Nigel,

I think you misinterpreted what I was getting at. We are both in agreement that there are other avenues that need explored before an ejection occurs.

Those avenues are as follows:

1. Parental guidance in what's acceptable and what's not. Throwing a fit is not acceptable.

2. Coach's expectations. Most coaches (I'd say all) coaches express to their athletes what is acceptable and what is not. This is the line, do not cross it.

If neither of those avenues work or if the athlete chooses not to follow them then the third comes into play.

3. Officials. An infraction is made, call it.

I would liken the fits to teens breaking the law. For example we learn at a young age it's illegal to steal. Mom and dad tell us at a very young age that it's not acceptable. When we get to school, we are taught stealing is wrong. Now most of us follow that simple rule - do not steal. However, there are individuals out there that either 1) prefer to learn the hard way or 2) have no parental support/guidance on the laws of society. Theoretically, we don't care if Tommy has had a rough life - he broke our laws, got caught and now must pay the penalty.

The same holds true in wrestling. There have been or should have been better guidance from a variety of options, but when unacceptable behavior/unsportsmanlike happens - it's up to the official to make the call. They are like a judge and when you appear before the judge, you better straighten up.

I've only been thrown out of 1 tournament in my life and I was 21 at the time. I let my emotions get the best of me and I told an official he did a crappy job of calling an illegal hold (I still maintain it was legal, but I lost my composure). We were in the state semis and I was coaching a kid that was having an excellent tourney.

When he threw me out, I knew I crossed the line, walked over to him and said, "I know I'm out and I apologize for my beharior." I watched the rest of the tourney from the bleachers.

Kids know right from wrong. Letting them pick and choose how to act without ramifications is wrong. When you are the end of the line, you are to make the appropriate call - not defer it back to the parents/coaches. That's all I'm saying.