December 11-12, 2026 | Fremont High School Sunnyvale, CAWeigh in and Live Scoring Training to volunteer at the Webber Lawson
Running
Weigh-Ins
You’re at the scale. Three jobs: weigh the wrestler, get the actual weight into USA Bracketing, escalate the weird stuff. Works the same whether the scale is manual or Bluetooth — this guide covers both in about 15 minutes.
What weigh-ins actually do
Weigh-ins are the gate between registration and competition. Three things happen at this station:
- The wrestler steps on a certified scale. You capture the actual weight — reading the display on a manual scale, or letting it auto-fill on a Bluetooth scale.
- That weight gets into USA Bracketing. Either you type it, or the Bluetooth scale types it for you. Either way, the wrestler is now locked into a weight class.
- The system uses those weights to build the brackets. Until weigh-ins are complete, no brackets exist — the event manager can’t pair matches.
That third point is why your pace matters. The whole tournament is waiting on your station.
Before the doors open
Show up 15–30 minutes early. The event manager will hand you the event name and password for USA Bracketing’s worker portal, a certified scale, and a backup paper roster in case the wifi fails. There are no personal accounts for weigh-in work — everyone at the scale uses the same event-specific login.
First thing to check: which scale type are you running? The two common setups have slightly different workflows. Confirm with the event manager which one you’re using before the line starts.
Manual scale
A standalone digital or analog scale. The wrestler steps on, you read the number off the display, and you type it into USA Bracketing yourself.
- You read the weight aloud
- You type the weight into the form
- You save the entry
Bluetooth scale
A wireless scale that connects to the laptop (via USB dongle) or tablet/phone (via app). When the wrestler steps on, the weight auto-types into whatever form field you have selected.
- Click the weight field first
- Wrestler steps on — weight auto-fills
- You verify and save the entry
The job at a glance
Three things happen for every wrestler. The detailed workflow is in the next section, but if you remember nothing else, remember these three:
The weigh-in workflow
Want to see this in action first? Here’s USA Bracketing’s official tutorial — about 4 minutes, walks through the whole flow.
Now the step-by-step. This is the loop you’ll repeat for every wrestler. 30–60 seconds each once you’re warmed up.
Identify the wrestler
Ask for their name (or have them show their wristband / registration confirmation). Pull them up in USA Bracketing by typing their name in the search box.
Verify division and registered weight class
The screen will show their age division and the weight class they registered for. Confirm out loud: “You’re registered Bantam 70 — is that right?” This catches registration mistakes early.
Weigh them
Wrestler steps on the scale in singlet or as the event rules require. The next move depends on your scale type:
Enter or confirm the actual weight
Enter what the scale shows — do not round, do not “help” them make weight.
Save / Mark as weighed in
Click the save or “weighed in” button. The wrestler is now locked in.
Thank them, send them off
Quick “you’re all set, good luck” and call the next wrestler.
Situations you’ll hit
What you do when something unusual happens depends on the bracket format your event uses. Pick the one that matches your event:
Wrestler makes weight
Enter (or confirm) the actual weight, save, move on.
Wrestler is under their class
Actual weight is what matters for bracketing. Enter the real number and save.
Wrestler is over their class
Stop and call the event manager. Do not improvise. They may move the wrestler up, allow a re-weigh, or scratch them. Set the wrestler aside; continue the line.
Wrestler isn’t in the system
Call the event manager. Could be late registration, name spelled differently, or wrong event. They have the tools to fix it — you don’t.
Scale disconnects mid-line
If the Bluetooth scale stops auto-filling, don’t panic. Read the display and type the weight in manually for the next wrestlers (you just became a Type A station). Tell the event manager between wrestlers so they can troubleshoot or swap the dongle — do not hold up the line trying to fix it yourself.
Any wrestler, any weight
Enter (or confirm) the exact weight, save, move on. The system will pair brackets later based on what you recorded.
Confirm age and division
Madison/Scramble usually groups by age band as well as weight. When you pull a wrestler up, verify their age division out loud — mistakes here mess up the brackets after weigh-ins close.
Wrestler isn’t in the system
Call the event manager. Could be late registration, name spelled differently, or wrong event. They have the tools to fix it — you don’t.
Scale disconnects mid-line
If the Bluetooth scale stops auto-filling, don’t panic. Read the display and type the weight in manually for the next wrestlers (you just became a Type A station). Tell the event manager between wrestlers so they can troubleshoot or swap the dongle — do not hold up the line trying to fix it yourself.
Five rules to keep the line moving
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Enter the actual weight, not the registered weight. The system needs reality, not what they hoped.
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Don’t argue weight class changes at the scale. Send those to the event manager.
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Keep the paper roster updated in parallel. Tick each wrestler off on paper as you save them in the system. If wifi drops, you have a record.
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Sex/gender-separated weigh-ins when required. Many events require a same-gender adult present, and male/female wrestlers cannot be staged together. Confirm the rule with the event manager beforehand.
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No coaching, no negotiating. You’re a neutral data-entry station. “Sorry, I just enter what the scale shows” is a complete answer.
Questions wrestlers will ask
“Can I weigh in again?”
Depends on the event rule. Default answer: “Let me check with the event manager.” Don’t promise re-weighs.
“How much does my singlet weigh?”
Doesn’t matter — you weigh them however the event specifies (in singlet, in shorts, etc.). The rule is the same for everyone.
“What’s my bout number?”
Brackets aren’t built until weigh-ins finish. “Brackets will be released after weigh-ins close — check USA Bracketing or your alerts.”
“Where do I go now?”
Point them to the warm-up area or staging. Not your problem to solve.
When weigh-ins close
When the event manager calls “weigh-ins closed”:
Once you’re done here, the event manager builds the brackets and the tournament begins.
Quick reference
The same 6-step loop applies to both scale types. Steps 3 and 4 are the only ones that differ.
| Step | Manual scale | Bluetooth scale |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Pull wrestler up by name | |
| 02 | Confirm division and registered weight class | |
| 03 | Wrestler steps on. Read display, say aloud. | Click weight field. Wrestler steps on. Weight auto-fills. |
| 04 | Type the weight. Double-check. | Verify field matches display. Fix if mismatched. |
| 05 | Save / mark as weighed in | |
| 06 | Next wrestler | |
Where to learn more
Know your scale. Know your bracket format. Show up on time. Enter what the scale shows. Escalate the weird stuff. That’s the whole job.
Weigh-In Operations · Fremont HS Athletics
Running Weigh-Ins
Six short steps. Each step ends with a quick check — you’ll see the correct answer if you miss it, then you can try again. Plan on about 15 minutes.
Show up & log in
You’re at the scale. Three jobs — weigh the wrestler, get the actual weight into USA Bracketing, and escalate anything weird. That’s it.
Show up 15–30 minutes early. The event manager will hand you the event name and password (these are shared event credentials — not personal accounts). Get to usabracketing.com/worker, search for the event name, and enter the password.
Before the line forms, also: test the scale with a known weight, confirm wi-fi is working, and check that the paper backup roster is on the table within arm’s reach.
Know your scale
Two kinds of scale are common at events. The first question to ask the event manager: which one are we using today? The workflow is slightly different.
You read & type
A standalone digital or analog scale. Wrestler steps on, you read the number off the display, you type it into USA Bracketing.
Scale auto-fills
A wireless scale connected to the laptop or tablet. When you click the weight field first, then the wrestler steps on, the scale auto-types the weight straight into the field.
Test the scale with a known weight before the line forms. For Bluetooth, also confirm the USB dongle is plugged in and the scale is paired.
The per-wrestler workflow
This is the loop you’ll repeat for every wrestler. 30–60 seconds each once you’re warmed up. Steps 3 and 4 are where the two scale types differ — everything else is the same.
Pull wrestler up by name
Type their name in the search. Have them show their wristband or registration if you need it.
Confirm division and weight class out loud
Read it back to them: “You’re Bantam 70, right?” Catches registration mistakes early.
Weigh them
Manual: Read the weight off the scale (to the tenth). Say it out loud.
Bluetooth: Click the weight field first, then they step on — weight auto-fills.
Enter or verify the weight
Manual: Type the actual weight. Double-check what you typed matches the scale.
Bluetooth: Verify the field matches the scale display exactly. If they don’t match, clear the field, have the wrestler step off and back on.
Save / mark as weighed in
Click save. The wrestler is locked in.
Tick paper roster. Next wrestler.
Cross them off on the paper backup too. Then call the next wrestler.
Know your bracket format
How “over weight” works depends entirely on which bracket format the event uses. Ask the event manager which one you’re running before the line starts.
Pre-set classes
Wrestlers registered for a specific weight class (e.g., Bantam 70). They must make that class. Over weight is a real problem — escalate.
- Makes weight → save and move on
- Under class → still fine
- Over class → escalate
Built from weigh-ins
No pre-set classes — brackets are built after weigh-ins from the actual weights. Nobody is ever over or under.
- Any weight → save and move on
- Confirm age / division
- The system builds brackets later
The rules & when to escalate
The whole job hinges on four rules and one clear escalation list. Don’t freelance — the event manager is there for the unusual stuff.
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Enter what the scale shows. No rounding. No helping a wrestler “make weight.” The system needs reality.
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Don’t argue weight-class changes at the scale. Send all class-change questions to the event manager.
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Tick the paper roster too. Every saved wrestler gets a check on paper. That’s your backup if wi-fi drops.
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No coaching, no negotiating. “Sorry, I just enter what the scale shows” is a complete answer.
When to call the event manager
- Wrestler is over their weight class (weight-class events only)
- Wrestler isn’t in the system
- Anyone asks for a class change
- Bluetooth scale stops auto-filling and won’t reconnect
- Anything weird you can’t resolve in 10 seconds
You’re ready to run the scale.
Know your scale. Know your bracket format. Show up on time. Enter what the scale shows. Escalate the weird stuff. That’s the whole job.
Get the printable Weigh-In Station Card →Not affiliated with USA Wrestling or USA Bracketing — an educational resource for the Fremont HS Athletics community.
Wrestling Operations · Fremont HS Athletics
Live
Scoring
You’re at the scoring table. The match runs through your fingertips. Three jobs: watch the ref, tap the matching action in USA Bracketing, verify the scoreboard. This guide covers folkstyle and freestyle scoring in about 15 minutes.
What live scoring actually does
The match has three official voices: the wrestlers, the ref, and the score. You’re the third one. Three things happen at this station:
- The ref signals every score. Hand signals tell you what happened (takedown, escape, near-fall, penalty) and which wrestler earned the points. The ref is the official source — never your own judgment.
- You tap the matching action in USA Bracketing. Each scoring action has a button. Your job is to translate the ref’s signal into a tap on the right wrestler’s row, instantly.
- The system shows the official score to everyone. Coaches, parents, and the on-deck mat see your scoreboard in real time. If you tap wrong, everyone sees the wrong score.
Pace matters — matches go fast. Accuracy matters more. A wrong tap mid-match can decide who wins.
Before the first match
Show up 15–30 minutes early. The event manager will hand you a mat assignment, the event name and password for USA Bracketing’s worker portal, and a paper backup of your mat’s bout sheet. There are no personal accounts for scoring — everyone working the event uses the same shared credentials.
First thing to check: what style is your event scoring? Folkstyle and freestyle look similar on the mat but have different scoring rules. Confirm with the event manager which one you’re running before the first whistle.
Folkstyle
US scholastic / collegiate / youth style. Rewards mat control: escapes and reversals score, riding time matters, and there are 3 periods. This is the most common style at local US tournaments.
- Takedown = 2, Escape = 1, Reversal = 2
- Near-fall = 2 or 4 (by count)
- Riding-time clock runs while on top
Freestyle / Greco
International / Olympic style. Rewards exposure and aggression: no escape points, no reversal points as such, push-out scores 1 point, exposure scores 2. 2 periods. Common in spring/summer club tournaments.
- Takedown = 2 (or 4 for high amplitude)
- Exposure = 2 pts per turn
- Push-out = 1 pt · no escapes, no riding time
The job at a glance
Three things happen for every scoring action. The detailed cycle is in the next section, but if you remember nothing else, remember these three:
The scoring cycle
Want to see this in action first? Here’s USA Bracketing’s official individual live scorer tutorial — about 8 minutes, walks through the whole interface.
Now the step-by-step. This is the loop you run for every scoring action in the match. Two to five seconds, every time. If you fall behind, you’ll never catch up.
Watch the ref’s signal
Eyes on the ref — not the wrestlers, not the screen. Number of fingers held up = the number of points. The hand pointing to a wrestler tells you who scored. Arm rolls, chops, and other signals each mean something specific.
Identify the scoring action
Translate the ref’s signal into one of the action buttons on screen: takedown, escape, reversal, near-fall, push-out, penalty. The signal tells you which button.
Tap the matching button
Tap the action button on the row of the wrestler who earned the points. Tap once and commit — don’t double-tap or hesitate. If you miss-tap, use the undo / correction button right after, not later.
Verify the scoreboard
Glance at the score on screen. Did it tick up by the right amount, on the right wrestler? If yes, eyes back on the ref. If no, fix it now — before the next action happens.
Ask the ref if you missed it
Between actions, calmly: “Was that 2 or 3?” The ref will repeat the signal. Don’t guess — the scoreboard has to be right. Don’t wait until the end of the period either — resolve it on the spot.
Reset for the next action
Eyes back on the ref. Action is continuous — the next scoring move could happen in a half-second. Don’t linger on the screen or watch the wrestlers; the ref’s next signal is what matters.
Situations by match style
The buttons look the same in both styles, but the scoring rules differ. Pick the style your event is running:
Takedown / Escape / Reversal
Ref signals 1, 2, or 2-with-roll. Tap the matching button on the row of the wrestler who scored. Takedown = 2 pts, escape = 1 pt, reversal = 2 pts.
Near-fall (2 or 4 points)
Ref holds the count visibly, ending in 2 fingers (for a 2-count near-fall = 2 pts) or 4 fingers (for a 4-count near-fall = 4 pts). Tap the matching button — don’t guess.
Riding time
Start the riding-time clock when a wrestler gains control on top. Pause it on neutral or reversal. At the end of the match, the system awards 1 pt if either wrestler has more than 1 minute of advantage.
Stalling, caution, illegal moves
Ref signals stalling with palms-down circular motion. First call is a warning (no points). Subsequent calls award 1 pt to opponent. Tap the penalty button on the offending wrestler.
Disputed call or screen disagreement
If the score on screen and what the ref signaled disagree, ask the ref between actions. If they agree the score is wrong, fix it. If a coach challenges, route them to the head table — don’t change scores without the ref’s OK.
Takedown (2 or 4 points)
Standard takedown = 2 pts. High-amplitude takedown (wrestler lifted and exposed) = 4 pts. Ref signals which with finger count. Tap the matching value on the takedown button.
Exposure / turn
Each time the wrestler exposes the opponent’s back to the mat, 2 pts. No timed count like folkstyle near-fall — just a brief touch. Can score multiple times in one scramble.
Push-out / step-out
1 pt for forcing opponent out of bounds with a clear pushing action. Ref signals with a hand chop pointing out of the circle. This doesn’t exist in folkstyle — only tap it in freestyle/Greco.
Reversal or escape happens
If the bottom wrestler reverses to top or escapes to neutral, do not tap escape or reversal. Freestyle doesn’t award points for these actions. The wrestler just gets a new chance to score from the new position.
Disputed call or coach challenge
Same as folkstyle: ask the ref between actions if you saw it differently. Coach challenges in freestyle go through the head table, not you. Don’t adjust scores without ref approval.
Five rules to keep the match clean
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Eyes on the ref, not the wrestlers. The ref’s signal is the score. What you think you saw doesn’t go on the board.
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Tap immediately, verify after. Don’t freeze trying to interpret. Tap the matching action, then glance at the scoreboard. If wrong, fix it before the next action.
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If you miss a call, ask the ref between actions. Calmly: “Was that 2 or 3?” Don’t guess and don’t wait until the end of the period — resolve it on the spot.
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No coaching, no commentary. Neutral hands, neutral face. You’re a neutral official station. Coaches argue with the ref, not you.
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Match the style. Don’t cross the streams. In folkstyle, escapes and reversals score. In freestyle, they don’t. Know what style you’re running — don’t tap freestyle escapes or fail to tap folkstyle ones.
Questions you’ll face mid-match
“What if I tapped the wrong button?”
Use the undo / correction button on the scoring screen immediately. Then tap the correct action. If you don’t catch it until later, ask the ref between actions; if they agree the score is wrong, fix it. If a period has ended, escalate to the head table.
“The ref made a call I’m sure was wrong. What do I do?”
Tap what the ref signaled. The ref is the official; your job is to be their fingers on the scoring screen, not to second-guess. If a coach wants to challenge, that goes through the head table, not through you.
“A coach is yelling at me about a call. What do I say?”
“I scored what the ref signaled. Challenges go through the head table.” Then keep your eyes on the ref — the next action is coming. Don’t argue, don’t apologize, don’t engage.
“What if USA Bracketing freezes or my screen lags?”
First: don’t panic. Keep tracking scores on paper. Try refreshing the page once. If it doesn’t recover in 30 seconds, escalate to the head table — they can swap devices or push you to a backup.
“The match ended — what do I do now?”
Confirm the final score on screen matches the ref’s call. Tap the match-ending button (fall, tech fall, decision). The system should advance to the next pair automatically; if not, the head table will swap matches for you.
“Can I take a break between matches?”
Briefly — between matches only, never mid-match. If you need to step away for more than a minute or two, the head table needs a relief scorer. Always tell someone before you leave.
When the mat closes
When your mat finishes its last match (or the event manager calls a wrap):
Talk to the head table before you head out — they may need you on another mat, or to help break down the table. Thanks for scoring.
Scoring rules at a glance
Most actions score in both styles, but the values and a few key actions differ. Reference table for when you’re between matches:
| Action | Folkstyle | Freestyle / Greco |
|---|---|---|
| Takedown | 2 pts | 2 pts (4 for high amplitude) |
| Escape | 1 pt | No score — don’t tap |
| Reversal | 2 pts | No score — don’t tap |
| Near-fall / Exposure | 2 pts (2-count) · 4 pts (4-count) | 2 pts per exposure |
| Push-out / step-out | Doesn’t exist | 1 pt |
| Riding time | 1 pt if > 1 min advantage | Doesn’t exist |
| Stalling | Warn first, then 1 pt to opponent | Caution / 1 pt |
| Periods | 3 periods | 2 periods |
Where to learn more
Eyes on the ref. Tap fast, verify after. Know the style you’re scoring. Don’t freelance — escalate the weird stuff. That’s the whole job.
Live Scoring Operations · Fremont HS Athletics
Live Scoring
Six short steps for the volunteer at the scoring table. Each step ends with a quick check — you’ll see the correct answer if you miss it, then you can try again. Plan on about 15 minutes.
Show up & sit down
You’re at the scoring table. The whole match runs through your fingertips. Three jobs — watch the ref, tap the action, verify the screen. That’s it.
Show up 15–30 minutes early. Find your assigned mat number from the event manager. Sit at the scoring table next to the ref’s side of the mat — you need a clear sightline to the ref’s hands at all times. Log in to usabracketing.com/worker with the event name and password the event manager gives you. There are no personal accounts — every scorer at the event uses the same shared credentials.
Before the first match, also: open the bracket for your mat in USA Bracketing, confirm you’ve got the first pair of wrestlers loaded, and grab a paper backup of the bout sheet from the head table.
Know the interface
The USA Bracketing scoring screen has two halves: a row for each wrestler with their scoring buttons (takedown, escape, reversal, near-fall, penalty), and a control panel for clock, period, and match-ending actions (fall, tech fall, DQ).
Wrestler scoring buttons
One row per wrestler: takedown, escape, reversal, near-fall (with sub-options for 2 / 3 / 4 count), penalty. Tap the button on the wrestler who earned the points.
Match controls
Clock start/stop, period transitions, injury & blood time, and match-ending buttons (fall, tech fall, default, disqualification). Plus an undo / correction button for the last action.
Before the first match starts, take 30 seconds to find every button you might need. You don’t want to be hunting for the “Reversal” button mid-scramble.
The scoring cycle
For every scoring action in the match, you run the same tight loop. Two to five seconds, every time. If you fall behind, you’ll never catch up.
Watch the ref’s signal
Number of fingers held up = points. Hand pointing to a wrestler = who got them. Hand chops, arm rolls, and other signals each mean something specific.
Identify the action
Takedown? Escape? Reversal? Near-fall? The ref’s signal tells you which one — matched against the scoring buttons on screen.
Tap the matching button
Tap the action button on the row of the wrestler who scored. Tap once and commit — don’t double-tap or hesitate.
Verify the scoreboard
Glance at the score. Did it tick up by the right amount, for the right wrestler? If yes, eyes back on the ref. If no, fix it now — before the next action.
If you missed the call, ask
Between actions, calmly to the ref: “Was that 2 or 3?” The ref will repeat the signal. Don’t guess — the score has to be right.
Reset for the next action
Eyes back on the ref. Action is continuous — the next scoring move could happen in a half-second.
Common scoring actions
Here are the buttons you’ll tap most often, mapped to the ref signals that trigger them. Memorize the relationship — ref signal → tap → verify.
Most-tapped buttons
- Takedown — 2 pts (4 pts in freestyle for amplitude)
- Escape — 1 pt (folkstyle only)
- Reversal — 2 pts (folkstyle)
- Near-fall / Exposure — ref signals 2, 3, or 4
- Push-out — 1 pt (freestyle only)
Match flow buttons
- Start / stop period clock
- Caution · warning · stalling
- Injury / blood time
- Fall / tech fall / DQ — ends the match
- Undo — fixes the last action
Style differences & rules
The buttons look the same in both styles, but the scoring rules differ. Don’t tap actions that don’t exist in the style you’re scoring.
Control & riding time
- Escape = 1 pt · Reversal = 2 pts (yes, both exist)
- Near-fall = 2 or 4 pts (by count)
- Riding-time clock runs while on top
- 3 periods
Exposure & push-out
- No escapes. No riding time.
- Exposure = 2 pts (any time the back touches mat)
- Push-out = 1 pt (forcing opponent out)
- Reversal = control change, no points awarded
- 2 periods
Four rules cover the rest:
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Eyes on the ref, not the wrestlers. The ref’s call is the score — not what you think you saw on the mat.
-
Tap immediately, verify after. Don’t pause to think. Tap then glance at the scoreboard.
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If you miss a call, ask the ref. Between actions, calmly: “Was that 2 or 3?” — not after the period.
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No coaching, no commentary. Neutral hands, neutral face. Coaches argue with the ref, not you.
When to call the head table
- Score on the screen is wrong and the ref agrees
- Coach challenges a call (route to head table)
- Wrong wrestler scored points and the ref has moved on
- USA Bracketing freezes or laggy
- Injury time exceeds limit or medical called
- Anything weird you can’t resolve in 10 seconds
You’re ready to run the scoring table.
Eyes on the ref. Tap fast, verify after. Know the style you’re scoring. Don’t freelance — escalate the weird stuff. That’s the whole job.
Get the printable Live Scoring Mat Card →Not affiliated with USA Wrestling or USA Bracketing — an educational resource for the Fremont HS Athletics community.
Wrestling Operations · Fremont HS Athletics