Training and New Members
Uniform and Equipment
Officiating requires an initial investment into the proper attire and equipment to preform our duties. A group of venders that provide these items can be found on our Links page.
Shirt - Grey pin-striped polyester V-Neck shirt. Plan on purchasing at least two shirts. Our chapter also sells shirts with the TWOA logo and American flag already attached.
Pants - Black pants with or without a belt. Length should be 1" or so longer than normal pants. Also, if required, purchase an all black belt. Ones that stretch provide more comfort.
Shoes - Black Cross-Trainer shoes with comfortable innersole. Shoes must not be adorned with any light colored trim. Wrestling shoes are not recommended.
Socks - Black over-the-calf socks make from moisture absorbing material.
Whistle - Black plastic whistle with black lanyard. Fox 40 Classic preferred and recommended.
Wrist Bands - Set of Red/Green wrist bands.
Flip Disk - Red/Green plastic or rubber disk. Octagonal preferred to prevent rolling.
Gear Bag - You'll want a gear bag or back back to carry your supplies around gyms. Something with multiple compartments will help keep you organized and ready.
Training
Training is a key element of membership with the TWOA-DFW. We take great pride in the recruitment and development of new officials. Training begins almost immediately, as we will provide you with all the information you need to get started, including meeting notifications, officiating clinics, and mentorship programs. It is expected that all chapter members will make an honest attempt to attend all scheduled state association and local clinics and meetings.
Meetings - We have meetings approximately every two weeks. In these meetings we discuss events, wrestling scenarios, training opportunities, and chapter business.
State Clinic - We offer two officiating clinics every year. One is the State Clinic in which members from all Texas chapters meet to discuss new rules interpretations, mechanics, and all other statewide officiating business. Attendance is not mandatory but recommended.
Local Clinic - In addition we offer a local clinic. Information presented at the State Clinic is passed down to chapter Presidents and presented to each local chapter throughout the state. Much like the State Clinic we meet to discuss new rules interpretations, mechanics, and all other local officiating business. Attendance to the Local Clinic is mandatory for all members, unless that member attended the State Clinic.
Mentorship
Each new member will be assigned a mentor. This mentor will either live or work in in the same general location as the new official. Your mentor will be with you at duals, tournaments, and events to provide instruction and feedback. Evaluations will be provided to you to uncover your strengths and areas of focus for improvement. When your mentor is not available for your event, the mentorship will be provided by the Head Official at that event. Mentorship is an important part of our chapter as we have great officials with many years of experience, and we have current mentors that are members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. You're in good hands!
Testing
The NFHS provides sports rules tests on a season basis. For wrestling, two tests are provided and are referred to as Part I and Part II Wrestling Rules Tests. The test results are used to satisfy both Association and Chapter membership status criteria and qualification criteria for State Tournament Officials.
PART I - is an "open-book" test. You will receive this years rule book with your paid membership. You have several attempts at this test to obtain a score of 75%. Once complete, your an approved official with our chapter.
PART II - Each official will then take the Part II test. Unlike the Part I test, the Part II test is not "open-book". In addition, you will only have one attempt to pass this test with a score of 85%. For State Tournament Official qualification purposes, a 90% pass rate is required.