Rules Clinic for Officials
Priorities:
Signals:
Communication with the table is very important. Use of the correct signals will inform the table what is going on, and also the spectators.
To signal points scored, raise the hand with the color of the scoring wrestler above shoulder height. Extend the correct amount of fingers for the score and rotate your hand.
This rotation makes sure the table can see how many fingers are extended so they get the points right.
To signal penalties, stop the match and make eye contact with the table. Show the table to correct signal for the penalty and how many points it scores. Restart the match.
For injury time, extend one finger on the hand with the injured wrestler’s color and make a circular motion.
For blood time, extend one finger and touch your nose.
Illegal holds:
Holds are illegal by application. If a wrestler attempts to apply and illegal hold, it is a penalty. Any hold used to punish is an illegal act, unnecessary roughness.
Potentially Dangerous holds:
A hold is potentially dangerous by definition or application. A hold that is legal may become potentially dangerous, i.e. a limb is taken to the limit of normal motion. If you become concerned for the limb or joint, stop the match and restart it.
A front headlock is potentially dangerous upon application because of the potential to disruption to the airway or blood flow. You do not have to stop the match to break the hold but it must be monitored closely. After a brief time tell the wrestler applying the hold to “Use it or lose it”. Change levels to check the headlock.
Coaches:
A coach may request a time out during a match to discuss a rules application or judgment. If the rules were applied correctly or the judgment is not changed, the coach will be charged with misconduct. Misconduct does not carry over a multi-day event. There is only room for the wrestlers and the officials on the mat. A coach entering the mat is charged with unsportsmanlike. Unsportsmanlike does carry over a multi-day event.
Try to keep the coaches in the event. Talk to them, get them calm, try not to surprise them with a call. If you penalize a coach, make a note on the bout sheet and report it to the head official.
Penalties:
Learn the penalty table.
Basically illegal acts are penalized as follows: 1x1 point, 2x1 point, 3x2 points, 4x disqualification. Stalling gets a warning then apply the penalties. Technical violations are
part of this process.
Cautions are not part of the penalty process. . Cautions work as follows: I" no penalty, 2x no penalty, 3x 1 point, each succeeding time lpoint. You cannot disqualify on cautions. Penalties during the match result in match points. You add points to the opponent, not subtract them from the offender.
Tournament: A wrestler not making weight may step on each available scale one time after completion of the 275-pound class.
Wrestler may not use dehydration techniques or leave the weigh-in area while waiting to weigh again.
At the conclusion of the weigh-in period, a random draw of the weight classes will be done to determine the weight that a dual meet will start at. Rule 5. Definitions.
Neutral Position - No control by either wrestler
Inbounds- when either wrestler has supporting parts inside the boundary line. Supporting parts are where the wrestler's weight is, generally hands, feet, thighs or butt.
Neutral start- each wrestler has one foot in contact with the starting line of his color. The other foot may be on an extension of this line or behind the line.
Referees position - Defensive (down) Wrestler must put both knees behind the white starting line and both hands over the other starting line. Knees must be parallel to the starting line and elbows may not touch the mat. The position must allow the offensive (up) wrestler the chance for a fair start.
Offensive (up) position- either on the left or right side of the down wrestler. One hand on the elbow and one knee down on the same side as the elbow being held. The other hand will be placed around the down wrestlers body and loosely on the navel. The head will be on or above the spine. The other foot may be behind a line parallel to the down mans feet.
Optional start position - The offensive wrestler may choose the optional position. In this position the up man will place only his hands, thumbs touching, on the down mans back. He may stand, kneel, or combination in the space from the left starting line around to the right starting line. He may not insert his feet or knees between the down mans feet.
Takedown - When one wrestler gains control of his opponent down on the mat, inbounds.
Reversal- when a wrestler changes from being controlled to being in control. Escape - When a wrester goes from being controlled to a neutral position. Near fall - when a wrestler is controlled on the mat with one shoulder on the mat and the other at an angle of 45 degrees or less, or the defensive wrestler with both elbows supporting himself, or a high bridge. Inbounds. Fall (pin)- when part of both pinning areas are held in contact with the mat for two (2) seconds. Inbounds
Technical fall - when one wrestler gains a 12-point difference in Kids or 15 points in High School.
Rule 6. Conduct of Matches
A match consists of three periods plus overtime and tiebreaker if needed.
Tournaments:
First period starting position is the neutral position.
Second period - toss the red/green disk in the air and let it land on the mat. The color that is showing will have choice of position for the second period. The choices are up, down, neutral or defer. If a wrestler chooses to defer the other wrestler must make a choice.
Third period - the wrestler who did not choose in the second period will have choice in the period.
Dual meet:
First period starting position is the neutral position.
Second period starting position is the team indicated by the toss of the disk prior to the meet starting. A choice must be made of up, down, neutral or defer choice.
Third period starting position is the wrestler who did not choose in the second period must choose.
Overtime is started in the neutral position.
Tiebreaker is started with the wrestler who scored first in the match having choice of position. The choice must be up, down, or defer.
To start the match- Both wrestlers will report to the scorer's table to check
in for their bout and receive their color assignment for the match. They will then go to the center of the mat and put on their leg bands. The referee will check that the wrestlers are ready and have them shake hands. The referee will then blow the whistle to start the match. The referee will conduct the
rest of the match stopping for out of bounds, penalties, potentially dangerous holds, end-of-period and injury time outs as needed. At the end of the match the referee will verify the score and raise the winners hand. Both wrestlers will shake hands and go shake the hand of the opposing coach.
If an error is detected, it will be corrected in accordance with rule 6 section 6.
Bad time occurs when the wrestlers start in the wrong position, the wrong
wrestler given choice at the start of the 3rd period or choice of position is not given after the 2nd injury timeout. All points earned are voided except flagrant misconduct, unsportsmanlike conduct, unnecessary roughness, illegal holds and blood time. Errors requiring rewrestling of bad time must be corrected before the next period. If an error occurs at the start of the period, a one minute rest will be given the wrestlers and the period restarted. If the error occurs after the start of the period, determine the bad time, add the time back to the match time and continue, wrestling without delay.
Rule 7. Infractions
Slam - a slam occurs when one wrestler lifts the other and brings him to the mat with unnecessary force. If YOU Dick'em UD, you're responsible for Dutting them down.
Belly-to-belly and back-to-back throws cannot be taken straight over the top. The throwing wrestler must take it around the corner.
Learn the illegal holds as listed in the rulebook.
If the defensive wrestler forces a legal hold to an illegal hold, have the offensive wrestler adjust his hold or break the hold. Resume wrestling in the same position from the referees start.
Potentially Dangerous holds are those holds that risk respiration, circulation, or limb. Several are listed in the rule but any hold forced to the limits of movement is potentially dangerous. WHEN YOU BECOME CONCERENED ABOUT THE HOLD, STOP IT. We want everyone to leave the tournament the same way they arrived.
Special attention to Rule 7 Section 2 Article 4.
A wrestler may not use a hold to cause punishment to his opponent. Stop
the match and restart it as an out-of-bounds. .
Technical Violations
Reporting to the mat, not properly dressed or not ready to wrestle is a technical violation.
Incorrect start position or false starts are a technical violation.
Fleeing the mat or forcing the opponent to leave the mat to avoid wrestling is a technical violation.
Leaving the mat without permission from the referee is a technical violation.
The figure-four leg scissors to the head from the neutral position is a technical violation.
Grasping of clothing to prevent or assist a score is a technical violation. Locking or overlapping hands in the offensive position, unless the opponent is on his feet or lifted in the air or in near fall criteria, is a technical violation. Stalling - stalling occurs when either wrestler refuses to wrestle in the center of the mat or will not work to improve a non-pinning hold. A wrestler must also work to escape if he is down.
Unnecessary roughness and Unsportsmanlike conduct involve physical or non-physical acts. Unnecessary roughness occurs during the match Unsportsmanlike conduct occurs before. during, or after the match. Flagrant misconduct is any physical or non-physical act that can occur before, during, or after the match.
Intent to iniure is flaarant misconduct and cause for immediate disaualification from the tournament.
Rule 8. Penalties and Injuries
Wrestlers reporting to the mat improperly dressed, not ready to wrestle, or with illegal equipment will have 1- V2 minutes to correct the problem or be disqualified. Coach of said wrestler will be charged with unsportsmanlike conduct.
Referee will stop the match to issue penalties except:
Stalling on defensive wrestler.
Stalling in the neutral position.
In a pinning situation to penalize the defensive wrestler.
Locking of hands or grasping of clothing while scoring action is in progress. Figure 4 head scissors in the neutral position when a takedown is in process. Penalties accumulate throughout the match. First penalty 1 point, second penalty 1 point, third penalty 2 points, fourth penalty disqualification. Stalling has a warning the first time, then the penalties start.
False starts or incorrect starts 2 cautions then 1 point
each time. Do not disqualify for false starts.
Unsportsmanlike conduct by a wrestler prior to or after a
match results in a team point deduction. Second offense is removal from the
tournament. Penalty carries over in a multi-day event.
Coaches misconduct is a warning the 1st time, 1 team point the 2nd time, and removal of the head coach and 1 team point the 3rd time. Penalties do not carryover in a multi-day event.
Flagrant misconduct results in removal from the premises, a
2 team point deduction, and loss of all placement, fall or advancement points
earned. Flagrant misconduct carries over for the entire event.
Students removed from the event that do not have adult supervision will be restricted to the team bench.
Injury timeouts are for a wrestler being hurt during the match not as the result of an illegal move.
Injury timeout is limited to 1 V2 minute's total or 2
timeouts. After 2nd injury time the opponent has choice of position for
the restart. If the 2nd timeout is after the 1st and before the start of the
2nd period the opponent has choice for the remaining 2 periods. If the 2nd
timeout occurs during the tiebreaker the opponent will have choice for the
restart. Time required to correct equipment or dress is counted as injury time
but not an injury timeout. Injured wrestlers may not be coached during
injury time.
A wrestler injured by an illegal hold, unnecessary roughness
or other illegal act is allowed 2 minutes of recovery time. Wrestlers may be
coached during recovery time.
Injury time may not be used immediately following recovery time.
The match must be stopped for bleeding. A wrestler has 5 minutes of blood time. Clean UP after the bleeding is controlled does not count as blood time. If a wrestler is bleeding or cannot continue after time for these has expired and the cause was an illegal act, he shall be the winner. If an illegal act was not the cause his opponent will be the winner by default.
A wrestler who apparently loses consciousness may not continue without the written approval of a physician.
If a physician says a wrestler may not continue, they will not be overruled.
Rule 9. Scoring
Match scoring will be kept in plain view for the coaches, wrestlers and fans.
A takedown is worth 2 points.
An escape is worth 1 point.
A reversal is worth 2 points.
If the offensive wrestler holds the defensive wrestler in near-fall criteria for 2 seconds it is worth 2 points, 5 seconds 3 points.
If the defensive wrestler is injured or bleeds just prior to near fall it will be 2 points for the offensive wrestler, if a 2 point near-fall has been earned it will be 3 points, if a 3 point near-fall has been earned it will be 4 points. Penalty points are scored according to the penalty chart.
High school - dual meet competition
Each match will be worth team points according to the following chart.
6 points - Fall 5 points - Technical fall
Default . 4 points - Major decision: 8+ point difference
Disqualification 3 points - Decision: less than 8 point difference
Forfeit
A double forfeit or void is not scored for either team.
Tournament and advancement scoring are as indicated in the rule book.
Rule 10. Conduct of tournaments
High School- Tournaments are conducted according to UIL policies & guidelines.
Recording of matches is permitted unless specifically prohibited.
Videotape or film review during competition is prohibited.
The deadline for verifying entries is the end of weigh in or the posted time. Failure to appear at the mat within 5 minutes of the first call shall result in a forfeit.
Defeat due to injury does not disqualify a wrestler.
A wrestler who has lost consciousness will not be allowed to continue without the written approval of a physician.
The tournament director along with the coach of an injured or ill wrestler will determine if a wrestler may continue after consulting tournament medical personnel.
A forfeit will disqualify a wrestler from the remainder of the tournament unless it was the result of injury or illness suffered during the tournament. Depending on the severity, a wrestler disqualified from a match may be eliminated from the tournament.
Wrestlers who do not make weight each day are ineligible to continue and a forfeit will be awarded to his opponent.
Bracketing will be done as listed in the rulebook.
National Federation Of State High School Association
2002-03 Major Wrestling Rules Changes
4-1-1a
Language added to define an undershirt when worn under the sleeveless shirt.
The requirement for a shoe to have laces has been removed a~ long as the shoe meets all other regulations.
A wrestler's shaved head must be no more abrasive than a clean shaven face or the competitor must wear a legal hair cover. The 215 lbs, weight class is no longer an option. There now are 14 weight classes.
The weigh-in procedure for duals, multiple-dual events and individual tournaments has been modified to reflect the same procedures with the only difference being the i-hour and 2-hOl time frames. A gender-specific procedure has been established for weigh-ins.
The provision for state associations to establish weigh-in procedures for subsequent days of tournaments has been removed, All regular and post-season tournaments will now be following the 2-hour weigh-in stipulation for each day of a tournament.
Language has been added that once a wrestler weigh-ins, the competitor cannot re-weigh in order to move up to another weight class.
Penalties for illegal holds, unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct have been added to this Article.
The throwing of any wrestler's equipment is unsportsmanlike conduct.
The restriction of coaching a competitor during an injury time-out has been removed.
1. Front headlocks
2. Hygiene: wrestler, clothing and mats
3. Intimidation, unnecessary roughness and taunting
4. Headgear delay
Rule changes and
case interpretations for'
2002-03
Weigh-ins
All wrestlers must be present at the start of weigh-ins. No late arrivals. Wrestlers may weigh in 1 time only. No re-weighs to change class. Wrestlers may weigh 2 times on first scale then I time on each available scale, for tournaments.
F or dual meets wrestlers may weigh 2 times on the same scale. Wrestlers will be weighed in by same sex persons.
Weigh-ins shall be same day as competition. 2nd day weigh-ins will be 2nd day. 1 lb. allowance per day
Uniform and Appearance
T -shirts, when allowed, must be a single, solid color with only a manufacturer's logo/trademark. Notice of need should be presented prior to competition.
Shoes- may be laced or laceless, if otherwise legal.
Shaved heads - must be smooth and non-abrasive. If not, a hair cover must be worn
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
The throwing of any equipment (headgear, kneepads, etc...) is now unsportsmanlike conduct.
Penalties added
Defensive wrestler may now be penalized for illegal, unsportsmanlike or unnecessary roughness while in the process of being turned, or held for near fall points. Applied similar to scream rule.
Injury timeout
Coaches may now instruct their wrestlers during injury timeouts.
Bracket Vacancies
Vacancies that occur during a tournament will be scored as a forfeit. Wrestlers accepting a forfeit must be present and ready to wrestle. They will have injury time to correct any deficiencies prior to receiving the forfeit.
What do I do with the stuff USWOA sent to me?
In the package, USWOA sent to you should be three items: a peach membership card, a white control card, and a white license book.
Fill out the membership card as indicated and separate the 2 portions. Keep the small card and return the waiver portion in the mail to USA Wrestling.
On the control card fill in the information as indicated in the top section.
In the lower portion you will fill in each USA sanctioned tournament that you have worked. The head official for each tournament will sign the card to show that you have worked that event.
The white license book.
In ink, on the front cover place your initial and last name.
In pencil, on the inside place your name and mailing address.
These two things will help us return your license to you at tournaments or in the event you lose the book.
On the page that has the bar code you will need to put a passport style photo of yourself. Fill in your name on this page also. The number on the barcode is your license number. Report this number to your area coordinator and state head official. The last page in the license is the stamp page. This is where you put the stamp that shows you are an active member. Around June or July each year you should get a renewal notice from USWOA. Please fill this out and return it promptly. USWOA will then send you a new stamp for the coming year. The area coordinator will need to verify that you have your stamp, or have you fill out a renewal form, before you may work a USA event.
Unless you work Freestyle/Greco-Roman styles, no one else needs to sign anything or anyplace in your license book.
The license book is an important document, please take care of it. It will also serve as your admission to USA Wrestling regional and national events.
.:. Black & White Striped Shirt :1" stripes, short sleeve
.:. Black Slacks: not shorts, not jogging or wind suit type material
.:. Black belt: if pants have belt loops
.:. Black sock: any length
.:. Black shoes: soft soled, athletic type
.:. Whistle
.:. Red & Green flipping disc
.:. Red & green wristbands
.:. Current season Rule book
Recommended items
.:. Current season Case book
.:. Extra pants
.:. Extra shirt
.:. Extra wrist bands
.:. Extra whistles and lanyards
.:. Red & Green legbands
.:. First Aid kit
The following guidelines are not meant to be all inclusive of what may need to be done to prevent skin diseases from occurring in wrestling. They provide practical suggestions that, when implemented, should reduce the incidence of skin diseases among high school wrestlers. Some of the guidelines go above and beyond what would normally need to be done to prevent skin infections ITom occurring. However, in instances where some wrestlers, or an entire team, seem to be extremely susceptible to skin diseases the more extreme guidelines may prove to be worthwhile. Whatever the procedures used, restricting wrestlers with skin lesions and keeping a clean wrestling environment are the keys to reducing the incidence of skin infections.
Clean wrestling mats daily, preferably within one hour of practice or competition, using a disinfectant cleaner. Allow mats to air dry before using.
Wash all mats with disinfectant on a regular basis (one or two times weekly).
Wipe weight room benches with disinfectant before and after use.
Launder towels, practice gear and uniforms after each use. Do not allow any wrestler into the practice room without clean practice gear.
Wipe head gear and shoes with disinfectant after each practice.
Do not allow wrestlers to share any items of practice gear. If they must share, make sure the items are cleaned with disinfectant before they are transferred.
Require each wrestler to shower after each practice and contest using disinfectant soap.
Open the doors to the practice room and use fans to lower the heat and humidity. Proper ventilation is important in destroying disease carrying bacteria.
Do not allow wrestlers to share towels during practice or competition.
Neoprene sleeves and support braces should be wiped with disinfectant after each use.
Wrestlers should keep their fingernails trimmed short to avoid scratching themselves or someone else, as any opening in the skin increases the risk of infection.
Wrestlers who have been susceptible to skin diseases in the past may want to visit with their family physician regarding preventative oral medication which may be available.
Guidelines for Wrestlers who Have a Skin Disease:
Wrestlers with any sign of skin disease should be withheld ffom practice and competition until a medical diagnosis and clearance is obtained.
Wrestlers having any signs or symptoms of a skin disorder should be sent for evaluation immediately.
If a wrestler with a skin disease has current written clearance ffom a physician to participate, the affected area should be covered with a water resistant dressing or a gauze pad with a water resistant covering to reduce the risk of infecting others.
Wrestlers with any sign of skin disease should wash their hands ffequently to avoid contaminating themselves or others.
PHYSICIAN RELEASE FOR WRESTLER TO PARTICIPATE WITH SKIN LESION(S)
The National Federation of State high School State Associations (NFHS) has developed the release form found on the reverse side of this page as a suggested model you may consider adopting for your state. The NFHS conducted a survey among specialty, academic, public health and primary care physicians and reviewed extensively the literature available on the communicability of various skin lesions at different stages of disease and treatment. No definitive data exists that allow us to absolutely predict when a lesion is no longer shedding organisms that could be transmitted to another. Another finding from the survey was the significant differences that exist among physicians relating to when they will permit a wrestler to return to participation after having a skin infection.
The NFHS does not presume to dictate to professionals how to practice medicine. Neither is the information on this form meant to establish a standard of care. The NFHS does feel, however, that the guidelines included on the form represent a summary consensus of the various responses obtained from the survey, from conversations and from the literature. The NFHS also feels that the components of the form are very relevant to addressing the concerns of coaches, parents, wrestlers and physicians that lead to the research into this subject and to the development of this form.
GOALS FOR ESTABLISHING A WIDELY USED FORM:
1. Protect wrestlers from exposure to communicable skin disorders. Although most of the skin lesions
being discussed generally have no major long term consequences and are not life threatening, some do have morbidity associated with them and student athletes should be protected from contracting skin disorders from other wrestlers or contaminated equipment such as mats.
2. Allow wrestlers to participate as soon as it is reasonably safe for them and for their opponents and/or teammates using the same mat.
3. Establish guidelines to help minimize major differences in management among physicians who are signing "return to competition forms". Consistent use of these guidelines should protect wrestlers from catching a skin disease from participation and should protect them from inequalities as to who can or can not participate.
4. Provide a basis to support physician decisions on when a wrestler can or can not participate. This should help the physician who may face incredible pressure from many fronts to return a youngster to competition ASAP. This can involve "Joe Blow who never wins a match" or the next state champion with a scholarship pending.
IMPORTANT COMPONENTS FOR AN EFFECTIVE FORM:
1. Inclusion of the applicable NFHS wrestling rule so physicians will understand that covering a lesion is not an acceptable option.
2. Inclusion of the date and nature of treatment and the earliest date a wrestler can return to participation. This should minimize the need for a family to incur the expense of additional office visits as occurs when a form must be signed within three days of wrestling as some do.
3. Inclusion of a "bodygram" with front and back views should clearly identify the lesion in question. This should result in less confusion or conflict.
4. Inclusion of guidelines for minimum treatment before returning the wrestler to action as discussed above. This should enhance the likelihood that all wrestlers are managed safely and fairly.
5. Inclusion of all of the components discussed has the potential to remove the referee from making a medical decision. Ifa lesion is questioned the referee's role could appropriately be only to see if the coach can provide a fully completed medical release form allowing the wrestler to wrestle.
This form may be reproduced, if desired for use by various individuals or organizations. In addition, the NFHS would welcome comments and suggestions for inclusion in future versions as this will continue to be a work in progress.