Ban, I'm going to assume Junior wrestlers means level, unless you're making an age joke, which I love. Old bastards.
Something that may be relevant to this discussion:
When I was working with the youth program when I was in Highschool, They were very wishy washy about locked hands at that level. SOmetimes they called it, other times they didn't.
Obviously, officiating at the youth club level is different than the highschool or college level. Some kids got a way with it, other kids who knew better didn't.
I think at that age, they (referees) try to give as much leway as possible because it really is just developmental.
I know for a fact, that I (not to toot my own horn) was officiated differently because I was a better Jr. High (see, I told you) wrestler than most. Kids I wrestled with that were far more talented than I was were officiated even harder. At that level, it was really, and I suppose still is really, apparent who has been wrestling longer, obviously for the most part.
In highschool, officiating is always off the wall inconsistent because they are just happy to get referees.
Being around the circuit, you get to know different officials because a lot of times they are coaches. Those guys are the WORST, lol, because they know you, know what you may be capable of, and want to mess with you.
Funny story, off topic
I actually had a referee, who was somewhat of a family friend back in Chitown, who was calling one of my brother's matches. My dad and I are in the corner. This f$#k'in guy (love ya Bill) doesn't call a pin for us in the first 45 seconds or so because he thinks my bro should get a little more mat time in. We go nuts. So later, the other kid catches (yes I know 'catches' he shouldn't of gotten headlocked) us in a headlock and gets the pin. It was tight, he was flat, right call. The point is, refs are just schleps like you and I.
This was the same guy who, while I was covertly (just sort of blending in, no masks or disguises or anything) scouting an up coming opponent at a tourney when I had a weekend off, from across the gym, starts yelling my name and asking me what I was doing there. So much for that, Jerk.
Sorry to go on a tangent.
M
Re: Locked hands, a crazy rule 
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