Running
Weigh-Ins
You’re at the scale. Three jobs: weigh the wrestler, enter the actual weight, escalate the weird stuff. This guide teaches everything you need 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 read the actual weight.
- You type that weight into USA Bracketing. This locks the wrestler 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 a login for USA Bracketing, the event name you’ll be working, a calibrated certified scale, and a backup paper roster in case the wifi fails.
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)
- Read the weight to the nearest tenth of a pound (e.g., 68.4)
- Say the number out loud so the wrestler hears it
Enter the actual weight
Type the actual weight into the weight field in USA Bracketing. 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.
Four situations you’ll hit
Wrestler makes weight
Enter 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.
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
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 01 | Pull wrestler up by name |
| 02 | Confirm division and registered weight class |
| 03 | Weigh, read aloud |
| 04 | Enter actual weight |
| 05 | Save |
| 06 | Next wrestler |
Where to learn more
Show up on time. Enter what the scale shows. Escalate the weird stuff. That’s the whole job.
Course 01 · Running Weigh-Ins · Cali Wrestling