2024-25 NFHS WRESTLING RULES INTERPRETATION POWERPOINT
B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA, NFHS Director of Sports, Sanctioning and Student Services
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This copyrighted power point is presented by the NFHS. This material shall only be reproduced or distributed by member state associations for teaching and training purposes. Distribution to the public is prohibited without the express written consent from the NFHS. Please contact Davis Whitfield, COO at dwhitfield@nfhs.org with requests.
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WRESTLING RULE CHANGES
RULE 2-1-3�MAT
The 10-foot circle at the center of the mat is now optional.
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Rule Change
OPTIONAL 10’ CIRCLE �RULE 2-1-3
ART. 3 . . . The wrestling area shall be marked on the mat by painted lines, 2 inches wide, which are inbounds. At the center of the mat there shall be may be a an optional 10-foot circle, indicated by a 2-inch line. When the area enclosed by the optional 10-foot circle and the inbounds area of the mat are of contrasting colors, the 2-inch line may be omitted.
Rationale:
The starting lines of a mat indicate the center of the mat and the 10-foot circle is not needed. With the new mat designs that have a large mascot or logos, it gives a refreshing look to the wrestling mats. Wrestlers and officials know where the center of the mat is located without the 10-foot circle being present.
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Rule Change
OPTIONAL 10’ CIRCLE�RULE 2-1-4
ART. 4 . . . Starting lines, 1 inch wide, shall be placed at the center of the mat and the front line should lie on the diameter of the optional 10-foot circle or the diameter of the circle that encloses the wrestling area. These 1-inch starting lines shall be parallel, 3-feet long, and 12 inches from outside to outside. The two 3-foot lines shall be connected on one end by a 1-inch red line and on the other end by a 1-inch green line.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
OPTIONAL 10’ CIRCLE�RULE 5-24-1
ART. 1 . . . Each wrestler is required to make an honest attempt to stay within the 10-foot circle in the center of the mat and wrestle aggressively, regardless of position or the time or score of the match. Action is to be maintained throughout the match by the contestants wrestling aggressively whether in the top, bottom or neutral position and both contestants are equally responsible for initiating action.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
OPTIONAL 10’ CIRCLE�RULE 6-5-1
ART. 1 . . . If no fall occurs during the final period, the referee shall direct the wrestlers to return and remain on the 10-foot circle in the center of the mat while the referee verifies the match score. (It may be necessary for the referee to go to the scorer’s table.)
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
OPTIONAL 10’ CIRCLE�RULE 6-6-6
ART. 6 . . . When a coach believes the referee has misapplied a rule or disagrees with judgment, the coach may approach the scorer’s table, request the match be stopped (when there is no significant action) and discuss the matter with the referee directly in front of the scorer’s table. Both wrestlers shall return and remain on the 10-foot circle in the center of the mat. If the referee has misapplied a rule, necessary adjustments will be made, an explanation to the opposing coach will be made, and wrestling will immediately be resumed.
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Rule Change
OPTIONAL 10’ CIRCLE�RULE 6-6-6 (cont.)
If there is no error, or if the coach disagrees with the referee’s judgment, the coaching staff will be penalized for coach misconduct. The first time it occurs in a dual meet or a tournament is a warning; the second time is the deduction of 1 team point; and the third time the head coach shall be removed from the premises for the remainder of the day and 2 team points deducted.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
OPTIONAL 10’ CIRCLE�RULE 7-6-1
ART. 1 . . . Each wrestler is required to make an honest attempt to stay within the 10-foot circle in the center of the mat and wrestle aggressively, regardless of position or the time or score of the match. Action is to be maintained throughout the match by the contestants wrestling aggressively whether in the top, bottom or neutral position and both contestants are equally responsible for initiating action.
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Rule Change
OPTIONAL 10’ CIRCLE�RULE 7-6-1 (cont.)
It is the responsibility of contestants, coaches and referees to avoid the use of stalling tactics or allowing the use thereof. This shall be demonstrated by those responsible with strict enforcement by referees.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
POINTS OF CONTACT�RULES 5-10, 5-15-1, 5-15-2c, 5-15-3, 5-18, 5-22-1, 5-22-2, 5-25-1, 5-25-3, 6-4-1
Only one point of contact must be inbounds (inside or on the boundary lines) in order for wrestling to continue. Points of contact include the head, shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee and foot.
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Rule Change
POINTS OF CONTACT�RULES 5-10, 5-15-1, 5-15-2c, 5-15-3, 5-18, 5-22-1, 5-22-2, 5-25-1, 5-25-3, 6-4-1
Only one point of contact must be inbounds in order for wrestling to continue.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 5-10
ART. 10 . . . An escape is when the defensive wrestler gains a neutral position and the opponent has lost control, beyond reaction time, while one a total of two supporting points point of contact of either wrestler is are inbounds. The total of two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler. If there is no action at the edge of the mat, the referee shall stop the match.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 5-10 (cont.)
Rationale:
This rule would safely eliminate the subjectivity of the out of bounds call. The rule change would also help coaches and wrestlers understand more clearly what out of bounds is and help officials call out of bounds more consistently.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 5-15-1
ART. 1 . . . Contestants are considered to be inbounds if one a total of two point of contact of either wrestler is inside or on the boundary lines. The total of two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler that are inside or on the boundary lines. (Photo 11)
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 5-15-2b
ART. 2 . . . b. When the defensive wrestler is on their back while the supporting point of contact of either wrestler are inbounds wrestling shall continue. In this situation any part of a defensive wrestler's shoulder or scapula is can be considered to be all the point(s) of contact, as well as other point(s) of contact mentioned in 5.15.2a.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 5-15-2c
ART. 2 . . . c. Near-fall points or fall shall be earned only while a the supporting point of contact of either wrestler is are inbounds. In a pinning situation, when all parts of the defensive wrestler's shoulders/scapula are on the mat beyond the boundary line, if the feet including toes and heels of the offensive wrestler are the supporting points, the offensive wrestler's knee(s) must be inside the boundary, whether in contact with or above the mat.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 5-15-3
ART. 3 . . . Wrestling shall continue as long as one a total of two supporting point of contact of either wrestler is inside or on the boundary lines. The total of two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler that remain inbounds. If there is no action at the edge of the mat, the referee shall stop the match.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 5-18
Section 18 . . . Out of bounds occurs when there are is no longer two total supporting points of contact of either wrestler inside or on the boundary line. The total of two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler inside or on the boundary line.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 5-22-1
ART. 1 . . . It is a reversal when the defensive wrestler comes from underneath and gains control of the opponent, either on the mat or in a rear-standing position, while one the total of two supporting points are of contact is inside or on the boundary line. Two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler. If there is no action at the edge of the mat, the referee shall stop the match. (Photos 21 & 22)
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 5-22-2
ART. 2 . . . In awarding a reversal at the edge of the mat, control must be established while one the total of two supporting points of contact of each either wrestler is inside or on the boundary line. The total of two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler inside or on the boundary line or while at least the feet/ foot of the scoring contestant finish down on the mat inbounds.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 5-25-1
ART. 1 . . . It is a takedown when, from the neutral position, a wrestler gains control over the opponent down on the mat and one a total of two supporting points of contact of either wrestler are is inbounds. The total of two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler that are inbounds. When the defensive wrestler's hand(s) touch the mat, it is considered a supporting point(s). (Photos 23-30)
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 5-25-3
ART. 3 . . . In awarding a takedown at the edge of the mat, control must be established while one a total of two supporting points of contact of either wrestler are is in bounds. The total of two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler that are inbounds or while at least the feet foot of the scoring contestant finish down on the mat inbounds. (Photos 32-34)
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 6-4-1
ART. 1 . . . When there are is no longer a total of two supporting point of contact points of either wrestler on or inside the boundary line, wrestling shall be stopped and wrestlers returned to the center of the mat and started according to the position of each at the time they went out of bounds. The total of two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler inside or on the boundary line.
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Rule Change
ONE POINT OF CONTACT�RULE 6-4-1 (cont.)
If the wrestlers go out of bounds in the neutral position, the match shall be resumed with each wrestler at the designated green or red area. If the fourth stalling penalty is awarded, the match is stopped and the opponent gets choice on restart.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
NEAR-FALL�RULES 5-11-2g, 5-11-2h, 5-11-3, 9-1-5
Depending on how long criteria is met, a wrestler may score two, three, four or five points for a near-fall.
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Rule Change
NEAR-FALL�RULE 5-11-2g, h
ART. 2 . . . A near fall occurs when the offensive wrestler has control of the opponent in a pinning situation and near-fall criteria are met for a period of two seconds or longer. (Photos 5-8):
g. If the defensive wrestler is injured, indicates an injury or bleeding occurs after the two-point near-fall criteria of two count have been met and before the three-point near-fall criteria of a three count have been earned, the match will be stopped, and a three-point near-fall will be awarded. If near-fall criteria of three count have been met and before the four-point near-fall criteria of a four count have been earned, the match will be stopped, and a four-point near-fall will be awarded.
h. If the defensive wrestler is injured or indicates and injury or bleeding occurs after a four-point near fall is earned, the match will be stopped, and a five-point near fall shall be awarded;
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Rule Change
NEAR-FALL�RULE 5-11-2g,h (cont.)
Rationale: �The goal in wrestling is to pin your opponent. Changing the near-fall points awarded should motivate wrestlers to work for a fall and simplify the points award based on how long the wrestler is held in near-fall criteria.
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Rule Change
NEAR-FALL�RULE 5-11-3
ART. 3 . . . If the near-fall criteria are met for a period of two seconds, a two-point near fall will be earned and if the near-fall criteria are met for five continuous seconds, a three-point near fall will be earned. If the near-fall criteria are met for two continuous seconds a two-point near-fall will be earned. If near-fall criteria are met for three continuous seconds a three-point near-fall will be earned. If near-fall criteria are met for four continuous seconds a four-point near-fall will be earned.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
NEAR-FALL�RULE 9-1-5
ART. 5 . . . The wrestler in the advantage position is awarded two-points when near-fall criteria is met for two seconds or if the defensive wrestler is injured, indicates an injury or bleeding occurs just prior to near-fall criteria of two seconds is met. Three-points will be awarded when near-fall criteria is met for three seconds or if the defensive wrestler is injured, indicates an injury or bleeding occurs after two-point near-fall has been earned just prior to near-fall criteria of three seconds is met.
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Rule Change
NEAR-FALL�RULE 9-1-5 (cont.)
Four-points will be awarded when near-fall criteria is met for four seconds or if the defensive wrestler is injured, indicates an injury or bleeding occurs after the three-point near fall has been earned just prior to near-fall of four seconds is met. Five points will be awarded if the defensive wrestler is injured, indicates an injury or bleeding occurs after the four-point near-fall has been earned. A visual hand count, to determine the time, shall be used when feasible.
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
NEAR-FALL�SCORING SYMBOLS
All symbols remain the same except the following:
N2 Near-Fall 2 seconds
N3 Near-fall 3 seconds
N4 Near-fall 4 seconds
N5 Near-fall (as a result of injury, indication of injury or bleeding occurs after four-points near-fall has been earned)
Rationale:
Same.
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Rule Change
TECHNICAL FALL�RULE 5-11-4
In PlayPic A, the offensive wrestler has met near-fall criteria to take a 15-point lead. When the criteria is no longer met, as in PlayPic B, the match ends with a technical fall.
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A
B
Rule Change
TECHNICAL FALL�RULE 5-11-4
ART. 4 . . . A technical fall occurs when a wrestler has earned a 15-point advantage over the opponent, however;
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Rule Change
TECHNICAL FALL�RULE 5-11-4
Rationale:
This change will consistently clarify when the technical fall has concluded in relation to the near-fall criteria being met. The offensive wrestler cannot be penalized appropriately after the technical fall has been earned.
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Rule Change
SIGNAL CHART
A signal has been added to the signal chart. Tapping the chest with hands flattened indicates a referee’s time-out.
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Rule Change
TIME-OUT SIGNAL
ART. 4 . . . Referee's time-out. If the referee needs to address a situation not covered by injury, blood or recovery time, a referee's time-out shall be charged. That signal would be both hands/fingers pointing inward to the referee’s chest.
Rationale:
This signal is used universally in many other sports but has never been codified in the NFHS Wrestling Rules Book. An additional signal needs to be added to the Official Wrestling Signal making it signal #29.
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Rule Change
TAKEDOWN�RULE 9-1-2, SUMMARY OF SCORING
When a takedown is secured, the wrestler shall be awarded three points.
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Rule Change
TAKEDOWN�RULE 9-1-2
ART. 2 . . . When a takedown is secured, the wrestler shall be awarded two three match points.
Rationale:
To promote more scoring activity when wrestlers are in neutral position.
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Rule Change
TAKEDOWN�SUMMARY OF SCORING & SCORING SYMBOLS
SUMMARY OF SCORING
Note: Everything remains the same except:
Takedown 3pts.
SCORING SYMBOLS
Note: Everything remains the same except:
T2 T3. . . . . . . . . Takedown
Rationale:
This is a complimentary rule change to reflect the action taken with Rule 9-1-2.
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Rule Change
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
DANGEROUS MANEUVERS AND HOLDS
Coaches and referees must work together to keep certain techniques out of wrestling. Illegal holds as the nelson cradle shown here must be eradicated from the sport. The NFHS abhors any move, maneuver or hold that intentionally injures limbs, joints, penetrates any body cavities or renders a wrestler unconscious.
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Points of Emphasis
STALLING
Defensive wrestler not wrestling aggressively (A) and pulling the wrestler out of bounds from behind (B) are acts of stalling. Penalizing stalling helps ensure an exciting, competitive match.
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Points of Emphasis
STALEMATE
A stalemate occurs when neither wrestler can improve their respective positions.
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Points of Emphasis
REFEREE’S DUTIES
The referee works with meet personnel to ensure the score is correct and the proper wrestler has secured the victory. Other duties include skin checks and grooming, checking the legality of special equipment, uniforms, pads and taping, the referee is responsible for making sure the mat, mat areas and their markings are compliant.
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Points of Emphasis
IMMINENT SCORING
Imminent scoring is typically referred to as a situation where one wrestler is on the verge of scoring point(s).
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Points of Emphasis
DEFAULT, FORFEIT, MEDICAL FORFEIT
• A default is awarded when a wrestler is unable to continue wrestling for any reason. The opponent wins and the defaulting wrestler receives the loss.
• A forfeit is when an opponent fails to appear for a match for any reason. Their opponent shall be present in a legal uniform on the mat, ready to wrestle. The forfeiting wrestler takes a loss on their record and is out of competition.
• It is a medical forfeit if the forfeiting wrestler cannot wrestle due to an injury or illness that occurred during the tournament. The wrestler remains in the tournament if possible (moving down to the consolation bracket) and does not take a loss on their record.
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Points of Emphasis
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