National Federation of State High School Associations
2022-23 NFHS WRESTLING RULE INTERPRETATION POWERPOINT
B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA
Director of Sports, Sanctioning and Student Services
THE MERCADO® HEADGEAR
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF
STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
NFHS RULES REVIEW COMMITTEE
Davis Whitfield | Lindsey Atkinson | Bob Colgate | Sandy Searcy | Elliot Hopkins | Julie Cochran | James Weaver | Dan Schuster |
Chief Operating | Basketball, Girls | Football and Sports | Softball, Swimming & | Baseball and | Cross Country, Gymnastics, | Boys Lacrosse | Ice Hockey |
Officer | Lacrosse and Volleyball | Medicine | Diving and Water Polo | Wrestling | Field Hockey, Soccer and Track & Field | and Spirit | |
RULE CHANGES
UNIFORMS
4-1-1a NOTE, 4-1-1c NOTE
RULE 4-1-1a NOTE
Rule Change
RULE 4-1-1c NOTE
Rule Change
RULE 4-1-1a and 4-1-1c NOTES
RATIONALE:
To address numerous reported incidents of officials telling female contestants that ALL females are required to wear a compression shirt under their singlet in addition of wearing a sports bra, we believe the wrestling community is in need of clarification for both notes.
Rule Change
Rule Change
RULE 4-2-1 FACIAL HAIR
ILLEGAL
ILLEGAL
Rule Change
RULE 4-2-1 HAIR CONTROL AND ADORNMENTS
Hair control devices and other adornments in the hair that are securely fastened and do not present an increased risk to the wrestler, teammates or opponents are allowed. The hair control device and adornments in PlayPic B and PlayPic C would need to be covered with a legal hair cover.
RULE 4-2-1 FACIAL HAIR AND HAIR CONTROL
Rule Change
RULE 4-2-1 FACIAL HAIR AND HAIR CONTROL
Rule Change
RULE 4-2-1 FACIAL HAIR AND HAIR CONTROL
Rule Change
RULE 4-2-1 FACIAL HAIR AND HAIR CONTROL
Rule Change
Rationale:
Several member state associations successfully piloted a facial hair experiment during each of the last two seasons. There were no issues reported to those participating state associations.
The pilot study was supported by the respective state associations’ Sport Medicine Advisory Committees (SMAC) whose members work as physicians at their states’ wrestling championships. Member state associations did not experience any difficulties in performing skin checks.
CURRENT WEIGHT CLASSIFICATIONS RULE 4-4-1
Rule Change
145 lbs., 152 lbs., 160 lbs., 170 lbs., 182 lbs., 195 lbs., 220 lbs.,
285 lbs.
Rule Change
RULE 4-5-7 WEIGHING-IN
RULE 4-5-7 WEIGHING-IN
Rule Change
RULE 4-5-7 WEIGHING-IN
Rule Change
Rationale:
Rule 4-5-7 is a clarification of what female wrestlers shall wear at the weigh-in.
Rule Change
SHOELACES
4-1-3, 5-24-6d, 5-27-1e, 7-3-5, 7-6-6d, 8-1-1, 8-1-
2f EXC. (2), 8-1-4 EXC., STALLING PENALTY CHART
.
RULE 4-1-3 WRESTLERS’ UNIFORM (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
ART. 3 . . . Wrestlers shall wear light heelless wrestling shoes, reaching above the ankles, if laces are visible, they shall be secured in an acceptable fashion. If the shoelaces come untied or shoe comes off, the penalty would be an automatic stalling call.
RATIONALE:
The penalty to issue a technical violation and use one of two injury time-outs is too punitive for shoelaces that become untied and/or the shoe(s) come off. An appropriate penalty would be correcting the infraction by issuing a stalling call.
RULE 5-24-6d STALLING (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
ART. 6 . . . It is stalling when either wrestler:
RULE 5-27-1e,f TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
ART. 1 . . . These are the types of technical violations. Each is penalized without warning as outlined in Rule 7-3:
RULE 5-27-1e,f TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
e. Reporting to the scorer’s table not properly equipped, ready to wrestle or any equipment that is detected as being illegal after the match has started.
RULE 5-27-1e,f TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
RATIONALE:
The penalty to issue a technical violation and use one of two injury time outs is too severe for a shoe to become untied or come off. A more prudent penalty would be correcting the infraction by issuing a stalling call. These rules are in support of the change.
RULE 7-3-5 TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
ART. 5 . . . Reporting to the scorer’s table, not properly equipped, or shoe coming off during wrestling action or not ready to wrestle, or any equipment that is detected as being illegal after the match has started is a technical violation. (See Penalty Chart)
RATIONALE:
The penalty to issue a technical violation and use one of two injury time outs is too severe for a shoe to become untied or coming off. A more prudent penalty would be correcting the infraction by issuing a stalling call. These rules are in support of the change.
RULE 7-6-6d STALLING (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
ART. 6 . . . It is stalling when either wrestler:
RULE 7-6-6d STALLING (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
RATIONALE:
The penalty to issue a technical violation and use one of two injury time outs is too severe for a shoe to become untied or come off. A more prudent penalty would be correcting the infraction by issuing a stalling call. These rules are in support of the change.
RULE 8-1-1, 8-1-2 (2)EXC., 8-1-4 EXC. PENALTY ADMINISTRATION
Rule Change
Any contestant not reporting to the scorer’s table, not properly equipped or not ready to wrestle is a technical violation. Penalties for shoe and shoelace violations before the match started would be subject to injury time.
RULE 8-1-1 PENALTY ADMINISTRATION (SHOELACES)
ART. 1 . . . Any contestant not reporting to the scorer’s table not properly equipped or not ready to wrestle is a technical violation. A wrestler with greasy substance on the body or uniform, improper grooming, objectionable pads and braces, illegal equipment, illegal uniform or any equipment that is detected as being illegal after the match has started shall be disqualified if not removed or corrected within the 1 ½ minute injury time. Penalties for shoe and shoelace violations, would not be subject to injury time, and would be penalized as stalling only after the match has started.
Rule Change
RULE 8-1-1 PENALTY ADMINISTRATION (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
RATIONALE:
When a wrestler reports to the table not being ready to wrestle, the penalty is to issue a technical violation and use one of two injury time outs. However, when wrestler’s shoe becomes untied or comes off during the match, the penalty will be a stalling call.
RULE 8-1-2 EXC. PENALTY ADMINISTRATION (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
ART. 2 . . . When indicating an infraction, the referee shall stop the match with the following exceptions:
RULE 8-1-2 EXC. PENALTY ADMINISTRATION (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
c. warning or penalizing the defensive wrestler for stalling or a technical violation when the defensive wrestler is on their feet (regardless of the position/location of the offensive wrestler) (except when a two-point stall is awarded);
d. in a pinning situation, to penalize the defensive wrestler;
EXCEPTION: When the situation has concluded, the referee shall stop the match, signal and verbally announce the infraction and award points earned.
RULE 8-1-2 EXC. PENALTY ADMINISTRATION (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
e. Locked hands or grasping of clothing by the offensive wrestler while the defensive wrestler is attempting an escape or reversal;
EXCEPTION: The referee shall stop the match when it is obvious the defensive wrestler will not complete an escape or reversal. If the defensive wrestler is successful with the escape or reversal, the match shall not be stopped to award points.
RULE 8-1-2 EXC. PENALTY ADMINISTRATION (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
EXCEPTION: The referee shall stop the match when it is obvious that the takedown will not be completed. If the takedown is successful, the match shall not be stopped to award points.
(2) EXCEPTION: Related to stall calls including the two-point stall call, as shown in items a-f above. The match would not be stopped to warn or penalize for stalling, including a two-point stall. If the stalling is for any shoes or shoelace violations, during any significant action or imminent scoring situations.
RULE 8-1-2 EXC. PENALTY ADMINISTRATION (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
RATIONALE:
The penalty to issue a technical violation and use one of two injury time outs is too severe for a shoe to become untied or come off. A more prudent penalty would be correcting the infraction by issuing a stalling call. These rules are in support of the change.
RULE 8-1-4 EXC. PENALTY ADMINISTRATION (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
ART. 4 . . . Warnings and penalties for stalling are cumulative throughout the match and are penalized independent of the progressive penalty chart. On the first offense the wrestler will receive a warning. The opponent of the offender will be awarded one match point on the second and third offense. The match shall be stopped on the fourth offense and the opponent shall be awarded two points and given choice of position. A fifth offense shall result in disqualification. (See Stalling Penalty Chart)
RULE 8-1-4 EXC. PENALTY ADMINISTRATION (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
EXCEPTION: Related to stall calls including the two-point stall call, as shown in items a-f above. The match would not be stopped to warn or penalize for stalling, including a two-point stall. If the stalling is for any shoes or shoelace violations, during any significant action or imminent scoring situations.
RULE 8-1-4 EXC. PENALTY ADMINISTRATION (SHOELACES)
Rule Change
RATIONALE:
The penalty to issue a technical violation and use one of two injury time outs is too severe for a shoe to become untied or come off. A more prudent penalty would be correcting the infraction by issuing a stalling call. These rules are in support of the change.
STALLING PENALTY CHART (SHOELACES)
**The match would not be stopped to warn or penalize for stalling, including a two-point stall, if the stalling is for any shoes or shoelace violations, during any significant action or imminent
scoring situations.
RATIONALE:
The penalty to issue a technical violation and use one of two injury time outs is too severe for a shoe to become untied or coming off. A more prudent penalty would be correcting the infraction by issuing a stalling call. These rules are in support of the change.
Rule Change
EDITORIAL CHANGES
RULE 3-1-14 REFEREE’S DUTIES
Editorial Change
ART. 14. . . During injury, blood, HNC or recovery time-outs, the referee should be in a position to monitor the appropriate clock and wrestlers. The referee should notify the coach and/or wrestler at the one-minute mark and the 30-second mark as to the amount of time remaining.
RATIONALE:
Clarification.
RULE 5-21-1 RANDOM DRAW
Editorial Change
ART. 1. . . Random draw is the random selection of one of the 14 weight classes (effective July 1, 2023, the draw will be used for one of the 12, 13, or 14 weight classes) to determine the starting weigh-in order and order of weight classes for the dual meet. 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. The draw shall take place immediately preceding the weigh-ins and be supervised by the referee or other authorized person. The weight class drawn will be considered an odd match and will determine which weight class will start weigh-ins and the dual meet with the other weight classes following in the sequential order.
RULE 5-21-1 RANDOM DRAW
Editorial Change
RATIONALE:
Clarification.
CORRECTIONS
CORRECTIONS
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Points of Emphasis
GOOD SPORTING BEHAVIOR
SPORTSMANSHIP
Points of Emphasis
Good sporting behavior is one of the fundamental ingredients to the continued success and enjoyment of education-based high school sports and activities. In fact, in the 103-year history of organized high school sports in the United States, good sportsmanship has been one of the most important outcomes of high school activity programs.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Points of Emphasis
NFHS playing rules are written to encourage sportsmanship. Participation in these programs should promote respect, integrity and sportsmanship. However, for these ideals to occur, everyone involved in these programs must be doing their part.
The NFHS is concerned that unsporting behavior in education-based athletics has increased across all sports. As a result, the NFHS has made sportsmanship the No. 1 Point of Emphasis for the 2022-23 school year.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Points of Emphasis
Sportsmanship, or good sporting behavior, is about treating one another with respect and exhibiting appropriate behavior. It is about being fair, honest and caring. When these types of appropriate behavior occur, competitive play is more enjoyable for everyone.
Coaches set the tone at athletic contests with their display of sportsmanship. If these individuals act in a sportsmanlike manner, their behavior sets the tone for players, spectators and others. If coaches, however, are complaining constantly about the decision of
contest officials, spectators are more likely to do the same.
SPORTSMANSHIP
There must be a collaborative, working relationship between contest officials and game administration to promote good sportsmanship and safely conduct the contest. Everyone has their roles to play in creating a positive, sportsmanlike atmosphere at contests.
Officials should focus on the actions of players, coaches and other bench/sideline personnel. A positive, open line of communication between officials and coaches ultimately results in a better contest for everyone involved.
Points of Emphasis
SPORTSMANSHIP
Points of Emphasis
Contest officials, however, should never engage with spectators who are exhibiting unsporting behavior. Once the contest begins, school administration is responsible for dealing with unruly spectators. A proactive approach by school administration includes monitoring the behavior of spectators and intervening as needed.
If spectators are using demeaning or profane language at officials – or at others in the stands – those individuals should be removed from the contest by school administration.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Points of Emphasis
In recent years, a heightened level of unsportsmanlike behavior has been occurring by spectators at high school sporting events, and it must be stopped. The use of demeaning language, or hate speech, by students, parents and other fans must cease.
High school sports and other activities exist to lift people up, not demean or tear people down. The goal is to treat everyone fairly and treat each other with respect. Any speech or harassment that is insulting, demeaning or hurtful will not be tolerated.
SPORTSMANSHIP
High schools must establish a culture that values the worth of every single person – both players on the school’s team and players on the opposing team. There must be a no-tolerance policy regarding behavior that shows disrespect for another individual.
Good sports win with humility, lose with grace and do both with dignity. It takes the efforts of everyone every day to ensure that sportsmanship remains one of the top priorities in education- based activity programs.
Points of Emphasis
Points of Emphasis
ILLEGAL HARMFUL HOLDS AND MANEUVERS
Coaches and referees must work together to keep illegal and dangerous techniques such as the Nelson cradle (PlayPic A) and the straight-back salto (PlayPic B) out of the sport.
ILLEGAL HARMFUL HOLDS AND MANEUVERS
Points of Emphasis
Illegal, Harmful Holds and Maneuvers
In the purest form of wrestling, two similar sized athletes use their strength, guile, ability and repertoire of moves to control and dominate their opponent. We have always made moves and maneuvers that intentionally injure or punish a wrestler illegal and work on removing them from our sport. We are noticing that some moves, maneuvers and holds are starting to filter down to our level from other influences that are not education-based athletics.
ILLEGAL HARMFUL HOLDS AND MANEUVERS
Points of Emphasis
We abhor any move, maneuver or hold that intentionally injures limbs and joints or penetrates any body cavities. Allowing those techniques to infiltrate into our sport is irresponsible, dangerous and in certain jurisdictions illegal.
No one wants to drive any students out of the sport. If parents are not confident that their children are in a well-managed risk environment, then they will not let them participate. That would be devastating to a sport that we have already seen a trend of declining participation numbers.
ILLEGAL HARMFUL HOLDS AND MANEUVERS
Points of Emphasis
We need to do everything possible in our schools to attract more students and retain them in our programs. Eliminating questionable moves, maneuvers and holds is the first place to start. Regardless of your role as either coach or referee, you must work together to keep certain techniques out of our sport.
Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the world. The benefits of participating are phenomenal in developing high school students to better understand their bodies, appreciate discipline, be self-reliant and develop toughness that will be a life skill that they will use their
entire lives.
ILLEGAL HARMFUL HOLDS AND MANEUVERS
Points of Emphasis
Let us direct our attention to preserving our sport for many more generations to come.
Points of Emphasis
UNIFORMS
UNIFORMS
Points of Emphasis
Uniforms are a key component in every sport. However, they are extremely important to wrestling because their proper wearing, cleanliness and sizing is critical to their functionality for the wrestler. A dirty, mis-sized uniform is an impediment that interferes with wrestling. Keeping the uniform washed and clean reduces risks of transmitting skin issues which protects the opponent, referee and provides comfort for the wearer.
UNIFORMS
Wherever possible a uniform (singlet or two-piece) should be issued to a student that best fits their size, weight and gender. It is disconcerting to have a lighter weight wrestler wearing a stretched out uniform while wrestling and the back of their uniform is touching the mat during competition. The referee has no other choice but to award a fall to their opponent.
Points of Emphasis
UNIFORMS
Points of Emphasis
In fairness and practicality, we cannot expect a girl to perform her best if she has to be concerned in the back of her mind about her uniform and if it will support her while she is competing. We are not suggesting a wholesale overhaul of your uniform stock, but we are asking you to inspect what you have and if it is financially feasible replace your inventory with newer and properly fitted uniforms. It will benefit the morale and confidence of your wrestlers. Whereas a properly fitted uniform might have resulted in a different result. We have experienced an increase of over 30,000 girls entering our sport
and many are being issued male uniforms.
RULES REMINDERS
LOGO ON EAR GUARDS RULE 4-1-4
Rules Reminder
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF
STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
NEW NFHS RULES APP
GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOLS AND STATE ASSOCIATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION OF
ACCOMMODATIONS
NFHS LEARNING CENTER
NFHS NETWORK
NFHS NETWORK
National Federation of State High School Associations
THANK YOU. HAVE A WONDERFUL SEASON!