a complete knowledge of what stalling really is – how to identify it, how to recognize it, how to make the call and "sell the call."

As stated by the rules book, “each wrestler is required to make an honest attempt to stay within the 10-foot circle and wrestler aggressively, regardless of position or the time or score of the match. Action is to be maintained throughout the match…

The book also states that “the defensive wrestler is not stalling when overpowered.”

That’s why it’s critical that an official establish a philosophy on stalling. Mine is quite simple. I have learned that stalling is not just a wrestler being inactive. Rather, stalling by a wrestler is calculated and a strategic inactivity.

More on my philosophy:

• When you think a wrestler is stalling, he or she probably is.
• Don't let the coaches or fans beat you to the call. Timing really is everything.
• Be fair to the kids.
• Call stalling when you recognize it without hesitation or remorse.
• Don't be cognizant of what period it is or time on the clock. Make the call.
• Be confident enough to call stalling.
• You will get in more trouble for not making the call than to just call it.
• Stalling calls should be consistent across all weight classes.
• When you make the stall call, communicate verbally to the wrestlers.
• Remember, it is an official’s job to warn or penalize when stalling is recognized.

Referees that are confident and consistent with their stall calls are sought by coaches. All anyone should expect is constant and aggressive competition between two wrestlers. Anything less is stalling.

To penalize the bottom wrestler for stalling is thought by some to be the hardest to call. If you are a former wrestler, think back to when you wrestled as the down wrestler. Suddenly it all comes back to memory and feel. You really do know when the bottom wrestler is stalling because you've been there. Here are some common down-wrestler stalling tactics.

• No attempt to initiate an escape move and remains satisfied with a base. After an amount of time, the bottom wrestler should be at least moving.
• After the top wrestler comes off the hips creating space with no pressure on the hips, watch if the bottom wrestler is content to just lie on the mat belly down. The bottom wrestler should raise his hips and work. Anything less is stalling. A wrestler must attempt to improve his or her position.
• Lying on the mat with the elbows tucked into the body and not initiating a move beyond normal reaction time. This position gives little chance for the fall.
• Moving only to counter or block the offensive wrestler. This is a tough call to recognize, however officials must determine if the bottom wrestler is making an attempt to improve his or her position or simply avoiding an opportunity for the top wrestler to turn the bottom wrestler.
• Grasping the opponent's hands (arms) and just hanging on. Can you see where this and the tactic mentioned above are similar? When doing this and making no attempt to improve should be considered stalling.
• More obviously, a wrestler with the head on the mat, balling up, or watching the clock. This is particularly easy when the top wrestler is applying no pressure. Remember, looking at the clock is not automatically stalling.
• Repeated locking on to one or both legs when the top wrestler comes out front. The key here is repeated because an official always have the option of calling a stalemate in this situation.
• Repeatedly crawling out of the 10-foot circle, to the edge, or even out of bounds with no attempt to improve his or her position would constitute stalling. This is often used as an attempt to get a breather.

The most difficult aspect of wrestling is to understand stalling. Officials must develop a philosophy that will get them through any and all situations.

Good officiating isn't something that starts day one in an officiating career. Rather, it comes after years of time on the mat, watching and learning from the top officials either in person and watching videos. With advanced technology, we now can watch hours of wrestling to help become a better official. Officials must sacrifice time and expense to constantly improve their officiating skills. They must put in the time and pay their dues.

This is where the best officials are recognized above the good referees. The goal should be to be the best and never satisfied being just good.