Successful athletes know that there are no shortcuts to success. Hard work during the offseason is paramount to a successful competition season. While the offseason provides a chance for rest and rejuvenation, athletes recognize that they cannot sit back and wait for the next competition season to begin. Just as athletes train and prepare for their respective sports during the offseason, wrestling referees must prepare as well. It is incumbent upon referees to dedicate the same level of effort during the offseason in preparation for the regular season.

Unlike the athlete who has the luxury of building upon the physical and mental foundations established through offseason preparation, and who can "wrestle into shape" as the season progresses, officials are not afforded that opportunity. Sports officials in general and scholastic wrestling referees specifically have a fiduciary duty to the athletes to be ready from the first day of the competition season through to the last day of the tournament season. This means that referees have to be in top physical and mental shape as soon as the season opens.

Oftentimes, we hear the adage that athletes are responsible for their own actions. This also applies to referees. Responsibility means more than accountability for the decisions referees make during the course of a match, and the way they conduct ourselves off of the mat. Being responsible for one’s own actions is also about the responsibility to be fully prepared to officiate on the first day the season.

Being ready to officiate on the first day of competition requires the creation and implementation of an offseason development plan. There are a number of elements or components of "development" that can be listed to give an idea of the responsibilities that referees should be thinking about. Several of these key components are discussed below.

Rest and relaxation

First and foremost, I am a firm believer in downtime. After a long and arduous competition season, take several weeks off away from the grind. Referees’ bodies and minds need a chance to rest and recuperate. Following a sufficient rest period, referees should be ready to get back into the fold for their next venture.

Goal-setting

• As in any organized athletic endeavor, establishing offseason goals is essential for the wrestling referee. In setting offseason goals, consider the following:
• At what level (varsity, junior varsity, middle school and/or youth) will the officiating activity take place?
• How much time will the referee invest?
• Identify weaknesses and seek to improve.
• Are postseason officiating assignments important?
• Does the referee aspire for a state tournament assignment?

Higher aspirations require the investment of more time and preparation. The referee’s goals must be balanced against work and family considerations. Family "buy-in" is very important. Regardless of the level at which the referee desires to work, it is imperative to strive to be the best.

Physical Fitness and Nutrition

The adage "you never have a second chance to make a good first impression" is paramount to officiating. The referee who looks fit and in shape commands respect from the onset of walking onto the mat. The referee who is out of breath, out of position, and cannot keep up with the action does the sport a grave disservice. In tournament or multiple-school event venues, referees who require and take long recovery breaks shirk their responsibility to their fellow referees. Accordingly, offseason conditioning is important in maintaining the referee’s edge on the mat and good standing with his or her peers.

Before engaging in any physical activity, however, referees should not forget to consult their personal physician to obtain a medical clearance. In fact, an annual pre-season physical is one of the most important steps referees can take before walking onto the mat. Here are some recommendations for keeping fit during the offseason.

• Stretch on a daily basis.
• Engage in resistance or weight training.
• Participate in cardiovascular activities (walk, run, swim or cycle).
• Take part in a recreational sport.
• Officiate or coach a spring, summer and/or a fall sport.

This list is not exhaustive. The key is to participate in an activity that allows the referee to keep physically active during the offseason. Stay away from leading a sedentary lifestyle. Many referees choose to officiate year-round as the postscholastic wrestling season gets underway (e.g., youth, freestyle, Greco-Roman) or in other spring summer and fall sports. These sports also require referees to possess a high fitness level, so engaging in a formal offseason fitness program becomes optional. Referees should remember, however, to take some time off between seasons and ease themselves back into more specific fitness regimens as the wrestling season approaches.

Proper diet and nutrition goes hand-in-hand with physical fitness. A moderate fitness program coupled with good dietary practices will help referees control those unwanted pounds. Sound nutrition is not only good for the physical state, but also aids in keeping a sharp mindset necessary for the multitude of split-second decisions referees make during the course of calling a match. Referees should talk to their personal physicians or dieticians about a nutrition plan that is best suited to them.

Knowledge of the Rules

How many of us have not opened the NFHS Wrestling Rules Book since the end of the previous season? To those who have not, they are missing a great opportunity to get a jumpstart on the new season. This is a good time to review the rules and reconcile the rules with the wrestling situations outlined in the NFHS Case Book. While new rules books for the upcoming season by and large do not arrive until a month or two before the season begins, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) publishes its new rules proposals and announces the rules that are actually adopted in late spring and early summer, respectively. Reading the rules book during the offseason is the obvious way of staying current, but more importantly, having an understanding of proper rules application and their interaction with other rules is essential. There is no better way to instill confidence on the mat than being in command of the rules and knowing how to apply them. Other suggestions to gain a better understanding of the rules and their application are as follows:

• Attend courses, clinics and local wrestling officials’ association rules discussions to update knowledge prior to season. Many associations hold several meetings before the onset of the season.
• Join a local wrestling coaches association. This is a good forum for constructive interaction between coaches and referees leading to the exchange of ideas, philosophies and perspectives on rules and their application.
• Attend local officials’ association meetings other than your own to gain a broader perspective of other officiating philosophies.
• Become active as a trainer or mentor in your local officials association. 
• Review NFHS new rules announcements and understand the philosophies behind the changes.
• Visit offseason practice rooms, and volunteer to officiate wrestle-offs and/or scrimmages.
• Continually consult more-experienced referees for their views and experiences - they are an excellent resource in the offseason.

Psychological Preparation

Mental toughness and how referees  cope with and focus on a developing situation on the mat starts well before the season begins. Mental toughness is the ability of a referee to concentrate on the match without being distracted by coaches and/or fans. It is the capability to expeditiously address and rectify a developing situation with confidence, poise and consistency. It is about having the self-assurance to openly admit that the referee made a mistake and is wrong. Mental toughness is not being arrogant, obstinate and/or inflexible when approached by a wrestler or a coach. Mental toughness is all about confidence, and confidence is built upon the foundation blocks of being physically fit and having a keen knowledge of the rules and their application.

Being in shape allows referees to effortlessly move with the action and properly position themselves to see the situation critical to making a call. Physical fitness lends itself to a positive self-image which in turn affects how others perceive the referee. Having command of the rules instills the confidence that the referee is making the correct call based on the rules. Mastery of the rules and their application must be second nature. During the heat of a hotly contested match, the referee is not afforded the luxury of time to "think" about the requisite rule and how to apply it. Concentration and focus are predicated on the ability to instantaneously apply a rule to a given situation without thought. Once the referee’s concentration and focus are broken (by the distraction of having to think about a rule and its application), he or she is in jeopardy of losing control of the situation and possibly the match. Rules, procedures and their implementation should come naturally during matches, allowing the referee more time to concentrate and focus on other skills and techniques that affect decision-making.

Equipment and Uniform

Establishing authority over a match begins with the referee’s appearance. The condition of the uniform that the referee wears dictates how he or she will be initially perceived. A crisp well-fitting uniform is vital to creating a professional image. An referee should not compromise professionalism by attempting to stretch another season from that faded or worn-out shirt, pair of trousers, or shoes. The offseason is the time to evaluate the condition of the uniform and take an inventory the officiating equipment. Referees should try on the uniform to ensure that it fits properly. They should purchase items that need replacement before the season starts. They should replace faded wrist bands and not forget to sanitize used whistles. For those who officiate multiple events during the week, it is advisable to have several uniforms on hand. Referees should take pride in their appearance regardless of the level they are officiating. Remember that middle school coaches potentially become varsity coaches. Establish a professional image on the ground floor.

Contract Administration

From an administrative perspective, one of the most important tasks a referee must address during offseason is contract administration. All contract dates should be reconciled with the event calendar. There is nothing worse than a no-show referee at a scheduled athletic contest because of a lapse in contract administration.

In many instances, an athletic director or assignor will verbally contact the referee during the offseason to check on his or her availability for a match. The referee commits to the date, but the contract is delayed for some reason. It behooves the referee to check with the hiring authority to obtain the contract. The referee is not obligated to work the event until he or she has the contract in hand. However, professionalism dictates that the referee should follow up with the hiring authority to check on the contract status. Upon receipt of the contract, the referees should sign it and immediately return it to the hiring authority. It is bad practice to "sit on" a contract for an extended period of time. If for some legitimate reason the referee cannot accept the date (due to the delay), he or she should contact the hiring authority as soon as possible and explain the circumstances.

Summary

In creating and implementing the offseason development plan, attention to maintaining a good life balance is paramount. The referee’s employment, family and personal time - along with the elements of the offseason development plan - must be balanced. The design and implementation of an offseason development plan will prepare the referees for a seamless transition from the offseason into the competition season on opening day. Referees owe it to the athletes to be at the top of their game on Day One of the season.