Each episode of "Behind the Whistle" features in-depth discussions and interviews with officials who share their personal stories, strategies, and insights on what it takes to make split-second decisions in high-pressure situations. Listeners gain a behind-the-scenes look at the mental and emotional aspects of officiating, as well as the dedication and preparation that goes into being a successful official.
Whether you are a sports fan, an aspiring official, or simply curious about the unseen side of sports, "Behind the Whistle" offers a thought-provoking and engaging exploration into the world of officiating. Tune in to gain a new appreciation for the often overlooked role of officials and to discover the complexities of the game from a whole new perspective.
Episode 3 Season 2 "Getting It Right When It Matters"
Episode 3 focuses on officiating with confidence and getting calls right when they matter most. We talk about being a good partner on the mat, trusting your whistle, and listening when your partner helps you see something you might not be sure about. The episode also breaks down key situations officials struggle with, including stalling with a leg in and correctly awarding takedowns based on real control beyond reaction time. The goal is simple: call what you see, trust your preparation, and score the action that’s earned.
8 Dec 2025
Episode 2 Season 2 " Find Success with these 10 Tips"
Officiating is hard, and nobody is perfect. In this episode, we walk through 10 practical tips to help wrestling officials build confidence, earn respect, and get better every match. We talk about why mastering the rulebook matters, how strong signals and consistent positioning change everything, and why learning from experienced refs (and getting real feedback) speeds up your growth. We also dig into the tough moments: missing a call, dealing with coaches, correcting mistakes, and staying calm and consistent, especially when stalling and close calls come into play. We wrap with a simple standard that applies to every level: the “Three F’s” — be Friendly, be Fair, and be Firm.
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In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Rule knowledge, signals, and season-long preparation
Learning from veteran referees and seeking critique
Getting mat time early (junior high/middle school level) to build experience
Handling mistakes with honesty and composure
Consistency in stalling and all key scoring situations
The “Three F’s” approach to presence and professionalism
28 Oct 2025
Season 2 "Rule Changes 2025-26 Season"
Welcome back to Behind the Whistle: Inside the Official’s Mind with Rick Solofsky and Dave Marotta, and this is Season 2, Episode 1.
Today, we’re kicking off the new season with a deep dive into the 2025–26 high school wrestling rule changes. These updates come straight from the NFHS, and as always, we’ll break down what’s new, why it matters, and how it’ll impact athletes, coaches, and officials this season.
Here’s what’s on the mat for discussion:
Rule 1-2-2: The optional procedure for determining the starting weight class has been modified.
Rule 4-1-2: Updates to how a school’s name and associated marks appear on uniforms.
Rule 4-3-5: Changes around the use of leg sleeves that don’t have built-in pads.
Rules 5-11-2c and 5-11-4: Clarifications on how a technical fall is scored.
Rules 7-1-5n and 7-3-3: Clarifications on illegal holds and maneuvers.
We’ll also touch on referee signal corrections, including:
The removal of a signal for the referee’s timeout,
A directional change in the “No Control” signal, and
A modification to the Near-Fall signal.
By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what’s changed, how to apply it on the mat, and what to watch for as the new season begins.
So let’s get into it — Behind the Whistle, where we don’t just talk about the calls, we get inside the official’s mind.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
7,796
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
69
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
32
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