I need some clarification on the following topic:

Is the top wrestler listed on a bracket suppose to wear a red singlet? So, the bottom wrestler then wears blue.


In almost every match we had at Desert Vista (3/6), the opposing wrestler was wearing red even if they were the bottom wrestler. It made for a lot of confusion among the referees, score keepers and coaches.

Is there a USAW ruling on singlet colors?

Top wrestler is red. If someone doesn't have a red or blue at our local tournaments, we won't DQ them, but we'll ask that one change to blue, if they have it, or at least a different colour, because of the reason you cited, it makes it difficult for the refs.

If you plan to travel anywhere out of state for a regional or national, don't expect any sympathy, wrestlers do get DQ'd for not being in the proper colour singlet.

Thanks for your response!

At the 2007 wester regionals in klamath falls oregon. the kids that had the stock Arizona singlets that look like the grand canyon were told that they were neither blue enough or red enough to use for the event. most kids then switched over to fairly plain reversables.
seen it happen.

The real deal is that pepole are not thinking with there heads!They are letting these high school kids ref the matches and they are not doing a good job!Come on pepole get the good refs out

Are you referring to the 7 nationally registered mat officials that we have in this state (one of whom serves as Treasurer)? If that's the case, we'll be extending the tournaments to 2-day affairs, as well as cutting out the rookie, bantam and intermediate divisions, in order to be able to accommodate your request. Depending on entry numbers, Open will have to be axed, as well.

Of course, we could try and draw out the AIA officials who do not officiate FS/GR, but depending on the amount of entries, you'll most likely be paying a $25-$35 entry fee per style, so that we can pay them comparably to what they would get for an AIA HS tournament.

And to be fair to our refs, it is confusing to be forced to ref a match with the same colour singlet. There is a reason the rule is in place and it is strictly enforced above the local level, even though we always have 3-person officiating crews at these tournaments.

We are always looking for help, though and have plenty of shirts, wristbands and whistles if you would like to help us out though. We meet at 9 a.m., and there is a sign up list in the pairing room starting at approx. 8:30 a.m. We will also be more than happy to help you get your national certification and travel to some out-of-state tournaments to become one of the "good refs," if you so desire.