I ran a ring for the first time at a tournament this weekend. It was interesting to say the least.
It was a small tournament with a limited number of blackbelts to help. First of all when the director called for people to be in charge of rings I thought the third dans would step up, but not all of them did. My instructor enouraged me to, so I stepped up. I didn't really have a problem with this because I figured that I've cornered and judged before, so I'll just have more responsibility but do the same job, and the others in my ring will help me.
Now there is a problem. Two first dans with no tournament judging or cornering experience line up behind me to help in my ring. That's all I had too, because it was so small.
Now this is why black belts should be trained at their gym before trying to help out at a tournament... Don't just sit around in your corner watching the center ref equip the fighters, get up and help. CALL FOR POINTS and do it loud enough so that the center can year you. DON'T WALK AWAY FROM YOUR RING, and if you have to at least keep an eye on it.
So that was frustrating, but I kept my cool and talked to them between groups about what they need to be doing (not in front of the competators), so hopefully now they will do better at their next tournament.
Anyone else have some frustrating tournament experiences?
