- A change to Rule 2-2-2 clarifies the boundary for the restricted zone for coaches.The committee adopted four points of emphasis for the upcoming season, including grooming and medical checks, reporting to the scorer's table ready to wrestle, going out of the wrestling area, and referees' signals and mechanics.
- A revision to Rule 4-1-5 requires the wrestler's uniform to be worn as intended/designed by the manufacturer. This change gives rules support to a previous NFHS interpretation.
- Rule 4-2-1 will state that a wrestler's hair in the front, in its natural state, shall not extend below the eyebrows.
- A change in Rule 4-5-5 allows for a one-pound weight allowance when a competition is postponed for one calendar day or more due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. The head coach, principal or athletic director of the opponent must be notified in advance to be granted the one-pound weight allowance.
- A change to Rule 5-15-3 gives referees the option to stop a match if there is no action at the edge of the mat and to restart wrestling in the center of the mat.
- A new addition to Rules 5-25-6c and 7-6-6c provides rules support for the interpretation of stalling as "repeatedly creates a stalemate situation to prevent an opponent from scoring."
- In Rule 6-6-1, when the wrong wrestler is given choice of position at the start of the first 30-second tiebreaker in overtime, the opponent will be given the choice at the start of the second 30-second tiebreaker. Previously, this would have been considered bad time.
- In Rule 7-4-1, the committee further defined unnecessary roughness by including ". . . a forceful slap to the head or face, and/or gouging or poking the eyes."
- The committee also approved a new signal for referees to indicate when to start recovery time during a match.
2007-08 Wresting Rules Changes1-1-2aNEW A random draw for championship final matches for an individual tournament, regular season and/or state high school championship series, may be used for competition. Rationale: This rule change allows a random draw for championship final matches in individual tournaments conducted during the year. This would create a more consistent format for individuals to go along with team tournaments. 3-1-1 The referee's uniform consists of a short sleeve knit shirt, with alternating black and white 1-inch stripes, or gray with black pinstripes, or an event provided shirt common to all referees at that event... Rationale: This change would allow referees and states another option for their referee's uniform in wrestling. The gray shirt with black pinstripes has been allowed by other sports organizations in wrestling, and has been well received by the fans, coaches, and referees. 4-2-3 If a participant is suspected by the referee or coach of having a communicable skin disease or any other condition that makes participation appear inadvisable, the coach shall provide current written documentation, as defined by the NFHS or the state associations, from a physician stating that the suspected disease or condition is not communicable and that the athlete's participation would not be harmful to any opponent... Rationale: This rule change would help clarify the current rule in that the current written documentation from a physician needs to be on an approved form from either the NFHS or a state association. 4-2-5 NEW Each contestant who has braces or has a special orthodontic device on their teeth, shall be required to wear a tooth and mouth protector. A tooth and mouth protector (intraoral) which shall include an occlusal (protecting and separating the biting surfaces) and a labial (protecting the teeth and supporting structures) portion and covers the teeth and all areas of the braces or special orthodontic device with adequate thickness. This would include upper and lower teeth if devices are present on both. It is recommended the protector be properly fitted and: 1. Constructed from a model made from an impression of the individual's teeth and braces or special orthodontic device. 2. Constructed and fitted to the individual by impressing the teeth and braces or special orthodontic device into the tooth and mouth protector itself. Rationale: The NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee feels that it would be in the best interest from a safety perspective that if a wrestler does have braces, or wears a special orthodontic device on their teeth, they should be covered to protect their opponent from injury when coming in contact with the mouth and teeth. Coaches have expressed concern about frequent stoppage of matches because of blood time-out secondary to brace-inflicted wounds. 5-20-5a NEW Prior to assuming an offensive starting position, the offensive wrestler may signal to the referee the neutral position. The defensive wrestler is awarded an escape, and wrestling begins from the neutral position. Rationale: This rule change would now allow the offensive wrestler another choice from the offensive starting position. 5-31-1 Coaches and Team Personnel. Unsportsmanlike conduct of coaches and other team personnel is any act which becomes abusive or interferes with the orderly progress of the match. These acts may occur prior to, during or after a match. This includes violations of the bench decorum rule (7-5-2), taunting, acts of disrespect, or those actions which incite negative reaction by others. The offender shall be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct in accordance with the Penalty Chart. The head coach shall be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct if wrestlers report to the scorer's table not in proper uniform, not properly groomed, not properly equipped or not ready to wrestle. Exception: The head coach shall not be penalized when a wrestler reports to the scorer's table with shoe laces that are not properly secured. Rationale: This rule change now gives rules support for a penalty that reflects the intent behind Rule 1-2-7, which requires the head coach to verify their wrestlers are in proper uniform, properly groomed, properly equipped and ready to wrestle. It does not penalize the head coach when their wrestlers have improperly secured shoe laces. 6-4-4 Rationale: This rule change allows a coach or a wrestler to default a match to his opponent at any time. Requiring a wrestler injured by illegal action, who wished to default, to return to wrestling prior to the expiration of recovery time in order to be able to default is undesirable and in some cases an unsafe situation. 6-6-4a1, 5a1 8-2-1a-h An injured or ill contestant is entitled to a maximum injury time-out of 1 ˝ minutes which is cumulative throughout the match, including overtime periods. There is a limit of two injury time-outs which may be permitted in any match, provided the total time does not exceed 1 ˝ minutes. If a second injury time-out is taken during a regulation period, the opponent shall EXCEPTIONS: b.if the second injury time-out is taken at the conclusion of the second period, the opponent shall have the choice at the start of the third period; c. if the second injury time-out is taken at the conclusion of the third period, the opponent shall have the choice of any one of the three starting positions at the beginning of the sudden victory period; d. if the second injury time-out is taken any time during the sudden victory period, the opponent shall have the choice of top, bottom or neutral position on the restart; e. if the second injury time-out is taken at the conclusion of the sudden victory period, the opponent shall have the choice of either top or bottom position at the start of both 30-second tiebreaker periods. f. if the second injury time-out is taken at the conclusion of the first 30-second tiebreaker period, the opponent shall have the choice of either top or bottom at the start of the second 30-second tiebreaker period. g. if the second injury time-out occurs at the conclusion of the second 30-second tiebreaker period, the opponent shall have the choice of top or bottom at the start of the ultimate tiebreaker period. h. if the second injury time-out occurs during either of the 30-second tiebreaker periods or during the ultimate tiebreaker period, the opponent shall have the choice of top or bottom on the restart. A third injury time-out shall terminate the match. The opponent shall be declared the winner by default. Rationale: This rule change helps to clarify the exact procedure to follow when administering the second injury time-out. Limiting a wrestler to 1 ˝ minutes of injury time and two injury time-outs has been successful in reducing the number of unnecessary time-outs. Allowing an opponent the choice of position for all remaining periods, both regulation and overtime is too harsh a penalty. This may cause injured wrestlers to decline necessary and needed injury time which is counter to the NFHS philosophy that safety comes first. POINTS OF EMPHASIS Communicable Skin Conditions Correction of Errors Stalling Sportsmanship |
Wrestling Rules Changes Aim for Clarity INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 16, 2007) -- In its ongoing effort to improve high school wrestling rules, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee adopted several rules changes during the group's annual meeting March 25 and 26 in Indianapolis. Although many of the changes focused on clarifying existing rules, the most notable change offers wrestlers an entirely new option. New Rule 5-20-5a allows an offensive wrestler to request a neutral position restart by signaling his desire to a referee. "Most of the changes deal with clean-up and rule support, but the new rule regarding the neutral position start is a significant change," said Dave Gannaway, chair of the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee. Even though the defensive wrestler is awarded an escape if the offensive wrestler utilizes this option, the alternative still might prove advantageous to many participants. "It gives wrestlers another possible choice from the offensive position," said Bob Colgate, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the rules committee. Another new rule, 1-1-2a, gives tournament directors an additional option, allowing them to institute a random draw for the championship final matches in an individual regular-season or state championship tournament series. Previously, this option existed only in dual meets. "This change would create a more consistent format for individuals to go along with team tournaments," Colgate said. Rule 3-1-1 affords referees a new choice in attire, permitting them to wear a gray shirt with black pinstripes. Most of the other modifications made by the committee could be classified as clarifications. Perhaps the most extensive change was made to Rule 8-2-1, which pertains to the use of injury time-outs during a match. The existing rule was lengthened substantially by the addition of seven new exceptions. "Anytime you have a short rule, people can read into it," Colgate said. "We had a lot of states doing something different. Hopefully, now everybody will be on the same page." The committee altered Rules 6-6-4a1 and 5a1, reverting to wording in the 2005 rules book, which specified that a scoring error by the timekeeper, scorer or referee can be corrected as long the wrestler or coach remains in the mat area. No longer must a scoring correction be made before the start of the next period. Rule 5-31-1 has been adjusted to penalize the head coach if a wrestler reports to the scorer's table and is not in proper uniform, not properly groomed, not properly equipped or not ready to wrestle. "Head coaches should be accountable," Colgate said. "They need to have their athletes ready to compete as specified by the rules." Rule 6-4-4 now specifies that any coach or contestant has the prerogative to default a match at any time by informing the referee. The remaining rules changes made by the committee deal with protecting the physical health of wrestlers. The committee approved a new rule, 4-2-5, which requires wrestlers with braces or other special orthodontic devices to wear a tooth and mouth protector. The committee clarified Rule 4-2-3, which now states that a wrestler with a suspected communicable skin disease must have a physician fill out an approved form from either the NFHS or a state association affirming that the athlete's participation will not be harmful to any opponent before the participant in question is allowed to wrestle. Prevention of communicable skin conditions was one of the chief points of emphasis issued by the committee for the 2007-08 season. Correction of errors was another point of emphasis, as well as stalling. "Stalling could be a point of emphasis every year," Colgate said. "It's really a work-in-progress." The committee's final point of emphasis was sportsmanship, another aspect of athletics the NFHS frequently focuses on. "The intensity and contact in wrestling often lead to things getting heated," Colgate said. "Sportsmanship has been improving, but it's still something we need to work on in the sport of wrestling." Wrestling ranks sixth in popularity, according to the 2005-06 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, with 251,534 boys participating last year. It ranks eighth for boys in school sponsorship, with 9,744 schools offering wrestling. An additional 4,975 girls in 1,081 schools are involved in wrestling. |
2006-07 Wrestling Rules ChangesMajor Changes1-3-1: Each state association shall develop and utilize a weight-management program that includes a specific gravity not to exceed 1.025; a body fat assessment no lower than seven percent for males/12 percent for females; and a monitored weekly weight loss plan not to exceed 1.5 percent a week. 3-2-2f: When the referee and assistant referee meet to confer, the meeting shall take place away from the scorer's table. 4-1-1c: The restriction for a garment extending below the singlet has been modified to allow a tight fitting, single solid color, unadorned product that does not extend below the knee. 4-4-4: The 275-pound class has been increased to 285 pounds. 5-11-2f-i: The determination of when to award additional near-fall points for acts by the defensive wrestler has been clarified. 5-18-2: A match begins when the proper wrestler reports to the scorer's table in dual matches. 6-2-2: A wrestler who properly reports to the scorer's table for a dual match cannot be withdrawn or replaced without causing the individual to be disqualified and the weight class forfeited. 6-6-4a1: Any error, other than bad time (Art. 1) or positioning (Art. 2) shall 6-6-5a1 be corrected prior to the start of the next period, regulation or overtime. For the correction to be made during the last period, it must be corrected prior to the wrestler/coach leaving the mat area. 6-7-1: The overtime shall consist of a one-minute sudden victory period; if no scoring occurs, two 30-second tiebreakers shall be utilized; and if the score remains tied a 30-second ultimate tiebreaker will be competed. 7-1-5: Hand(s) to the face and/or raking the eyes have been added to the listing of illegal holds. 8-1-2c: An exception has been added indicating that the match will not be stopped to penalize the offensive wrestler for stalling when the defensive wrestler has come to the standing position. Other Changes 3-1-4e; 3-2-2a; 7-1-4; 7-3-2 Points of Emphasis 1. Concussions 2. Unnecessary Roughness and Slams 3. Weigh-in Procedures 4. Uniform Requirements 5. Socks and Other Special Equipment Use Release Date: 5/31/2006 |
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 10, 2006) — A change in the overtime procedure and an increase of 10 pounds in the 275-pound weight class are among the revisions in high school wrestling rules for the 2006-07 season.
A total of 14 rules revisions were approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee at its March 26-27 meeting in Indianapolis. The rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. After successful experimentation in several states last year, a potential of one additional minute was added to the overtime period. Beginning next season, if no score occurs in the sudden-victory period, two 30-second tiebreakers will take place. Scoring in these two tiebreakers will be conducted as in a regular match. If the score remains tied at the conclusion of the two tiebreakers, one additional 30-second period will be conducted, with the first person scoring declared the winner. If no points are scored, the offensive wrestler wins the match. Previously, only one 30-second tiebreaker was conducted after the one-minute overtime period. The new rule provides for one additional 30-second tiebreaker and another 30-second period if the score remains tied after the tiebreakers. For the first time since 1987, the limit on the heavyweight class was increased from 275 to 285 pounds. Jerry Diehl, assistant director of the NFHS and rules committee liaison, said student-athletes are bigger than they were when the limit of 275 pounds was established 19 years ago. He said the committee made the change to encourage additional high school athletes to compete in wrestling. Dave Gannaway, assistant executive director of the Illinois High School Association and chair of the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee, noted that the additional 10 pounds will provide larger athletes, particularly football players, an increased opportunity to wrestle. In other rules revisions, the committee altered Rule 6-6 regarding the correction of errors. Beginning next season, any error (other than bad time and positioning) must be corrected prior to the start of the next period. For the correction to be made during the last period, it must be corrected prior to the wrestler/coach leaving the mat area. Previously, changes could be made after the match or within 30 minutes of the completion of a dual meet. “Coaches and their scorekeepers have the responsibility to recognize scoring errors as they occur,” Diehl said. “It is unfair to attempt a reconstruction of what transpired in a previous period, if it is questioned in the subsequent period.” The definition of when a match begins was revised in Rule 5-18-2. Beginning next season, a match (in dual matches) begins when the proper wrestler reports to the scorer’s table. Previously, by definition, a match started with the action of the first period. Diehl said the committee made this change to support the current interpretation of penalizing a wrestler who reports to compete and is improperly equipped. Following is a summary of other changes approved for high school wrestling next year:
In addition, the following points of emphasis were developed by the Wrestling Rules Committee for the 2006-07 season: dealing with apparent concussions, unnecessary roughness and slams, weigh-in procedures, uniform requirements, and socks and use of other special equipment. Wrestling is the sixth-most popular sport for boys at the high school level, with 243,009 participants during the 2004-05 season, according to the High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the NFHS. It ranks eighth in school sponsorship with 9,562 high schools nationwide conducting the sport. In addition, a total of 4,334 girls participated in high school wrestling in 2004-05. |
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Additional Commentary on the 2006-07 Rule Change for Overtime by Dr. Bill Welker, Ed.D. Scenario: The the first three periods end up in a tie, 1 to 1, with Wrestling A scoring the first escape. Sudden Victory (Overtime Period same as before): In the overtime period, neither Wrestler A or Wrestler B score, taking the match to the first tiebreaker. The Overtime Period is the same as in the past. Tiebreaker I: The disk is tossed to determine the wrestler who has choice. The wrestler who wins the toss may choose top, bottom, or defer (Neutral cannot be chosen). Wrestler B wins the toss and selects down. As soon as the referee blows the whistle, Wrestler B scores an escape. At this point, the match continues to the conclusion of the of the thirty seconds. Before the end of the first tiebreaker, Wrestler B also scores a takedown. The score at this time is Wrestler B: 4 and Wrestler A: 1. Tiebreaker II: It is now Wrestler A's choice; he also selects down. During the second tiebreaker period, Wrestler A likewise scores an escape and a takedown. The score is tied 4 to 4. Ultimate Tiebreaker: At this point, Wrestler A is given the choice of position because he scored the first point (an escape) in the match. There is no neutral, but the wrestler may defer. The Ultimate Tiebreaker winner is determined the same as in the past. If Wrestler A rides Wrestler B; Wrestler A wins with the ride out point. If Wrestler B scores, Wrestler B wins. Points of Emphasis: 1. At any point during the three-tiebreaker process, the match is over if a fall occurs. 2. In Tiebreakers I and II, stalling will be call the same as in the regular match and Overtime Period. 3. As in the past, stalling will be indicated differently in the Ultimate Tiebreaker. A wrestler will not be warned or penalized for stalling when he controls his opponent with a traditional riding maneuver. | |
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 16, 2001) - The issue of proper weight management was foremost on the agenda of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee at its March 25-26 meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee is composed of one voting member from each of the eight NFHS sections, along with representatives of the National Federation Coaches Association (NFCA) and National Federation Officials Association (NFOA). Sam Crosby of New Jersey is the chairman of the committee.
The main goal of the committee, according to Jerry Diehl, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee, was to provide a situation for athletes whereby they could concentrate less on making weight and more on wrestling.
The most significant rules changes dealt with Rules 4-5-1 and 4-5-3, concerning weigh-in procedures for dual meets and tournaments. These rules changes were implemented to eliminate the detrimental practices associated with dehydration that are considered to have a negative impact on a wrestler's well-being. In both dual meets and tournaments, wrestlers will be required to remain in the weigh-in area and not participate in any dehydration activities.
"In the past they could leave the area," Crosby said. "Now we are saying to the wrestlers that they should not be concerned with weight and be ready to weigh in at that time."
Rule 1-1-2 was also changed to provide for a random draw after the weigh-in to determine the wrestling order of the weight classes instead of working from the lightest to the heaviest classes.
"The traditional draw allowed for wrestlers in the heavier weight classes to hydrate, bulk up and wrestle out of their class," Crosby said. "This also adds some excitement to the match by not always having the heavyweights finishing a meet."
Another topic tackled at the meeting was the overtime procedure. Previously, at the end of regulation, if the score was tied, a disc was tossed to determine who would have choice of offense or defense to begin overtime. Now, Rule 6-7-1 has been changed to allow the wrestler who first scored a point during regulation to have the choice in the 30-second tie-breaker.
"I think this is a good change," Crosby said. "This will give wrestlers more incentive to get that first point."
In addition, four other rules changes were addressed:
* Rule 4-3-1 had language added to prohibit the use of any type of electronic communication between a coach and competitor.
* Rule 6-1-3 has been changed to reduce the time of an overtime period from two minutes to one minute.
* In Rule 6-6-2, failure of the official to give the opponent his choice following the calling of a second injury time-out has been added to bad time.
* A new article has been added to Rule 7-3-7 to also penalize the wrestler who appears on the mat not properly equipped, in addition to the penalty to the coach as addressed in Rule 7-5-3.
National Federation Of State High School Associations 2001-02 Major Wrestling Rules Changes
1-1-2 A random draw shall be conducted to determine the first weight class that will be competed in dual matches.
4-3-1 Language has been added to prohibit the use of any type of electronic communication between a coach and competitor.
4-5-1 New regulations for weigh-ins at duals have been implemented.
4-5-3 New regulations for weigh-ins at tournaments have been implemented.
6-1-3 The overtime period has been reduced from two minutes to one minute.
6-6-2 Failure of the official to give the opponent his choice following the calling of a second injury time-out has been added to bad time.
6-7-1 The procedure as to which wrestler has a choice in the tiebreaker has been changed.
7-3-7 A new article has been added to also penalize the wrestler who appears on the mat not properly equipped.