Previously I have taken my daughters team to the Meridian Classic 3v3 Tournament. This year I took Aidan’s team, despite the fact they are a 7 year old team playing up into the 8 year old division. I knew they would have a tough time winning any games. The goal was just to stay competitive with the other teams. That goal was accomplished, and aside from losing games, the boys had a good time. We had a great name too, the Blue Bad Boys!
Preparing for last weekends ref work I reviewed UFC 90 through 98, focusing on referees and how they dealt with different situations. Especially Yves Lavigne’s recent calls that have earned a fair amount of criticism. On one hand, you expect a seasoned, experienced referee not to make mistakes. However, having been in the same situations, making the same mistakes, it is very hard to get very upset with him. When you are focused on protecting someone from a serious injury, mistakes involving early stoppages is easy to do. Let’s face it, no matter how hard you try or how good you are, you will make mistakes.
People do not quite understand how difficult the job is with the multitude of things to worry about, usually happening at breakneck speed. Are you stopping the fight too early, ruining months of hard work? Maybe you are stopping a fight too late resulting in a dangerous knockout or injury. Have I missed an illegal strike, especially those sneaky inside leg kicks and knee strikes to the groin? Are they faking a low kick to get a breather? Did someone pop in a submission too quickly, breaking something before a player can tap out. Not to mention a good ref keeps the action exciting, while allowing fighters in dominate, yet boring positions continue. It is an amazing balancing act.
I am traveling to Texas today, on my way to meet up with some old friends for a week. The Denver Airport has free wireless internet, pretty fast wireless internet.
I spent yesterday in Spokane, Washington at the Northern Quest Casino reffing Conquest of the Cage. The fights will be on the Fox Sports Network (FSN), Friday Night at 11:00 PM PST. I know for sure it is showing on the west coast but I have no idea about the rest of the planet.
Watch it! There are some really nice fights and you can check out my bald head.
Aaron started wrestling in third grade. In those days we traveled to every tournament we could. He did extremely well. Moving to Bellingham killed his progress as we had trouble finding a club. As a result the wrestling work suffered until he reached middle school.
His first two seasons with middle school where good, he certainly won more than he lost. Last year we decided to make a concentrated effort so he would kick butt for the final middle school year and get him focused for high school.
Over the summer he did five weeks of intensive camps. He started lifting, running, and wrestling with me. There were days I knew he did not want to do it, but he never complained about it. On top of that he has been working out with the high school teams whenever possible. The team and coach from the opposing high school has been asking me almost daily to transfer him to their school next year.
His first wrestling jamboree was last Friday. He wrestled up a weight class and set goals for the matches as the meet was just for practice. For example, he wanted to work the leg ride and to stay away from the half nelson.
Here is the result! A few mistakes, but he is already working on fixing them.
Here is the team!
Aidan taking a goal kick.
The boys had more fun hanging on the goals then anything else.
Talking strategy with the team.
