By Joe Ferraro

Legendary Mixed Martial Arts Referee Big John McCarthy will bring his “Certification of Officials For Mixed Martial Arts Development Course” (COMMAND) program is Toronto, Ontario Canada this month!

McCarthy’s wife, Elaine, who overseas the operations of the course stated  ”With Ontario just announcing that it will be legalizing MMA in 2011, we have been inundated with requests to put on a course in that area.” And to meet the demand, she will supply what many have been hoping for in the province. A true certification course that will help lay the foundation for the sport to get off on the right foot.

McCarthy also announced that  ”On Friday, September 24 we will be hosting a 1-Day Informational Seminar (non-certification) on the history of MMA and how to get involved as an official with the athletic commission (Inspector, Judge and Referee). On Saturday, September 25th through Sunday, September 26th we will be hosting a 2-Day JUDGING certification course.”

Having taken and been certified as an Official under the COMMAND course, I can attest to how difficult it is to pass the course. Having passed this course, I immediately focused on figuring out how to someway, somehow, take the COMMAND Judging Course. And to be able to get the chance to take it in my own backyard is a thrill, but believe me, I’m going to be ready for an arduous process.

I say this not to scare people away, but hope you will take my word and take the time to do your homework. If you think you can simply walk into this course and pass it, just because you have been watching MMA for years and / or have trained, even competed, in the sport, take my word for it: you are setting yourself up for failure.

All of the course information is on the COMMAND website, but all of the answers can only be found in how much time you allocate to preparing yourself before you step foot inside the classroom. I highly recommend you study the various MMA positions, takedowns, submissions and more. They are on the site – look them up, write them down. Then do it all again.

Above all, would be participants should realize that first impressions can pave the way for fruitful relationships, especially when your “boss” is watching, as McCarthy has informed that the top of Ontario’s Combat Sports Political Food Chain will be present.

“Mr. Ken Hayashi, the Executive Director for the Ontario Athletic Commission, is planning to attend both courses and introduce himself to the course participants.”

Now for those who are unable to attend this month’s judging course and would rather attend the referee course, Elaine stated that “COMMAND will look at hosting a Referee Seminar at a later date. Spaces are limited and are guaranteed on a first registered, first reserved basis.”

Also, “You can find information on both courses by visiting our website at www.mmareferee.com.”

Below is the information for both courses:

One Day Informational Course (Non Certification)

INSTRUCTORS: Big John McCarthy & Jerin Valel

COST: $150.00 Per Student

WHEN: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH

TIME: 9:00AM – 5:00PM

WHERE: Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport Meeting Room: ALPINE I Terminal 3, Toronto AMF, P.O. Box 3000 Toronto Phone: (905) 672 7000

ONE DAY INFORMATIONAL COURSE SYLLABUS

History of MMA
How to get involved as an official
What are the duties of an Inspector?
What are the duties of a Judge?
What are the duties of a Referee?
Question and Answer Session
For Registration Details, General Information, and Frequently Asked Questions, Please visit website at www.MMAreferee.com

Payment is by Credit Card only in USD – For Payment Arrangements Please Call our COMMAND Staff at: 661­775 0365

Two Day Judging Course (For Certification)

INSTRUCTORS: Big John McCarthy & Jerin Valel

COST: $500.00 Per Student

WHEN: Saturday Sept 25th, 2010 through Sunday, Sept 26th, 2010

TIME: Day 1: 8am to 9pm Day 2: 9am to 6pm

WHERE: Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport Meeting Room: ALPINE I Terminal 3, Toronto AMF, P.O. Box 3000 Toronto Phone: (905) 672 7000

Two DAY JUDGING COURSE SYLLABUS

History of Mixed Martial Arts
Ethics and Professionalism
Responsibilities working within an Athletic Commission Reviewing the Unified Rules Judging Criteria Techniques of MMA Concentration, Keeping the crowd out of the equation Review & Questions Testing Results For Registration Details, General Information, and Frequently Asked Questions, Please visit website at www.MMAreferee.com

Payment is by Credit Card only in USD – For Payment Arrangements Please Call our COMMAND Staff at: 661 775 0365

**Please plan on extremely long days as there is a lot of material to cover in a short period of time. We strongly recommend traveling on separate days from the actual seminar days. It is imperative that participants attend every hour of the course in order to have the optimal chance of passing. The primary goal of the course is knowledge transfer, however, those interested in certification should be aware the pass rate is approximately 40%.

This course is recognized by the ABC (the Association of Boxing Commissions)

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