2014-15NFHSWRESTLINGRULESBOOK

ROBERTB.GARDNER,Publisher

BobColgate,Editor

NFHSPublications

Tomaintainthesoundtraditionsofthissport,encouragesportsmanshipandminimizetheinherentriskofinjury,theNationalFederationofStateHighSchoolAssociationswritesplayingrulesforvarsitycompetitionamongstudent-athletesofhighschoolage.Highschoolcoaches,officialsandadministratorswhohaveknowledgeandexperienceregardingthisparticularsportandagegroupvolunteertheirtimetoserveontherulescommittee.MemberassociationsoftheNFHSindependentlymakedecisionsregardingcompliancewithormodificationoftheseplayingrulesforthestudent-athletesintheirrespectivestates.

NFHSrulesareusedbyeducation-basedandnon-education-basedorganizationsservingchildrenofvaryingskilllevelswhoareofhighschoolageandyounger.InordertomakeNFHSrulesskill-levelandage-levelappropriate,therulesmaybemodifiedbyanyorganizationthatchoosestousethem.Exceptasmaybespecificallynotedinthisrulesbook,theNFHSmakesnorecommendationaboutthenatureorextentofthemodificationsthatmaybeappropriateforchildrenwhoareyoungerorlessskilledthanhighschoolvarsityathletes.

Everyindividualusingtheserulesisresponsibleforprudentjudgmentwithrespecttoeachcontest,athleteandfacility,andeachathleteisresponsibleforexercisingcautionandgoodsportsmanship.Theserulesshouldbeinterpretedandappliedsoastomakereasonableaccommodationsforathletes,coachesandofficialswithdisabilities.

©2014,ThisrulesbookhasbeencopyrightedbytheNationalFederationofStateHighSchoolAssociationswiththeUnitedStatesCopyrightOffice.NoonemayrepublishanymaterialcontainedhereinwithoutthepriorwrittenconsentoftheNFHS.

RepublicationofalloranyportionofthisrulesbookontheInternetisexpresslyprohibited.PublishedbytheNATIONALFEDERATIONOFSTATEHIGHSCHOOLASSOCIATIONS,POBox690,Indianapolis,Indiana46206;Phone:317-972-6900,Fax:317.822.5700,www.nfhs.org.CoverphotocourtesyofPaynterPics,ArizonaInterscholasticAssociaiton.

2014-15NFHSWrestlingRulesChanges(Forcommentsonthe2014-15ruleschanges,seeCommentsattheendofthisbook.

5-1-1:Badtimewasclarifiedtoincludethesituationswherethewrongwrestlerwasgivenchoiceofpositionatthestartofthesecond30-secondtiebreakerorthestartoftheultimatetiebreaker.

10-2-9:Furtherclarificationwasgiventowhichwrestleradvancesintotheconsolationbracketwhenbothwrestlerssimultaneouslycannotcontinueinthechampionshipbracket.Thisrulechangefurtherclarifieswhichwrestlerwilladvanceintotheconsolationbracketwhenpointshavebeenscoredinthematch.

2014-15EditorialandOtherChanges

MatAreaDiagrams;4-2-1;4-3-1a;5-1-2;5-18;6-6-2;8-1-1;9-2-2b;11-1-4NOTE(NEW);WRESTLINGREFEREES’SIGNALS–26(NEW),27(NEW).

2014-15PointsofEmphasis(Forcompletediscussionofthepointsofemphasis,seeDiscussionattheendofthebook.)1.AvoidingWrestlingandEncouragingWrestlinginCenterofMat

2.PreventingFalseStartsfromCreatingInjuries–PreventiveOfficiating3.HairCoverings

4.CleaningWrestlingMatsandWrestlingEquipment

5.Authority/ResponsibilityoftheOff-MatRefereetoCallFlagrant/UnsportsmanlikeConduct

TABLEOFCONTENTSRule1.Competition

Rule2.Equipment

Rule3.RefereesandTheirDuties

Rule4.Wrestlers’ClassificationandWeigh-In

Rule5.Definitions

Rule6.ConductofMatches

Rule7.Infractions

Rule8.PenaltiesandInjuries

Rule9.Scoring

Rule10.IndividuallyBracketedTournaments

Rule11.TeamAdvancementTournaments

ScoringSymbols

Commentsonthe2014-15RulesChanges

PointsofEmphasis

PhotoIllustrations

Referees’WrestlingSignals

AppendixA:MissionStatement

AppendixB:SuggestedGuidelinesforManagementofConcussioninSports

AppendixC:EquipmentGuidelines

AppendixD:CommunicableDiseaseProcedures

AppendixE:CoachesCodeofEthics

AppendixF:OfficialsCodeofEthics

DisclaimersEachstatehighschoolassociationadoptingtheserulesisthesoleandexclusivesourceofbindingrulesinterpretationsforcontestsinvolvingitsmemberschools.AnypersonhavingquestionsabouttheinterpretationofNFHSrulesshouldcontacttherulesinterpreterdesignatedbyhisorherstatehighschoolassociation.

TheNFHSisthesoleandexclusivesourceofmodelinterpretationsofNFHSrules.StaterulesinterpretersmaycontacttheNFHSformodelrulesinterpretations.Noothermodelrulesinterpretationsshouldbeconsidered.

DISCLAIMER–NFHSPositionStatementsandGuidelinesTheNFHSregularlydistributespositionstatementsandguidelinestopromotepublicawarenessofcertainhealthandsafety-relatedissues.Suchinformationisneitherexhaustivenornecessarilyapplicabletoallcircumstancesorindividuals,andisnosubstituteforconsultationwithappropriatehealth-careprofessionals.Statutes,codesorenvironmentalconditionsmayberelevant.NFHSpositionstatementsorguidelinesshouldbeconsideredinconjunctionwithotherpertinentmaterialswhentakingactionorplanningcare.TheNFHSreservestherighttorescindormodifyanysuchdocumentatanytime.PositionStatementsarelocatedattheendofthiseBook.

Newruleschangesareindicatedwithhighlights.

Rule1Competition

SECTION1MATCH

ART.1...Amatchiscompetitionbetweentwowrestlerswhoareofasnearlyequalweightaspossible.

ART.2...Eachstateassociationmay,inkeepingwithapplicablelaws,authorizeexceptionstoNFHSplayingrulestoprovidereasonableaccommodationstoindividualparticipantswithdisabilitiesand/orspecialneeds,aswellasthoseindividualswithuniqueandextenuatingcircumstances.Theaccommodationsshouldnotfundamentallyalterthesport,heightenrisktotheathlete/othersorplaceopponentsatadisadvantage.

ART.3...Videorecordingisauthorizedunlessprohibitedbythestatehighschoolassociation.

SECTION2DUALMEET

Art.1...Aseriesofmatches,oneineachoftheNFHSweightclasses,constitutesadualmeet.

Art.2...Competitionindualmeetsshallbeconductedbyrandomdrawofweightclasses.Inmulti-dualevents,thesequencedeterminedbythedrawwillbefollowedforthatday’ssubsequentmeetcompetition;thesubsequentdualmeetshallbeginoneweightclassbeyondthestartingweightclassofthepreviousround.Thefollowingprocedureshallbeusedforallrandomdraws:

a.Therandomdrawshalltakeplaceimmediatelyprecedingweigh-ins.

b.Therefereeorotherauthorizedpersonshallsupervisetherandomdraw.

c.Subsequentmatcheswillfollowinsequentialorder.

ART.3...Eachteamshalldesignateacaptainorcaptains.Priortothebeginningofthemeet,theyshallreporttotherefereeforthedisktosstodeterminewhichindividualistoappearatthescorer’stablefirstforeachweightclass,andtodeterminethechoiceofpositionatthestartofthesecondperiod.

ART.4...Priortothemeettheheadcoachshallverifythatallwrestlerswillbeinproperuniform,properlygroomed,properlyequippedandreadytowrestle.

SECTION3TOURNAMENT

Art.1...IndividuallybracketedtournamentsareaseriesofmatchesineachoftheNFHSweightclassesinwhicheachmemberoftheteamadvancesindependentlyonthebracketbasedonthatindividual’sresults.

Art.2...TeamadvancementtournamentsareaseriesofmatchesineachoftheNFHSweightclassesinwhichadvancementand/orresultsarebasedupontheteam’scollectiveresults.

Art.3...CombinationtournamentsareaseriesofmatchesineachoftheNFHSweightclassesinwhichindividualsinitiallymovefromroundtoroundasateam(pools)oradvancebasedonteamresultsculminatinginthewrestlersplacementonanindividualbracketwithadvancementfromthatpointbasedonindividualresults.

Art.4...Arandomdrawofweightclassesforchampionshipfinalmatchesforanindividuallybracketedtournament,regularseasonand/orstatehighschoolchampionshipseries,maybeusedforcompetition.Inmulti-dualeventsandteamadvancementtournaments,thesequencedeterminedbythedrawwillbefollowedforthatday’ssubsequentdual-meetcompetition;thesubsequentdualmeetshallbeginoneweightclassbeyondthestartingweightclassofthepreviousround.Thefollowingprocedureshallbeusedforallrandomdraws:

a.Therandomdrawshalltakeplaceimmediatelyprecedingweigh-ins.

b.Therefereeorotherauthorizedpersonshallsupervisetherandomdraw.

c.Subsequentmatcheswillfollowinsequentialorder.

ART.5...Priortothemeet,theheadcoachshallverifythatallwrestlerswillbeinproperuniform,properlygroomed,properlyequippedandreadytowrestle.

ART.6...Tournamentsconductedbystatehighschoolassociationsforqualificationtothestatehighschoolchampionshipsandthechampionshipsthemselvesshallbedeterminedbytheindividualorganization.Eachstatehighschoolassociationisprivilegedtoconductthosetournamentsasbestsuitsitsneeds.ThisauthorizationappliestoRule10andRule11only.

SECTION4REPRESENTATION

ART.1...Aschoolmayberepresentedbyonlyonewrestlerineachweightclassduringdual-meetcompetition,andnosubstitutionispermittedforanywrestlerindualmeetsoncethewrestlerhasproperlyreportedtothescorer’stable.Inindividuallybracketedtournaments,thecontestantrepresentingaschoolshallbenamedbyweightclasspriortotheconclusionoftheweigh-inandnosubstitutionisallowedaftertheconclusionoftheweigh-in.

ART.2...Forallmatches,netweightshallberequired.Noadditionalweightallowanceispermitted,exceptasstatedinRules4-4and4-5.

ART.3...Nowrestlershallrepresenttheschoolinmorethanoneweightclassinanymeetorwrestleinmorethanfivematches(championshiporconsolation),excludingforfeitsinanyonedayofcompetition.

ART.4...Nocontestantshallwrestleintwoconsecutivematcheswithlessthana45-minuterestbetweenthem.Theconclusiontimeofeachmatchshallberecorded.

ART.5...Acontestantshallnotacceptaforfeitinoneweightclassandcompeteinanotherclass.

ART.6...Awrestlerwhomakesweightforoneweightclassmaybeshiftedtothenexthigherweightclass,provideditisnotmorethanoneweightclassabovethatforwhichtheactualweightqualifies.Theexactweightofallcontestantsshallberecordedandsubmittedtotheofficialscorer.

SECTION5WEIGHT-CONTROLPROGRAM

ART.1...Eachindividualstatehighschoolassociationshalldevelopandutilizeaspecifiedweight-controlprogramwhichwilldiscourageexcessiveweightreductionand/orwidevariationsinweight,becausethismaybeharmfultothecompetitor.Suchaprogramshouldbeplannedtoinvolvethewrestler,aswellastheparents/guardians,appropriatehealth-careprofessionalandcoachinestablishingtheminimumcertifiedweightclass.Anidealprogramwouldbeonewhereanappropriatehealth-careprofessionalwouldassistinestablishingaminimumweightclassthroughhydrationtesting,bodyfatassessmentandamonitoreddescentplan.Minimumbodyfatshouldnotbelowerthansevenpercentformalesor12percentforfemales.

ART.2...Forhealthandsafetyreasons,thestate'sweightcontrolprogramshallrequirehydrationtestingwithaspecificgravitynotgreaterthan1.025,whichimmediatelyprecedesthebodyfatassessment.Aminimumweightclasswillbedeterminedbyabodyfatassessment.Anywrestler'sassessmentthatisbelowsevenpercentformalesand12percentforfemalesshallhaveamedicalreleasetoparticipatesignedbyanappropriatehealth-careprofessional.Thisreleaseshallnotallowawrestlertoparticipateataweightclassbelowthatforwhichtheinitialassessmentallows.Aprogramtomonitoranaverageweightlossof1.5percentaweek,withdescent,mayusetheminimumweightdeterminedbythebodyfattestingasthelowestweightclassawrestlermaywrestle.Thisweightmanagementplanshouldalsoinvolveanutritionalcomponentdevelopedatthelocallevel.

ART.3...Thestate’sweight-controlprogramshallrequireeachwrestlertoestablishacertifiedminimumweightandprohibitrecertificationatalowerweightduringtheseason.

Rule2Equipment

TheNFHSdoesnotperformscientifictestsonanyspecificitemsofequipmenttodetermineiftheequipmentposesundueriskstostudent-athletes,coaches,refereesorspectators.Suchdeterminationsaretheresponsibilityofequipmentmanufacturers.SeeNFHSEquipmentGuidelinesinAppendixC.

SECTION1MAT

ART.1...Thewrestlingmatshallbeofuniformthicknessnotmorethan4inchesthicknorlessthanthethicknessofamatwhichhastheshock-absorbingqualitiesofatleast1-inchPVCvinyl-coveredfoam.Allmatsthatareinsectionsshallbesecuredtogether.

ART.2...Thewrestlingareaofthematshallbeacircularareawithaminimumof28feetindiameter.Surroundingandsecuredtothewrestlingareaofthematshallbeasafetymatareaapproximately5feetwide.

ART.3...Thewrestlingareashallbemarkedonthematbypaintedlines,2incheswide,whichareinbounds.Atthecenterofthematthereshallbea10-footcircle,indicatedbya2-inchline.Whentheareaenclosedbythe10-footcircleandtheinboundsareaofthematareofcontrastingcolors,the2-inchlinemaybeomitted.

ART.4...Startinglines,1inchwide,shallbeplacedatthecenterofthematandthefrontlineshouldlieonthediameterofthe10-footcircle.These1-inchstartinglinesshallbeparallel,3feetlong,and12inchesfromoutsidetooutside.Thetwo3-footlinesshallbeconnectedononeendbya1-inchredlineandontheotherendbya1-inchgreenline.

ART.5...Thematareaincludesthewrestlingmatandaspaceofatleast10feetsurroundingthemat,aswellastheteambenchesandscorer’stablewherefacilitiespermit.Theteambenchindualmeetsshouldbeatleast10feetfromthewrestlingmatand10feetfromthescorer’stable.Thediagramsonpage10areasuggestedconfiguration.

SECTION2TEAMBENCHES

ART.1...Fordualmeets,allteampersonnel,includingcoaches,otherthanactualparticipatingcontestantsshallberestrictedtoanareawhichisatleast10feetfromtheedgeofthematandthescorer’stable,wherefacilitiespermit.

ART.2...Duringtournamentcompetition,amaximumoftwoteampersonnel(coachesand/ornon-participatingcontestants)willbepermittedonchairsattheedgeofthemat.Itispermissibletoallowcoachesonthecornerofthematinarestrictedzone.Intournamentswherecoachesarepermittedonthecornerofthemat,therestrictedzoneshallbedefinedbyeitheracontrastinglinemarkedonthematwithpaintortapeoracontrastingcoloredsurfaceunderthechairs.Therestrictedzoneshallbenocloserthan5feettotheedgeofthecircle.Coachesshallbeseatedatleast10feetfromthescorer’stable,wherefacilitiespermit.

MATAREA

SECTION3SCORER’STABLE

Ascorer'stableshallbeplacedatleast10feetfromtheedgeofthematandfromtheteambenchareas,wherefacilitieswillpermit.Itwillbelargeenoughtoaccommodatetheofficialtimekeeper,headscorerandvisitingteamscorer.Whenanelectricscoreboardisnotused,somemeansofvisualscorekeepingshallbeprovidedbythehomemanagement.

SECTION4SCALES

ART.1...Scalesforweighingincontestantsofallteamsandallcontestantsshallbeprovidedbythehomemanagement.

ART.2...Theaccuracyofthesescalesshallbecertifiedannually,inaccordancewithguidelinesestablishedbythestateassociation.

Rule3RefereesandTheirDuties

SECTION1REFEREE

ART.1...Thereferee’suniformconsistsofashort-sleevedknitshirt,withalternatingblackandwhite1-inchstripes;orgraywithblackpinstripes,oraneventprovidedshirtcommontoallrefereesatthatevent,full-lengthblacktrousers,blackbelt(iftrousershavebeltloops),blacksocksandblackwrestling/gymshoeswithoutcoloredhighlights.Therefereeshallbeneatlyattiredandhaveotheraccessories,includingacoloreddisk,ablacklanyardandblackwhistle,redandgreenarmbands,andakittoconducttherandomdraw.Theredarmbandshallbewornontheleftwristandthegreenarmbandontherightwrist.

ART.2...Onmattersofjudgment,therefereeshallhavefullcontrolofthematchandthedecisionsshallbefinal,basedupontheNFHSwrestlingrulesandinterpretations.TherefereehasthesoleauthorityforrulingoninfractionsorirregularitiesnotcoveredwithintheNFHSwrestlingrules.

ART.3...Thejurisdictiontimeoftherefereewillbeginuponarrivalatthesiteandwillconcludewiththeapprovalofthescorebookindualmeetsandwhentherefereesignstheboutsheetafterthelastmatchofatournament.Themeetrefereesretainclericalauthorityoverthemeetthroughthecompletionofanyreports,includingthoseimposingdisqualifications,thatareresponsivetoactionsoccurringwhilethemeetrefereeshadjurisdiction.Stateassociationsmayintercedeintheeventofunusualincidentsthatoccurbefore,duringorafterthemeetreferees’jurisdictionhasendedorintheeventthatameetisterminatedpriortotheconclusionoftheregulationmeet.

ART.4...Beforethedualmeetbegins,therefereeshall:

a.Inspectcontestantsforpresenceofoilsorgreasysubstancesonthebodyoruniform,rosin,objectionablepads,improperclothing,alljewelry,longfingernails,impropergrooming,skincondition,healthandsafetymeasures;

b.clarifytheruleswithcoachesandcontestantsuponrequest;

c.havetheheadcoachverifythattheteamisgroomed,properlyequippedandreadytowrestle,includingshoelacesbeingsecured;

d.reviewwiththescorersandtimekeepersignalsandprocedurestobeused;and

e.meetwithheadcoachesandcaptainsandexplaintothemthattheyaretomakecertaineveryoneexhibitsgoodsportsmanshipthroughoutthecontest.

ART.5...Thelegalityofallequipment,includingmats,markings,uniformsandspecialequipment,padsandtaping,shallbedecidedbythereferee.Areferee’stime-outshallbedeclaredforthepurposeofcorrectinglegalequipmentwhichbecomesillegalorinoperativethroughuse.

ART.6...Onlyauthorizedsignalsshallbeusedbytherefereewhensignalingandverballynotifyingthecontestantsandscorerwhenwarningorawardingpointstoeitherwrestler.Thethumbisnottobe

usedwhensignalingpoint(s),onlyfingers.

ART.7...Whenpossibletherefereeshouldawardpointsontheedgeofthematcallsbeforeblowingthewhistle,andgivingthehandsignalforstoppingthematchandout-of-bounds.

ART.8...Therefereeshallbefirminenforcingtheletterandspiritoftherules,consistentlypenalizinginfractions.TherefereemustenforcepenaltiesforinfractionsexplainedinRule7andRule8withouthesitation.TherefereeshallnotuseTVmonitoring,replayorothervideoequipmentinmakingdecisionsrelatedtothematch.

ART.9...Whenpenalizingeitherwrestler,therefereeshallstopthematch,usetheappropriateNFHSsignalandannouncethepenaltyintheprescribedmannersothatcoaches,contestants,scorersandspectatorsareawareofthepenalty,exceptasnotedinRule8-1-2.

ART.10...Therefereeshallstoppotentiallydangerousholds/maneuvers,ifpossible,beforetheyreachthedangerousstate.

ART.11...Followingtheendofadualmeetortournamentmatch,therefereeshallsigntheofficialscorebookorindividualscoresheetcertifyingresultsandshallalsorecordthetimeofdayatthecompletionofthemeetortournament.

ART.12...Therefereehastheauthoritytorulepromptly,andinthespiritofgoodsportsmanship,onanysituationnotspecificallycoveredintherules.

ART.13...Duringinjury,bloodorrecoverytime-outs,therefereeshouldbeinapositiontomonitortheappropriateclockandwrestlers.Therefereeshouldnotifythecoachand/orwrestlerattheoneminutemarkandthe30-secondmarkastotheamountoftimeremaining.

SECTION2ASSISTANTREFEREE

ART.1...Bystatehighschoolassociationadoption,anassistantrefereemaybeusedduringcompetition.Theuseofanassistantrefereeisdesignedtominimizehumanerrorinmattersofruleapplicationandjudgment.

ART.2...Theassistantrefereewillbegrantedthesamemobilityastherefereeandwillcomplementandassisttherefereeinmakingcalls.Therefereewillbeincompletecontrolofthematch.Followingareprocedurestofollowwiththeuseofanassistantreferee:

a.Constantverbalcommunicationbetweentherefereeandtheassistantisnecessarythroughoutthematchconcerningstalling,linecalls,illegalholds/maneuvers,technicalviolations,potentiallydangerousholds/maneuversandtimeremainingintheperiod;

b.Thetworefereesshouldbefacingeachotherwhileeachismaintainingaviewbetweenthewrestlers.Bothrefereesmustmovetopositionsonthematwherethebestviewofwrestlingandverbalcommunicationscanbeachieved;

c.Inanearfallsituation,theassistantrefereeshouldnotbedownonthemat,butinapositiontoobservetheaction,theclock,andtaptherefereewhentimeexpires;

d.Iftheassistantrefereeobservesinterlockinghandsorgraspingofclothing,thepropersignalshouldbegivenimmediatelyandtheassistantrefereeshouldinformtherefereeoftheinfraction;

e.Theassistantrefereemustdevelopafeelforthematchtoproperlyassistthereferee.Whentheassistantdisagreeswiththereferee,theassistantwillbringittothereferee’sattentionimmediately.Itisnotrequiredtostopthematch,unlesstherefereethinksitisnecessary.Therefereewillavoidinterruptingthematchwhensignificantactionisinprogress;

f.Whennecessary,therefereeandassistantshallmeetbrieflyontheedgeofthematawayfromthewrestlersandcoaches,awayfromthescorer’stabletodiscussthepointofdisagreement;

g.Theassistantmaysupport,disagreeorhavenoopinionrelativetoadecision.Therefereeshallprevailintheeventofdisagreement;

h.Whenadecisionisreached,therefereewillinformthescorer’stableofanychangeinmatchscoring,timing,etc.;

i.Thereferee,assistantrefereeandtwocontestantsaretheonlyindividualspermittedonthewrestlingmat.Coachesarenotpermittedtoaddresstheassistantrefereeandtheassistantrefereeisnotpermittedtoaddressthecoaches.Thisisthereferee’sresponsibility;

j.Duringanyheadlock,theassistantshouldbeinpositiontoobserveanyactionfromunderneathandverballyinformtherefereeofanychangefromlegaltoillegal;

k.Duringtheend-of-the-matchprocedure,theassistantrefereeshallbeontheedgeofthecircletoobservebothwrestlersandcoachesastheyleavethewrestlingarea.

SECTION3SCORER

ART.1...Theofficialscorershallbeseatedatthescorer’stableandisresponsiblefor:

a.recordingpointsscoredbyeachcontestantwhensignaledbythereferee;

b.circlingthefirstpoint(s)scoredintheregulationmatch;

c.recordingthewrestlerwhomakesthechoiceatthestartofthesecondandthirdperiodsandthepositionofthewrestlersatthestartofthesecondandthirdperiodsincludingovertime;

d.constantlycheckingwiththevisitingteam’sscorer;

e.immediatelyadvisingthematchtimekeeperwhenthereisanydisagreementregardingthescoreandadvisingthescoreboardoperatororassistantscorersofthecorrectscoreduringeachmatch;

f.recordingthecompletiontimeofmatches;and

g.presentingtherefereewiththescorebookattheendofadualmeetforverifyingofteamscoresandsignature.

ART.2...Theassistantscorersareresponsibleforrecordingpointsearnedbyeachindividualwrestlerduringthecourseofthematchandcirclingfirstpoint(s)scoredintheregulationmatch.Aspointsareearnedinadualmeet,arunningteamscoreshallbekeptfollowingeachindividualmatch.

SECTION4TIMEKEEPER

ART.1...Thetimekeeperisresponsiblefor:

a.keepingtheoveralltimeofthematch;

b.recordingtheaccumulatedtime-outsforinjuryandbloodtime;

c.monitoringrecoverytime;

d.notifyingtherefereeofanysignificantsituationwhenthematchisstopped,orfordisagreementbyofficialscorerandtimekeeper,orwhenrequestedbyacoachtodiscussapossibleerror;

e.assisting,whenrequestedbythereferee,indeterminingwhetherasituationoccurredbeforeoraftertheterminationofaperiod;and

f.whenavisualclockisnotavailable,callingtheminutestoreferee,contestantsandspectatorsanddisplayingwithvisualcardsthenumberofsecondsremaininginthelastminuteoftheperiodat15-secondintervals.

Rule4Wrestlers’ClassificationandWeigh-In

TheNFHSdoesnotperformscientifictestsonanyspecificitemsofequipmenttodetermineiftheequipmentposesundueriskstostudent-athletes,coaches,refereesorspectators.Suchdeterminationsaretheresponsibilityofequipmentmanufacturers.SeeNFHSEquipmentGuidelinesinAppendixC.

SECTION1WRESTLERS’UNIFORM

ART.1...Wrestlersshallwear:

a.aone-piecesingletcutnolowerinthebackorfrontthanthelevelofthearmpitsandunderthearmsnolowerthanone-halfthedistancebetweenthearmpitandthebeltline.Ifsufficientreasonisdeterminedbythereferee,atight-fitting,short-sleevedorsleevelessundershirtofasingle,solidcolorunadornedwithnomorethanonemanufacturer’slogo/trademark/referencemaybewornundertheone-piecesinglet;

b.eitherfull-lengthtights,withstirrups,andclosefittingoutsideshorttrunksoraproperlycutone-pieceuniformwithaminimum4-inchinseamandamaximumlengthofabovetheknee;

c.asingletwiththetopcutasoutlinedin(a)withfull-lengthtightsandstirrups.Theuniformshallbeaschoolissueduniform.(Photo1)

Full-lengthtightswithstirrupsareacceptableunderaone-pieceuniform.Anyotherundergarmentthatextendsbeyondtheinseamofaone-pieceuniformshallbeatight-fitting,singlesolidcolor,unadornedandshallnotextendbelowtheknee.

ART.2...Anymanufacturer’slogo/trademark/referencethatappearsonthewrestlinguniform,includinglegalhaircoveringcanbenomorethan2¼squareincheswithnodimensionmorethan2¼inchesandmayappearnomorethanonceoneachitemofuniformapparel.AnAmericanflag,nottoexceed2by3inches,andeitheracommemorativeormemorialpatch,nottoexceed4squareinchesandwithwrittenstateassociationapproval,maybeworn.

ART.3...Wrestlersshallwearlightheellesswrestlingshoes,reachingabovetheankles.Ifthelacesarevisible,theyshallbesecuredinanacceptablefashion.

ART.4...Wrestlersshallwearwrestlingearguards,whichprovide:

a.adequateearprotection;

b.noinjuryhazardtotheopponent;and,

c.anadjustablelockingdevicetopreventitfromcomingofforturningonthewrestler’shead.

ART.5...Theuniformshallbewornasintended/designedbythemanufacturer.

SECTION2WRESTLERS’APPEARANCEANDHEALTH

ART.1...Duringcompetitionallwrestlersshallbecleanshaven,withsideburnstrimmednolowerthanearlobelevelandhairtrimmedandwellgroomed.Thehair,initsnaturalstate,shallnotextendbelowthetopofanordinaryshirtcollarintheback;andonthesides,thehairshallnotextendbelowearlobelevel;inthefront,thehairshallnotextendbelowtheeyebrows.(Photos2-3)Aneatlytrimmedmustachethatdoesnotextendbelowthelineofthelowerlipshallbepermissible.Ifanindividualhashairlongerthanallowedbyrule,itmaybebraidedorrolledifitiscontainedinacoversothatthehairruleissatisfied.(Photo4)Thelegalhaircovershallbeattachedtotheearguards.Abandannaisnotconsideredalegalhaircover.Thelegalhaircovermustbeofasolidmaterialandbenonabrasive.Thewrestleroptingtowearalegalhaircovermustwearittotheweigh-inprocedureandbecheckedforgroomingwithiton.Thelegalhaircovermustberemovedpriortothewrestlersteppingonthescaletobeweighed.Ifarefereeisnotpresentatweigh-ins,thehaircovermustbecheckedbythemeetrefereeuponarrivalatthesite.

Ifanindividualhasfacialhairitmustbecoveredwithafacemask.Alllegalhaircoversandfacemaskswillbeconsideredasspecialequipment.Ifanindividual’shairisasabrasiveasanunshavedface,theindividualshallberequiredtoshavetheheadassmoothasafaceisrequired,orwearalegalhaircover.

ART.2...Eachcontestantshallcomplywithstandardhealth,sanitaryandsafetymeasures(SeeRule3-1-4).Becauseofthebodycontactinvolved,thesestandardsshallconstitutethesolereasonsfordisqualification.Applicationofthisruleshallnotbearbitraryorcapricious.

ART.3...Ifaparticipantissuspectedbytherefereeorcoachofhavingacommunicableskindiseaseoranyotherconditionthatmakesparticipationappearinadvisable,thecoachshallprovidecurrentwrittendocumentationasdefinedbytheNFHSorthestateassociations,fromanappropriatehealth-careprofessionalstatingthatthesuspecteddiseaseorconditionisnotcommunicableandthattheathlete’sparticipationwouldnotbeharmfultoanyopponent.Thisdocumentshallbefurnishedattheweigh-inforthedualmeetortournament.Theonlyexceptionwouldbeifadesignated,on-sitemeetappropriatehealth-careprofessionalispresentandisabletoexaminethewrestlereitherimmediatelypriortoorimmediatelyaftertheweigh-in.Coveringacommunicableconditionshallnotbeconsideredacceptableanddoesnotmakethewrestlereligibletoparticipate.(SeeNFHSCommunicableDiseaseProceduresinAppendixD.)

ART.4...Ifadesignated,on-sitemeetappropriatehealth-careprofessionalispresent,he/shemayoverrulethediagnosisoftheappropriatehealth-careprofessionalsigningthemedicalreleaseformforawrestlertoparticipateornotparticipatewithaparticularskincondition.

Art.5...Acontestantmayhavedocumentationfromanappropriatehealth-careprofessionalonlyindicatingaspecificconditionsuchasabirthmarkorothernon-communicableskinconditionssuchaspsoriasisandeczema,andthatdocumentationisvalidforthedurationoftheseason.Itisvalidwiththeunderstandingthatachronicconditioncouldbecomesecondarilyinfectedandmayrequirere-evaluation.

ART.6...Eachcontestantwhohasbracesorhasaspecialorthodonticdeviceontheirteeth,shallberequiredtowearatoothandmouthprotector.Atoothandmouthprotector(intraoral)shallincludean

occlusal(protectingandseparatingthebitingsurfaces)andalabial(protectingtheteethandsupportingstructures)portionandcovertheteethandallareasofthebracesorspecialorthodonticdevicewithadequatethickness.Thiswouldincludeupperandlowerteethifdevicesarepresentonboth.Itisrecommendedtheprotectorbeproperlyfittedand:

a.Constructedfromamodelmadefromanimpressionoftheindividual’steethandbracesorspecialorthodonticdevice.

b.Constructedandfittedtotheindividualbyimpressingtheteethandbracesorspecialorthodonticdeviceintothetoothandmouthprotectoritself.

SECTION3SPECIALEQUIPMENT

ART.1...Specialequipmentisdefinedasanyequipmentwornthatisnotrequiredbyrule.Anyequipmentwhichdoesnotpermitnormalmovementofthejointsandwhichpreventsone’sopponentfromapplyingnormalholds/maneuversshallnotbepermitted.Specialequipmentincludes,butisnotlimitedto:

a.Legalhaircoveringsattachedtotheearguards,facemasks,braces,casts,supports,eyeprotectionandsocks;

b.Anyprotectiveequipmentwhichishardand/orabrasivemustbecoveredandproperlypaddedwithaclosed-cell,slow-recoveryfoampaddingnolessthan½-inchthick;

ART.2...Allpartsofapadmustfitsnugagainstthewrestler’sbody.Loosepadsareprohibited.

ART.3...TapingorstrappingwhichsubstantiallyrestrictsthenormalmovementofajointshallbeprohibitedThetapingoffingersandthumbisnotaviolation.

ART.4...Tohelpidentifycontestants,redandgreenlegbandsmaybewornoneitherorbothlegs.

ART.5...Wrestlersmaynotwearwristbands,sweatbandsorbicepbandsduringamatch.

ART.6...Electronicdevicesthatenablecommunicationbetweencoachandcontestantduringamatcharenotpermitted.

SECTION4WEIGHTCLASSIFICATIONS

ART.1...Competitionshallbeinthefollowingweightclasses:

106lbs.113lbs.120lbs.126lbs.132lbs.138lbs.

145lbs.152lbs.160lbs.170lbs.182lbs.195lbs.

220lbs.285lbs.

ART.2...Acontestantshallnotwrestlemorethanoneweightclassabovethatclassforwhichtheactualweight,atthetimeofweigh-in,qualifiesthecompetitor.

ART.3...Atanytimetheuseofsweatboxes;hotshowers;whirlpools;rubber,vinylandplastic-typesuits;orsimilarartificialheatingdevices;diuretics;orothermethodsforquickweightreductionpurposesisprohibitedandshalldisqualifyanindividualfromcompetition.

ART.4...A2-poundgrowthallowancemaybeaddedtoeachweightclassanytimeafterthedateofcertification.

SECTION5WEIGHINGIN

ART.1...Contestantsofthesamegendershallhavetheopportunitytoweighin,shoulder-to-shoulder,amaximumof1hourbeforethetimeadualmeet,orateam'sfirstcompetitioneachdayinamultipledual-meeteventisscheduledtobegin.Whenapreliminarymeetisfollowedbyavarsitymeet,weigh-insmay,bymutualconsent,precedethepreliminarymeet.

ART.2...Contestantsofthesamegendershallhavetheopportunitytoweighinshoulder-to-shoulderorbyteam(s)atthetournamentsiteamaximumoftwohoursbeforethefirstsessionofeachday.

ART.3...Foranyevent,allcontestantsshallbepresentinandremaininthedesignatedweigh-inareaatthetimeestablishedbythemeetadministration.Contestantsshallnotleavethedesignatedweigh-inareaunlesspermissionisgrantedbythemeetadministration.Dualmeetweigh-inshallproceedthroughtheweightclassesbeginningwiththerandomdrawselectedweightclass,continuethroughtheweightclasses,wraparoundtothe106-poundweightclassandendimmediatelyuponthecompletionofthehighestweightclassprecedingtherandomdrawselectedweightclass.Whenallwrestlersforaweightclasshavehadanopportunitytoweighinandthenextclassiscalled,thatweightclassisclosed.Tournamentweigh-inmayproceedbyteam(s)withthelowestweightclasstothehighestandendimmediatelyuponthecompletionofthehighestweightclass.Acontestantshallweighinforonlyoneweightclassduringtheweigh-inperiod.Ifonlyonescaleisavailable,acontestantmaysteponandoffthatscaletwotimestoallowformechanicalinconsistenciesinthescale.Ifmultiplescalesareavailable,acontestantmaysteponandoffthefirstscaletwotimestoallowformechanicalinconsistenciesinthatscale.Ifthecontestantfailstomakeweightonthefirstscale,thecontestantshallimmediatelysteponeachavailablescaleonetimeinanattempttomakeweight.Duringtimeoffthescale(s),activitiesthatpromotedehydrationareprohibited.

ART.4...Thereferee,orotherauthorizedpersonofthesamegender,shallsupervisetheweigh-ins.

ART.5...Whenthereareconsecutivedaysofteamcompetition,thereshallbea1-poundadditionalallowancegrantedeachdayforallwrestlersuptoamaximumoftwopounds.Inordertobegrantedthis1-poundadditionalallowance,aminimumof48hoursadvancenoticeisrequiredfortheopponent(s).Theacceptableperson(s)toreceivethatnoticeshallbetheheadcoach,principalorathleticdirector.Competitionsthatarepostponedforonecalendardayormore,forreasonsbeyondthecontroloftheparticipatingschool(s),orpracticesthatcannotbeheldinthesesituationsduetoschoolpolicyshallbetreatedthesameascompetitionswhenthereareconsecutivedaysofcompetitionintermsofthe1-poundallowance,withtheexceptionoftherequired48-hournotice.

ART.6...Acontestantrepresentingaschoolinanindividuallybracketedtournamentshallbenamedbyweightclasspriortotheconclusionoftheweigh-in.

ART.7...Allcontestantsshallweighinwearingasuitableundergarmentthatcompletelycoversthebuttocksandthegroinarea.Femalecontestantsmustalsowearasuitableundergarmentthatcoverstheirbreasts.

ART.8...Anycontestantfailingtomakeweightduringtheweigh-inperiodshallbeineligibleforthatweightclass.Thatcontestantmaywrestleintheweightclassforwhichtheiractualweight

qualifiesthecontestant,orinthenexthigherweightclassaslongaseitheroftheseweightclassesarepermittedbythecontestant’sindividualweightlossplanonthatgivendate.Anadditionalweigh-inisneitherrequirednorallowed.

ART.9...Anycontestantwhohasbeenauthorizedtowearanartificiallimb,shallweigh-inwiththeartificiallimbifthecontestantchoosestowrestlewithiton.Onceawrestlerhasweighedinwiththeartificiallimb,itshallnotberemovedduringcompetition.

Rule5Definitions

SECTION1BADTIME

ART.1...Badtimeiswrestledwiththewrestlersinthewrongpositionorthewrongwrestlerbeinggivenchoiceofposition:

a.atthestartofthethirdperiod.

b.atthestartofthesecond30-secondtiebreaker.

c.atthestartoftheultimatetiebreaker.

d.afteropponenthastakenhis/hersecondinjurytime-out.

e.onthenextrestartafteropponentreceivesatwo-pointstallingpenalty.

ART.2...Badtimeinvolvestimethatoccurswhen:

a.aclockshouldhavebeenstoppedattheendofaperiod;or

b.wrestlinghasbeenallowedtocontinuefollowingaviolationwhenthematchshouldhavebeenstopped.

ART.3...Anypoints,penalties,orinjurytimethatoccurredduringbadtimeshallbevoidedwiththefollowingexceptions:flagrantmisconduct,unsportsmanlikeconduct,unnecessaryroughness,illegalholds/maneuvers,andbloodtime.

ART.4...Errorsrequiringbadtimetobere-wrestledmustbecorrectedpriortothestartofanysubsequentperiod.Ifthewrongwrestlerisgiventhechoiceofpositionatthestartofthesecondperiodoratthestartofthefirst30-secondtiebreakerinovertime,nore-wrestlingisnecessary.Theopponentmaybegiventhechoiceatthestartofthethirdperiodoratthestartofthesecond30-secondtiebreakerinovertime.

SECTION2BITING

ART.1...Bitingisanactofflagrantmisconduct;and,onthefirstoccurrence,anindividualshallbedisqualifiedfromcompetition.

ART.2...Ifintheopinionofthereferee,awrestlerhasbittenanopponentthiswillbedeemedasintentionalbitingandwillbecalledasflagrantmisconduct.

SECTION3BYE

ART.1...Whenthenumberofcompetitorsisnotapowerof2,thatis4,8,16,32and64,thereshallbebyesinthefirstround.Thenumberofbyesshallbeequaltothedifferencebetweenthenumberofcompetitorsandthenexthigherpoweroftwo.

ART.2...Thereshallbenobyesafterthefirstroundofcompetitioninboththechampionshipandconsolationbrackets,andnofurtherdrawingisnecessaryforchampionshiporconsolationrounds.

ART.3...Whenbyesarerequiredforthefirstround,theyshallbeplacedbymutualconsentordrawnsotheyaredistributedevenlythroughoutthebracket.

ART.4...Noquarter-bracketorhalf-bracketshallhavemorethanonebyeinexcessofitspairedbracket.

ART.5...Afterseededwrestlershavebeenplacedinthebracketandthebyesdrawn,remainingwrestlersshallbeplacedbydraw.

SECTION4CAUTION

ART.1...Acontestantwhoassumesanincorrectstartingpositionorwhofalsestartsreceivesacaution.

ART.2...Followingtwocautions,a1-pointpenaltyisassessedforeachsubsequentinfraction.

SECTION5COACHMISCONDUCT

ART.1...Coachmisconductoccurswhenacoachimproperlyquestionstherefereeatthescorer’stable.

ART.2...Whenacoachrequestsaconferencewiththerefereeatthescorer’stableregardingapossiblemisapplicationofarule,anditisdeterminedtherewasnomisapplicationorwhen,duringaconferenceatthescorer’stable,thecoachquestionsthejudgmentofthereferee,coachmisconductshallbecalled.Thecoachmisconductpenaltyshallalwaysbechargedtotheheadcoach.

ART.3...Coachmisconductresultsinthefollowing:

a.Firstoffense–warning;

b.Secondoffense–deductoneteampoint;

c.Thirdoffense–deducttwoteampointsandremovaloftheheadcoachfortheremainderoftheday.Thepenaltysequencestartsaneweachday.(SeePenaltyChart)

SECTION6CONTROL

ART.1...Controloccurswhenanindividualhasgainedrestrainingpoweroveranopponent.Awrestlerwhohascontrolofanopponentisinapositionofadvantage.

ART.2...Controlisgainedwhenatakedownoccurs,andchangeswhenanescapeorreversalisscored.

ART.3...Controldeterminestheawardingofpoints.

SECTION7DEFAULT

Adefaultisawardedwhenoneofthecompetitorsisunabletocontinuewrestlingforanyreason.

SECTION8DISQUALIFICATION

AdisqualifiedwrestlerisonewhoisremovedfromparticipationinaccordancewiththePenaltyChart,orproperlyreportstothescorer’stableinadualmeetandthenwithdraws.

SECTION9DUALMEET

Aseriesofmatches,oneineachoftheNFHSweightclasses,constitutesadualmeet.

SECTION10ESCAPE

Anescapeiswhenthedefensivewrestlergainsaneutralpositionandtheopponenthaslostcontrol,beyondreactiontime,whileallthesupportingpointsofeitherwrestlerareinbounds.

SECTION11FALL,NEARFALL&TECHNICALFALL

ART.1...Afalloccurswhenanypartofbothshouldersorbothscapulaofeitherwrestlerareincontactwiththematfortwoseconds.Thetwoseconds(one-thousand-one,one-thousand-two)shallbeasilentcountandshallstartonlyaftertherefereeisinpositiontoobserveifafallisimminent.Afallisimminentwhenanypartofbothshouldersorbothscapulaofeitherwrestlerareincontactwiththemat.Theshouldersorscapulamustbeheldinboundsincontinuouscontactwiththemat.Afallterminateswrestling.(Photos5-6)

ART.2...Anearfalloccurswhentheoffensivewrestlerhascontroloftheopponentinapinningsituationandnear-fallcriteriaaremetforaperiodoftwosecondsorlonger.(Photos5-8)

a.Criteriaforanearfalloccurwhenanypartofbothshouldersorbothscapulaeofthedefensivewrestlerareheldwithin4inchesofthematorless;orwhenoneshoulderorscapulaofthedefensivewrestleristouchingthematandtheothershoulderorscapulaisheldatanangleof45degreesorlesswiththemat;orwhenthedefensivewrestlerisheldinahighbridgeoronbothelbows.

b.Onlythewrestlerwiththeadvantage,whohasanopponentinthepinningsituation,mayscoreanearfall;

c.Anearfallisendedwhenthedefensivewrestlergetsoutofapinningsituation.Therefereemustnotsignalthescoreforanearfalluntilthesituationisendedandonlyonenearfallshallbescoredineachpinningsituation,regardlessofnumberoftimestheoffensivewrestlerplacesanopponentinthenear-fallpositionduringthepinningsituation;

d.Abridgebackinabodyscissorsorbridgeoverswithawristlockarenotconsiderednear-fallsituationseventhoughafallmaybescored;

e.Whenthedefensivewrestlerplaceshimselfinaprecariouspositionduringanattemptedescapeorreversal,anearfallshallnotbescored,unlesstheoffensivewrestlerhascontrolandrestrainstheopponentinapinningsituationfortwoseconds;

f.Ifthedefensivewrestlerisinjuredorbleedingoccursinanimminentnear-fallsituationorbeforethetwo-pointnearfallcriteriaofatwocounthavebeenmet,thematchwillbestoppedandatwo-pointnear-fallawarded.

g.Ifthedefensivewrestlerisinjuredorbleedingoccursafterthetwo-pointnear-fallcriteriaofatwocounthavebeenmetandbeforethethree-pointnear-fallcriteriaofafivecounthavebeenearned,thematchwillbestoppedandathree-pointnearfallshallbeawarded.

h.Ifthedefensivewrestlerisinjuredorindicatesaninjuryorbleedingoccursafterathree-pointnearfallisearned,thematchwillbestoppedandafour-pointnearfallshallbeawarded;

i.Inf-h,whenanimminentornear-fallsituationisstoppedduetoadefensivewrestlercommittingatechnicalviolation,applyinganillegalhold/maneuver,committingunnecessaryroughnessorunsportsmanlikeactwhichcannotbecorrectedandrequirestherefereetostopthematch,thematchwillbestoppedandapenaltypoint(s)shallbeawardedinadditiontothenear

fallpointsinaccordancewithf-h.

ART.3...Ifthenear-fallcriteriaaremetforaperiodoftwoseconds,atwo-pointnearfallwillbeearnedandifthenear-fallcriteriaaremetforfivecontinuousseconds,athree-pointnearfallwillbeearned.

ART.4...Atechnicalfalloccurswhenawrestlerhasearneda15-pointadvantageovertheopponent,however;

a.Ifatakedownorreversal,straighttonear-fallcriteriacreatesa15-pointadvantage,thematchshallcontinueuntilthenear-fallsituationhasconcluded.

b.Oncethetechnicalfallhasbeenearned,theoffensivewrestlercannotlosethematchexceptbyflagrantmisconduct.

ART.5...Afallornearfallshallnotbeawarded:

a.Unlessanypartofbothshouldersorbothscapulaeofthedefensivewrestlerisinbounds;

b.Ifthewrestlerbeingpinnedishandicappedbyhavinganyportionofthewrestler’sbodyoutofbounds.

SECTION12FLAGRANTMISCONDUCT

ART.1...FlagrantmisconductonthepartofCoachesorotherTeamPersonnelareactswhich:

a.therefereeconsidersseriousenoughtoremovetheoffenderfromthepremises;

b.canoccurpriorto,duringorafteramatch,includingtheuseoftobaccoproducts.

FlagrantmisconductshallbepenalizedinaccordancewiththePenaltyChart.

ART.2...Contestants:

a.Flagrantmisconductisanyphysicalornonphysicalactwhichoccursbefore,duringorafteramatchconsideredbytherefereetobeseriousenoughtodisqualifyacontestantfromthematchandanyadditionalwrestlinginamultipleschoolevent.

b.Actsinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

1.striking;

2.butting;

3.elbowing;

4.kickinganopponent;

5.useofanytobaccoproducts.

c.If,intheopinionofthereferee,awrestlerbitesanopponentthiswillbedeemedasintentionalbitingandwillbecalledasflagrantmisconduct.

SECTION13FORFEIT

Itshallbeconsideredaforfeitwhentheopponent,foranyreason,failstoappearforamatch.Inordertoreceiveaforfeitthewrestlershallbedressedinalegalwrestlinguniformandappearonthemat.

SECTION14ILLEGALHOLDS/MANEUVERS

ART.1...Anyhold/maneuverusedinsuchawayastoendangerlifeandlimbisillegal.Holds/maneuversareillegalwhenabodypartisforcedbeyondthelimitofnormalrangeofmovementorwhenunnecessaryforceisappliedtoanopponent.(SeeRule7-1)

ART.2...Anyhold/maneuverwithpressureexertedovertheopponent’smouth,nose,throatorneckthatrestrictsbreathingorcirculationisillegal.(Photos9-10)

SECTION15INBOUNDS

ART.1...Contestantsareconsideredtobeinboundsifallthesupportingpointsofeitherwrestlerareinsideorontheboundarylines.(Photo11)

ART.2...Supportingpointsarethepartsofthebodytouchingthewrestlingareawhichbearthewrestler’sweight,otherthanthosepartswithwhichthewrestlerisholdingtheopponent.

a.Whendownonthemat,theusualpointsofsupportare:

1.theknees;

2.thesideofthethigh;

3.thebuttocks;

4.thehand(s);

5.thehead.

b.Whenthedefensivewrestlerisontheirbackwhilethesupportingpointsofeitherwrestlerareinbounds,wrestlingshallcontinueaslongasthereisapossibilityoftheoffensivewrestlerbringingtheopponentbackintotheinboundsarea.Inthissituationanypartofadefensivewrestler’sshoulderorscapulaisconsideredtobeallthesupportingpoints.

c.Near-fallpointsorafallshallbeearnedonlywhileanypartofbothdefensivewrestler’sshouldersorbothscapulaeareinbounds.

ART.3...Wrestlingshallcontinueaslongasallthesupportingpointsofeitherwrestlerremaininbounds.Ifthereisnoactionattheedgeofthematandonewrestlerisoutofbounds,therefereemaystopthematch.

SECTION16MAT

Thematareaincludesthewrestlingmatandaspaceofatleast10feetsurroundingthemat,aswellastheteambenchesandscorer’stablewherefacilitiespermit.

SECTION17MATCH

ART.1...Amatchiscompetitionbetweentwoindividualwrestlerswhoareofasnearlyequalweightaspossible.

ART.2...Amatchbeginswhentheproperwrestlerreportstothescorer’stableindualmatchesandtournamentsuntiltheconclusionofwrestling.Theconclusionofwrestlingoccurswhenthetimeexpiresattheendofthethirdperiod,whentheovertimeends,orwhenafall,technicalfall,disqualificationoradefaultoccurs.

SECTION18OUTOFBOUNDS

Outofboundsoccurswhenasupportingpointofbothwrestlersisbeyondtheboundaryline.(Photo11)

SECTION19POSITIONS

ART.1...AdvantagePosition.Thepositionofadvantageisasituationinwhichacontestantisincontrolandmaintainingrestrainingpoweroveranopponent.Controlisthedeterminingfactor.Thefailureoftheoffensivewrestlertogettheheadoutfromthedefensivewrestler’sarmdoesnotnecessarilypreventtheoffensivewrestlerfromhavingcontrol.Awrestlermayhavecontrol,evenwhentheopponenthaslockedhandsaroundoneoftheopponent’slegs.

ART.2...DefensiveStartingPosition.Thedefensivewrestler’sstartingpositionrequiresthewrestlertobeatthecenterofthecirclestationaryonhandsandkneessobothkneesareonthematbehindandparalleltotherearstartingline.Theheelsofbothhandsshallbeonthematinfrontoftheforwardstartingline.Theelbowsshallnottouchthemat.Thispositionmustalsoallowtheoffensivewrestlertobeabletoassumealegalstartingpositiononeitherside.(Photo15)

ART.3...NeutralPosition.Aneutralpositionisoneinwhichneitherwrestlerhascontrol.

ART.4...NeutralStartingPosition.Theneutralstartingpositionrequiresbothcontestantstobestationaryandoppositeeachotherwithonefootonthegreenorredareaofthestartinglinesandtheotherfootonthelineorthelineextended,orbehindthefootonthelinewithnopartofthebodytouchingthematinfrontoftheleadfoot.(Photo12)

ART.5...OffensiveStartingPosition.Theoffensivestartingpositionisoneinwhichthewrestlerisattherightorleftsideofanopponentwithatleastonekneeonthematonthenearsideoftheopponent.Thenearsideistheoneonwhichtheoffensivewrestlerplacesthepalmofthehandonoroverthebackoftheopponent’snearelbow.Theoffensivewrestler’sheadshallbeonorabovethemid-lineoftheopponent’sback.Theotherarm(rightorleft)isplacedlooselyaroundthedefensivewrestler’sbody,perpendiculartothelongaxisofthebody,withthepalmofthehandplacedlooselyoverthedefensivewrestler’snavel.Akneeorfootmaybeplacedbehindthedefensivewrestler’sfeet.However,theoffensivewrestlerisnottoplaceafootorakneeonthematbetweentheopponent’sfeetorlegs,norstraddletheopponent.Theoffensivewrestler’slegsorfeetmaynotbeincontactwiththedefensivewrestler.(Photos13-18)

ART.6...Priortoassuminganoffensivestartingposition,theoffensivewrestlermaysignaltotherefereetheneutralposition.Thedefensivewrestlerisawardedanescape,andwrestlingbeginsfromtheneutralposition.

ART.7...OptionalOffensiveStartingPosition.Theoffensivewrestlermayuseanoptionalstart,bybeingpositionedoneithersideortotherearoftheopponentsupportingalloftheirweightonbothfeet,oneknee,orbothknees.Theoffensivewrestleristoplacethehandsontheopponent’sback(areabetweentheneckandwaist),thumbstouching,andonlythehandsaretobeincontactwiththedefensivewrestler.Theoffensivewrestlerisnottoplaceafoot,feet,oraknee(s)betweentheopponent’sfeetorlegs,infrontoftheforwardstartinglineorthelineextended,norstraddlestheopponent.(Photos19-20)

ART.8...Iftheoffensivewrestlerselectstheoptionalstartingposition,thewrestlermustindicatethisintenttothereferee.Therefereeshalltheninformthedefensivewrestleroftheoffensivewrestler’sintentions.Ifthedefensivewrestlerissetpriortobeinginformed,readjustmentcanbe

made.(Photo19)

ART.9...Therefereeshalldirecttheoffensivewrestlertoassumealegalstartingpositiononcethedefensivewrestlerisstationaryinalegalstartingposition.Oncetheoffensivewrestlerhasassumedalegalstartingpositionandisstationary,therefereeshallverballysay“set”andthenpausemomentarilybeforestartingwrestling.

ART.10...Whenstartingthecontestantsfromthedownposition,therefereemaybeinfrontoforbehindthecontestants.Therefereeshouldestablisheyecontactwiththescorer’stable.

SECTION20POTENTIALLYDANGEROUSHOLDS/MANEUVERS

Potentiallydangerousholds/maneuversincludeanyhold/maneuverwhichmaycauseinjurywhenusedlegally.Holds/maneuversbecomepotentiallydangerouswhenabodypartisforcedtothelimitofnormalrangeofmovement.Thewrestlerapplyingsuchahold/maneuvershallbeverballycautionedagainstforcingitintoanillegalposition.Iftheoffensivewrestlercausesapotentiallydangeroushold/maneuvertobecomeillegal,thewrestlershallbepenalizedaccordingtothePenaltyChart.

SECTION21RANDOMDRAW

ART.1...Randomdrawistherandomselectionofoneofthe14weightclassestodeterminethestartingweigh-inorderandorderofweightclassesforthedualmeet.Arandomdrawforchampionshipfinalmatchesforanindividualtournament,regularseasonand/orstatehighschoolchampionshipseriesmaybeusedforcompetition.Thedrawshalltakeplaceimmediatelyprecedingtheweigh-insandbesupervisedbytherefereeorotherauthorizedperson.Theweightclassdrawnwillbeconsideredanoddmatchandwilldeterminewhichweightclasswillstartweigh-insandthedualmeetwiththeotherweightclassesfollowinginthesequentialorder.

ART.2...Therefereeisrequiredtohaveakitavailabletofacilitatetherandomdraw.

SECTION22REVERSAL

ART.1...Itisareversalwhenthedefensivewrestlercomesfromunderneathandgainscontroloftheopponent,eitheronthematorinarear-standingposition,whileallthesupportingpointsofeitherwrestlerareinbounds.(Photos21-22)

ART.2...Inawardingareversalattheedgeofthemat,controlmustbeestablishedwhileallthesupportingpointsofeitherwrestlerareinboundsorwhileatleastthefeetofthescoringcontestantfinishdownonthematinbounds.

SECTION23STALEMATE

Itisastalematewhencontestantsareinterlockedinapositionotherthanapinningsituation,inwhichneitherwrestlercanimprovetheirrespectiveposition(s);oreithercompetitorhasthehandslockedaroundonelegoftheopponenttopreventscoring.Therefereeshall,assoonaspossible,stopthematchandwrestlingshallberesumedasforanoutofbounds.Handslockedrepeatedlyaroundonelegofanopponenttopreventscoringisconsideredstalling.

SECTION24STALLING

ART.1...Eachwrestlerisrequiredtomakeanhonestattempttostaywithinthe10-footcircleandwrestleaggressively,regardlessofpositionorthetimeorscoreofthematch.Actionistobemaintainedthroughoutthematchbythecontestantswrestlingaggressivelywhetherinthetop,bottomorneutralpositionandbothcontestantsareequallyresponsibleforinitiatingaction.Itistheresponsibilityofcontestants,coachesandrefereestoavoidtheuseofstallingtacticsorallowingtheusethereof.Thisshallbedemonstratedbythoseresponsiblewithstrictenforcementbyreferees.

ART.2...Whenarefereerecognizesstallingoccurringatanytimeandinanyposition,theoffendershallbewarnedandthereafterviolationsshallbepenalizedwhenstallingrecurs.Theseprovisionsrequiretherefereetopenalizestallingwithouthesitation.StallingshallbepenalizedinaccordancewiththePenaltyChart.

ART.3...Itisstallingintheneutralpositionwhenawrestler:

a.continuouslyavoidscontactwiththeopponent;

b.playstheedgeofthemat;

c.preventstheopponentfromreturningtoorremaininginbounds;or

d.isnotattemptingtosecureatakedown.

ART.4...Itisstallingwhenthecontestantintheadvantageposition:

a.doesnotwrestleaggressivelyandattemptstosecureafall,exceptwhenthewrestlerintentionallyreleasestheopponentinordertothereafterimmediatelyattempttosecureatakedown;

b.legallyholdstheheeltothebuttockswhilethedefensivewrestlerisbrokendownonthematformorethanfiveseconds;or

c.holdinganopponent’slegwiththeuseoftwohandsontwolegsortwohandsononeleginactionnotdesignedtobreaktheopponentdown,orisforthepurposeofsecuringafall,oristopreventanescapeorreversal,isstalling.Repeatedgraspingandholdingthelegorlegswithbothhandsorarmstobreakanopponentdownforthesolepurposeofcontrollingisstalling.

ART.5...Whenadefensivewrestlerrefusestoaggressivelyattemptescapesorreversals,itisstalling.

ART.6...Itisstallingwheneitherwrestler:

a.repeatedlygraspsorinterlocksaroundonelegoftheopponenttopreventscoring;or

b.delaysthematch.Thisincludesstragglingbackfromoutofbounds,unnecessarilychangingoradjustingequipmentordelayinassumingthestartingpositiononthemat;or

c.repeatedlycreatesastalematesituationtopreventanopponentfromscoring.

ART.7...Thedefensivewrestlerisnotstallingwhenoverpowered.

SECTION25TAKEDOWN

ART.1...Itisatakedownwhen,fromaneutralposition,awrestlergainscontrolovertheopponentdownonthematandallthesupportingpointsofeitherwrestlerareinbounds.Whenamajorityofthedefensivewrestler’sweightisborneonahand(s),itisconsideredasupportingpoint(s).(Photos23-30)

ART.2...Atakedownshallbeawardedwhenoneorbothkneesofthedefensivewrestleraretouchingthematbeyondreactiontimeorwhenthedefensivewrestler’slegsortorsoarecontrolledandthemajorityofthewrestler’sweightissupportedbythehands.(Photo31)

ART.3...Inawardingatakedownattheedgeofthemat,controlmustbeestablishedwhileallthesupportingpointsofeitherwrestlerareinboundsorwhileatleastthefeetofthescoringcontestantfinishdownonthematinbounds.(Photos32-34)

SECTION26TAUNTING

Tauntingisanyactoractionwhichisintendedordesignedtoembarrass,ridicule,ordemeanothersunderanycircumstancesincludingonthebasisofrace,religion,gender,ornationalorigin.

NOTE:TheNFHSdisapprovesofanyformoftauntingwhichisintendedordesignedtoembarrass,ridiculeordemeanothersunderanycircumstancesincludingonthebasisofrace,religion,genderornationalorigin.

SECTION27TECHNICALVIOLATIONS

ART.1...Therearefivetypesoftechnicalviolations.EachispenalizedwithoutwarningasoutlinedinRule7-3:

a.Intentionallygoingoutofthewrestlingareaorforcinganopponentoutofthewrestlingarea.

b.Graspingofclothing,matorearguards.

c.Interlockingoroverlappingthehands,fingersorarms.

d.Leavingthewrestlingareawithoutreferee’spermission.

e.Reportingtothescorer’stablenotproperlyequipped,readytowrestleoranyequipmentthatisdetectedasbeingillegalafterthematchhasstarted.

SECTION28TIME-OUT

ART.1...Injurytime.Ifacontestantsustainsaninjuryfromalegalmaneuver,thewrestlerisentitledtoamaximumof1½minuteswhichiscumulativethroughoutthematch,includingovertime.Twoinjurytime-outsmaybepermittedinanymatchprovidedthetotaltimedoesnotexceed1½minutes.

ART.2...Bloodtime.Ifacontestantbleeds,thewrestlerwillbechargedwithbloodtimewhichisamaximumoffiveminutescumulativethroughoutthematch,includingovertime.

ART.3...Recoverytime.Ifacontestantisinjuredasaresultofanillegalhold/maneuver,unnecessaryroughnessorunsportsmanlikeconductduringthematch,thewrestlerisentitledtotwominutesrecoverytime,whichisnotdeductedfromtheinjuredwrestler’sinjurytimeallowance.

ART.4...Referee’stime-out.Iftherefereeneedstoaddressasituationnotcoveredbyinjury,bloodorrecoverytime,areferee’stime-outshallbecharged.

ART.5...Coach/RefereeConference.Ifacoachbelievesamisapplicationofarulehastakenplaceaconferenceshalltakeplaceinfrontofthescorer’stable.Ifacorrectiontakesplaceitshallbeareferee’stime-out.Otherwise,thecoachshallbechargedwithCoachesMisconductinaccordwiththePenaltyChart.

SECTION29UNNECESSARYROUGHNESS

ART.1...Unnecessaryroughnessinvolvesphysicalactsthatoccurduringwrestling.Itincludesanyactwhichexceedsnormalaggressiveness.Itwouldinclude,butitisnotlimitedto:a)aforcefulapplicationofacrossface;b)aforcefultrip;c)aforearmorelbowusedinapunishingway,suchas,onthespineorthebackoftheheadorneck.

ART.2...Continuingactsofunnecessaryroughnessmaybeconstruedasflagrantmisconduct.Penaltypointsforunnecessaryroughnessshallbeawardedinadditiontopointsearned.

SECTION30UNSPORTSMANLIKECONDUCT

ART.1...CoachesandTeamPersonnel.Unsportsmanlikeconductofcoachesandotherteampersonnelisanyactwhichbecomesabusiveorinterfereswiththeorderlyprogressofthematch.Theseactsmayoccurpriorto,duringorafteramatch.Thisincludesviolationsofthebenchdecorumrule(7-5-2),taunting,actsofdisrespect,orthoseactionswhichincitenegativereactionbyothers.TheoffendershallbepenalizedforunsportsmanlikeconductinaccordancewiththePenaltyChart.

ART.2...Contestants.Unsportsmanlikeconductinvolvesphysicalornonphysicalactsandtheycanoccurbefore,duringorafteramatch.Itincludes,butisnotlimitedto,suchactsasfailuretocomplywiththedirectionofthereferee,pushing,shoving,swearing,taunting,intimidation,baitinganopponent,throwingearguardsoranyotherequipment,spitting,theclearingofthenasalpassageinotherthantheproperreceptacle,repeatedlydroppingtoonekneetobreaklockedhands,indicatingdispleasurewithacall,failuretokeepshoulderstrapsupwhileonthematandfailuretocomplywiththeend-of-matchprocedure.Continuingactsofunsportsmanlikeconductoranyunsportsmanlikeconductmaybeconstruedasflagrantmisconduct.

ART.3...Spectators.Anyact(physicalornonphysical),whichintheopinionofthereferee,isseriousenoughtowarrantremoval,shallcausethespectatortoberemovedfromthepremisesfortheremainderoftheevent.Itisthehometeamadministrationortournamentdirector’s/designee’sresponsibilitytoensureaspectatorisremovedwhendirectedbythereferee.

Rule6ConductofMatches

SECTION1LENGTHOFMATCH

ART.1...Regularmatchesindualmeetsortournamentchampionshipcompetition,shallbesixminutesinlengthdividedintothreeperiodsoftwominuteseach.

ART.2...Consolationmatchesshallconsistofthreeperiods.Thefirstperiodshallbeoneortwominutesinlength,andthesecondandthirdperiodsshalleachbetwominutesinlength.

ART.3...Overtimematches,intournamentsanddualmeets,shallconsistofone,one-minuteperiodfollowedbytwo,30-secondtiebreakers,ifnecessary,andone,30-secondultimatetiebreaker,ifnecessary.

ART.4...Inallmatchesthereisnorestbetweenperiodsandthematchisrecessedonlylongenoughtopositionthewrestlersforthestartofthenextperiod.

SECTION2STARTINGTHEMATCH

ART.1...Ateamintentionallydelayingitsappearancetothematareabeyondfiveminutesoftheestablisheddualmeetstartingtime,shallbepenalizedoneteampoint.Iftheteamdoesnotappearwithinthenextfiveminutes,thereshallbeateamforfeitureforthedualmeet.

ART.2...Indual-meetcompetition,thewrestlersmustbereadytogotothescorer’stableimmediatelywhencalledbythereferee.Thewrestlertobesenttothescorer’stablefirst,whothencannotbewithdrawnorreplacedwithoutbeingdisqualifiedandtheweightclassbeingawardedtotheotherwrestlerbydisqualificationifthereisone,shallbedeterminedbythepre-meetdisktoss.Oncethesecondwrestlerhasproperlyreportedtothescorer’stableinpropersequence,asdeterminedbythepre-meetdisktoss,neithercanbewithdrawnorreplacedwithoutdisqualificationandtheweightclassawardedbydisqualification.Matchchoicesaredeterminedbytherandomdraw.Thefirstmatchselectedisodd.Iftheevennumberedmatchesareselected,thecoachwillsenditswrestlertothescorer’stablefirstfortheevenmatches.Theopposingteamthenwillsenditswrestlertothescorer’stablefirstfortheoddnumberedmatches.Therefereeshallcorrecterrorswithoutpenaltytothecontestants.

ART.3...Thefirstperiodshallstartwiththewrestlersintheneutralposition.Thewrestlerswillshakehandsandwhentherefereesoundsthewhistle,theyshallbeginwrestling.Ifnofalloccursduringthefirstperiod,therefereeshallbeginthesecondperiodwiththewrestlerwhohasthechoiceselectingtop,bottom,neutralordeferringthechoiceuntilthethirdperiod.Thewrestlerwhohasthechoiceorthewrestlerwhoisdeferredtoforchoice,shallselectthetop,bottomorneutralposition.(Photo35)

ART.4...Inmatchesinvolvingwrestlerswithvisualimpairments,thefinger-touchmethodshallbeusedintheneutralpositionandinitialcontactshallbemadefromthefront.Contactistobemaintainedthroughoutthematch.(Photo36)

SECTION3CHOICEOFPOSITION

ART.1...Thewinnerofthetossshallchoosetheoddorevennumberedweightclasseslistedconsecutively.Thischoiceisnotalteredincaseoffall,default,forfeitordisqualification.

ART.2...Duringtournamentcompetition,immediatelyfollowingtheendofthefirstperiod,therefereeshalldeterminewhichwrestlerhasthechoiceatthestartofthesecondperiodbythetossofadisk.

ART.3...Thechoiceofthewrestlersforthestartofthethirdperiodshallbethereverseofthechoiceinthesecondperiod.

NOTE:Ifasecondinjurytime-outistaken,theopponentwillhavechoiceofpositionfortherestart,(thetop,bottomorneutralpositionshallbechosen).Ifthesecondinjurytime-outoccursattheconclusionofthefirstperiod,theopponentwillhavethechoiceatthestartofthesecondandthirdperiods.(SeeRule8-2-1)

SECTION4STOPPINGANDSTARTINGTHEMATCH

ART.1...Whenasupportingpointofbothwrestlersisoutofbounds,wrestlingshallbestoppedandwrestlersreturnedtothecenterofthematandstartedaccordingtothepositionofeachatthetimetheywentoutofbounds.Ifthewrestlersgooutofboundsintheneutralposition,thematchshallberesumedwitheachwrestleratthedesignatedgreenorredarea.

ART.2...Itisastalematewhen:

a.thecontestantsareinterlockedinaposition,otherthanapinningsituation,inwhichneitherwrestlercanimprovetheposition;or

b.eithercompetitorhashandslockedaroundonelegoftheopponenttopreventscoring.Therefereeshall,assoonaspossible,stopthematchandwrestlingshallberesumedasforoutofbounds.If“b”isusedrepeatedly,itbecomesstalling.(Photo37)

ART.3...Ifawrestlerisinjuredduetolegalorillegalaction,therefereeshallstopthematch.

ART.4...Anycoachofthecontestantorthecontestanthastheprerogativetodefaultamatchtotheopponentatanytimepriortotheconclusionofwrestlingbyinformingthereferee.

ART.5...Iftherequiredprotectiveearguardismisplaced,therefereeisauthorizedtostopthematchasfollows:

a.intheneutralposition,whennotakedownisinprogress,thematchmaybestoppedassoonastheearguardisdisplaced;

b.ifthewrestlerisbeingplacedatadisadvantagebecausethemisplacedearguardiscoveringtheeyes,nose,mouthoriscausingchoking,thematchshallbestoppedsothattheproperadjustmentmaybemade;or

c.inallothersituations,therefereeshallstopthematchonlywhenthereisnosignificantactiontakingplace.Itshallberestartedasfollowinganoutofbounds.

ART.6...Whenpenalizingeithercontestant,thematchmaybestoppedandrestartedasoutlinedinRule8,Section1.

SECTION5END-OF-MATCHPROCEDURE

ART.1...Ifnofalloccursduringthefinalperiod,therefereeshalldirectthewrestlerstoreturnandremainonthe10-footcirclewhiletherefereeverifiesthematchscore.(Itmaybenecessaryfortherefereetogotothescorer’stable.)

ART.2...Thewrestlersshallshakehandsandtherefereeshalldeclarethewinnerbyraisingthewinningwrestler’shand.

SECTION6CORRECTIONOFERRORS

ART.1...Errorsrequiringbadtimetobere-wrestledmustbecorrectedpriortothestartofanysubsequentperiod.Ifthewrongwrestlerisgiventhechoiceofpositionatthestartofthesecondperiodoratthestartofthefirst30-secondtiebreakerinovertime,nore-wrestlingisnecessary.Theopponentmaybegiventhechoiceatthestartofthethirdperiodoratthestartofthesecond30-secondtiebreakerinovertime.

ART.2...Whenanerroroccursinpositioningwrestlers:

a.atthestartofthethirdperiod;or

b.atthestartofthesecond30-secondtiebreaker;or

c.atthestartoftheultimatetiebreaker;or

d.aftertheopponenthastakenhis/hersecondinjurytime-out;or

e.onthenextrestartaftertheopponentreceivesatwo-pointstallingpenalty.

NOTE:Allpointsearnedduringbadtimearecanceled–Exceptions:Rule5-1-3.Ina.-c.above,followingcorrectionsmadeandarestofoneminute,theperiodshallbere-wrestled.Ind.ande.above,andothersituationswhenthereisbadtime,andiftheamountofbadtimecanbedeterminedbythereferee,badtimeshallbedeletedand/orre-wrestledwithoutdelay.

ART.3...Whenthetimekeepermakesanerrorortheclockfailstostartwhentherefereeindicatestimeistobegin,therefereeistomakeajudgmentconcerningtheamountoftimethatshouldhavebeenconsumed.Therefereewilladjusttheclockaccordingly.Errorsmustbecorrectedpriortothestartofanysubsequentperiod.

ART.4...Dualmeetscoringerrorsbytherefereeorofficialscorer:

a.MatchScore

1.Errorsbythetimekeeper,officialscorerorrefereemustbecorrectedpriortotheoffendedcontestantleavingthematareaifadditionalwrestlingisnecessary.Ifadditionalwrestlingisnotnecessary,theerrormaybecorrectedaslongastheoffendedcontestantorcoachremainsinthematarea.

2.Errorsinvolvingthecomputationofmatchscoremustbecorrectedwithin30minutesaftertheconclusionofthedualmeet.Iftheerrornecessitatesadditionalwrestling,itmustbecorrectedpriortothenextmatch.

b.TeamScore

1.Errorsinvolvingtherecordingorcomputationofteamscoresmustbecorrectedwithin30minutesoftheconclusionofthedualmeet.

NOTE:Itisthecoach’sresponsibilitytoknowtheteamscoresattheconclusionofthedualmeet.Anydiscrepancymustbereportedwithina30-minutetimeframefollowingtheconclusionofthedualmeet.

ART.5...Tournamentscoringerrorsbytherefereeorofficialscorer:

a.MatchScore

1.Errorsbythetimekeeper,officialscorerorrefereemustbecorrectedpriortotheoffendedcontestantleavingthematareaifadditionalwrestlingisnecessary.Ifadditionalwrestlingisnotnecessary,theerrormaybecorrectedaslongastheoffendedcontestantorcoachremainsinthematarea.

2.Errorsinvolvingthecomputationofmatchscoremustbecorrectedpriortothenextmatchinwhicheitherwrestlercompetes.Iftheerrornecessitatesadditionalwrestlingitmustbecorrectedpriortotheoffendedcontestantleavingthematarea.

b.TeamScore

1.Errorsinvolvingtherecordingorcomputationofteamscoresmustbecorrectedwithin30minutesoftheofficialpostingofteamscores.

NOTE:Itisthecoach’sresponsibilitytoknowtheteamscoresattheconclusionofthetournament.Anydiscrepancymustbereportedwithina30-minutetimeframefollowingtheconclusionofthetournament.

ART.6...Whenacoachbelievestherefereehasmisappliedaruleordisagreeswithjudgment,thecoachmayapproachthescorer’stable,requestthematchbestopped(whenthereisnosignificantaction)anddiscussthematterwiththerefereedirectlyinfrontofthescorer’stable.Bothwrestlersshallreturnandremainonthe10-footcircle.Iftherefereehasmisappliedarule,necessaryadjustmentswillbemade,anexplanationtotheopposingcoachwillbemade,andwrestlingwillimmediatelyberesumed.Ifthereisnoerror,orifthecoachdisagreeswiththereferee’sjudgment,thecoachingstaffwillbepenalizedforcoachmisconduct.Thefirsttimeitoccursinadualmeetoratournamentisawarning;thesecondtimeisthedeductionof1teampoint;andthethirdtimetheheadcoachshallberemovedfromthepremisesfortheremainderofthedayand2teampointsdeducted.

SECTION7OVERTIME

ART.1...Whenthecontestantsaretiedattheendofthethreeregularperiods,theywillwrestleovertime.Overtimewillconsistofaone-minutesuddenvictoryperiod,andifneededtwo30-secondtiebreakers.Ifthescoreremainstiedattheendofthetwo30-secondtiebreakers,a30-secondultimatetiebreakershalltakeplace.Theprocedurewillbe:

a.norestbetweentheregulationmatchandthesuddenvictory;

b.wrestlersintheneutralposition;

c.thewrestlerwhoscoresthefirstpoint(s)willbedeclaredthewinner;ifnowinnerisdeclaredbytheendofthesuddenvictory,thenthefollowingprocedurewillbeused:

1.two30-secondstiebreakerswillbewrestledtocompletionandscorekeptasintheregularmatch;

2.therefereeshallflipadisktodeterminewhichwrestlerhasthechoiceofstartingpositionforthefirsttiebreaker;

3.thewrestlerwhohaschoiceinthefirsttiebreakermayselecttop,bottom,ordeferthechoicetotheopponent;

4.attheconclusionofthefirst30-secondtiebreaker,theopponentwillhavethechoiceoftoporbottomposition;

5.whicheverwrestlerhasscoredthemostpointsinthetwo30-secondtiebreakerswillbedeclaredthewinner;

6.ifthescoreistiedattheendofthetwo30-secondtiebreakers;thechoiceofpositionfortheultimatetiebreakerwillbegrantedtothewrestlerwhoscoredthefirstpoint(s)intheregulationmatch(firstthreeperiodsofthematch);thewrestlerwhoseopponenthasreceivedanunsportsmanlikeconductpenaltyatanytimeduringthematchwillhavethechoiceofposition.Theunsportsmanlikeconductpenaltywillsupersedethefirstpointsscoredintheregulationmatch;ifnopointsarescoredintheregulationmatch,aflipofthediskshalldeterminethewrestlerwhohasthechoice(pointsfordouble-stallingorsimultaneouspenaltiesshallbeconsideredasnopointsforthepurposeofthetiebreakerchoice);

7.thewrestlerwhohaschoicemayselecttop,bottomordeferthechoicetotheopponent;

8.thewrestlerwhoscoresthefirstpoint(s)duringtheultimatetiebreakerwillbedeclaredthewinner.Ifnoscoringoccursduringtheultimatetiebreaker,theoffensivewrestlerwillbedeclaredthewinnerandonematchpointshallbeaddedtotheoffensivewrestler'sscore.

d.afallterminatesthematch.

ART.2...Overtimeisanextensionoftheregularmatch.Allpoints,penalties,cautions,warnings,

time-outandinjurytimewillbecumulativethroughouttheregularmatchandtheovertimeperiod.

ART.3...Ifthepointsearnedinthesuddenvictoryorultimatetiebreakerinvolveatakedownorreversalstraighttonear-fallcriteria,thematchshallcontinueuntilthenear-fallorfallsituationhasconcluded.

Rule7Infractions

SECTION1ILLEGALHOLDS/MANEUVERS

ART.1...Aslamisliftingandreturninganopponenttothematwithunnecessaryforce.Thisinfractionmaybecommittedbyacontestantineitherthetoporbottompositiononthemat,aswellasduringatakedown.Aslamshallbecalledwithouthesitation.

ART.2...Afull,straight-backsuplayandthestraight-backsaltototheheadareillegal.

ART.3...Anintentionaldrilloraforcefulfall-backisillegalandusuallyoccurswhenthedefensivewrestler,fromastandingposition,goesforciblytothematwhiletheoffensivewrestlerhasascissorsoracross-bodyride.

ART.4....Pullingbackasopposedtograspingthethumbor1,2or3fingersofanopponent’shand.

ART.5...Otherillegalholds/maneuversinclude,butarenotlimitedto:(Photos38-90)

a.adoubleunderhooksnapbackfromthestandingposition;(Photo38-40)

b.thehammerlockabovetherightangle;(Photo41-42)

c.thetwistinghammerlockalongwithliftingtheelbowoffthebackinahammerlocksituation;(Photo43)

d.anyheadlockinwhichthearmsorhandsarelockedaroundtheopponent’sheadwithoutencirclinganarm(elboworabove)orleg(exceptintheguillotineafternear-fallcriteriahasbeenmetor¾Nelson);(Photo44-58)

e.straightheadscissors(eventhoughanarmisincluded);(Photo59)

f.fullnelson;(Photo60-64)

g.holds/maneuversputtingpressureonthethroatand/orcarotidartery;

h.twistingkneelocktakenagainstthejointand/orawayfromthebody;(Photo65)

i.keylock;(Photo66)

j.overheaddoublearmbar;(Photo67-69)

k.lockingthehandsbehindthebackinadoublearmbarfromthefront;

l.neckwrench;(Photo70-72)

m.front,quarternelsonwiththechin;(Photo74)

n.legblock(cut-back);(Photo73)

o.overscissorswhenpressureisappliedagainstthejointwhichmaycausehyperextension;(Photo75-76)

p.bending,twistingorforcingtheheadoranylimbbeyonditsnormallimitsofmovement;(Photo77-82)

q.backbow;(Photo83)

r.figure4aroundthebody,theheadorbothlegs;(Photo84-87)

s.chickenwingwithpressuretowardtheshoulder,paralleltothelongaxisofthebody;

t.hand(s)intheeye(s)orrakingtheeye(s);

u.anyhold/maneuverusedforpunishment;

v.anyhold/maneuverwithpressureexertedovertheopponent’smouth,nose,throatorneckthatrestrictsbreathingorcirculation;

w.abackflipfromthestandingposition;and

x.rear-standing,double-kneekickback.(Photo88)

ART.6...Awrestlerapplyingalegalhold/maneuvershallnotbepenalizedwhentheopponentturnsalegalhold/maneuverintoanillegalhold/maneuver.Therefereeshallcausethehold/maneuvertobereleasedwhenitbecomesillegal.Thematchneednotbestoppedunlesstherefereefindsitnecessarytodosoinordertocorrectthesituation.Wheneverpossible,anillegalhold/maneuvershallbepreventedratherthanpenalized.

SECTION2POTENTIALLYDANGEROUSHOLDS/MANEUVERS

ART.1...Holds/maneuversarepotentiallydangerouswhenabodypartisforcedtothelimitofnormalrangeofmovement.Thewrestlerapplyingsuchahold/maneuvershallbecautionedagainstforcingitintoanillegalposition.Iftheoffensivewrestlercausesapotentiallydangeroushold/maneuvertobecomeillegal,theoffendershallbepenalizedaccordingtothePenaltyChart.

ART.2...Potentiallydangerousholds/maneuversinclude:

a.thedoublewristlock;

b.splitscissors;

c.theguillotine,whenthearmisforcedtosuchanextentastoendangeracontestant;

d.chickenwing;

e.toeholds;

f.afrontheadlockoranyheadlockwithanarmorlegencircled;and

g.otherholds/maneuverswhichmaycauseinjurywhenusedlegally.

Contestantsshouldknowthedangersoftheseholds/maneuvers.Therefereeshouldanticipatethedangersofinjuryfromtheseholds/maneuversandbeinapositiontoblockthembeforetheyreachthedangerpoint.Therefereeshallverballycautioncontestantsagainstforcingpotentiallydangerousholds/maneuversintoillegalpositionswithoutinterruptingaction,unlessitisnecessarytostopthehold/maneuverinordertopreventinjury.Whenthedefensivewrestlerstandssupportingalloftheweightoftheoffensivewrestler,apotentiallydangeroussituationexistsandtherefereeshallstopthematch.(Photos91-102)

ART.3...Thedoublewristlockandchickenwingbecomeillegalwhenforcedintoatwistinghammerlockposition,orwiththeforceappliedparallelinsteadofperpendiculartothelongaxisoftheopponent’sbody.

ART.4...Nocontestantshouldeverbeputinapositionwheretheymustforfeitaneutralposition,apositionofadvantageorafallbecauseofaninjuryordangertolifeorlimb.Therefereeshallpromptlystopanyandallholds/maneuverswhicharebeingusedforpunishment.Ifalegitimatehold/maneuverisforcedtosuchanextentastoendangeracontestant,orifitbecomesapunishinghold/maneuver,therefereeshallstopthematchinordertorequirethehold/maneuvertobebroken.Thematchshallberestartedasfollowinganoutofbounds.

SECTION3TECHNICALVIOLATIONS

ART.1...Goingoutofthewrestlingareaorforcinganopponentoutofthewrestlingarea,byeitherwrestleratanytimeasameansofavoidingwrestling,isatechnicalviolation.Bothwrestlersshouldmakeeveryefforttoremaininbounds.Whentherefereefeelsthateitherwrestlerhasfailedtomakeeveryefforttostayinbounds,theoffendingwrestlershallbepenalized.Therecanbenotechnicalviolationoffleeingthematifnear-fallpointshavebeenearned.

ART.2...Graspingofclothing,matorearguardsbyacontestantisprohibited.Anyadvantagegainedtherebyshallbenullified.Graspingofclothing,matorearguardstogainorpreventanescape,reversal,takedown,nearfallorfallisatechnicalviolationandthepenaltypointsshallbeawardedinadditiontopointsearned.

ART.3...Interlockingoroverlappingthehands,fingersorarmsaroundtheopponent’sbody(withorwithoutarmsincluded)orbothlegsbyawrestlerintheadvantageposition,unlesstheopponenthasalltheweightsupportedentirelybythefeetorhasliftedtheopponentoffthematortheopponenthasmetnear-fallcriteria,isatechnicalviolationandthepenaltypoint(s)shallbeawardedinadditiontopointsearned.(Whenbringingyouropponenttothemat,handsoverlappingorinterlockingbeyondreactiontimeisatechnicalviolation.)(Photos103-106)

ART.4...Leavingthewrestlingarea,withoutfirstreceivingpermissiontodosofromthereferee,isatechnicalviolation.

ART.5...Reportingtothescorer’stable,notproperlyequipped,ornotreadytowrestleoranyequipmentthatisdetectedasbeingillegalafterthematchhasstartedisatechnicalviolation.(SeePenaltyChart)

SECTION4CONDUCTOFCONTESTANTS

ART.1...Unnecessaryroughnessinvolvesphysicalactsthatoccurduringwrestling.Itincludesanyactwhichexceedsnormalaggressiveness.Itwouldinclude,butitisnotlimitedto,aforcefulapplicationofacrossface,aforcefultriporaforearmorelbowusedinapunishingway,suchas,onthespineorthebackoftheheadorneck,aforcefulslaptotheheadorface,and/orgougingorpokingtheeyes.Continuingactsofunnecessaryroughnessalsocanbeconstruedasflagrantmisconduct.Penaltypointsforunnecessaryroughnessshallbeawardedinadditiontopointsearned.

ART.2...Unsportsmanlikeconductinvolvesphysicalornonphysicalactsandtheycanoccurbefore,duringorafteramatch.Itincludes,butisnotlimitedto,suchactsasfailuretocomplywiththedirectionofthereferee,pushing,shoving,swearing,taunting,intimidation,baitinganopponent,throwingearguardsoranyotherequipment,spittingandtheclearingofthenasalpassageinotherthantheproperreceptacle,repeatedlydroppingtoonekneetobreaklockedhands,indicatingdispleasurewithacall,failuretokeepshoulderstrapsupwhileonthematandfailuretocomplywiththeend-of-matchprocedure.Continuingactsofunsportsmanlikeconductoranyunsportsmanlikeconductmaybeconstruedasflagrantmisconduct.

NOTE:TheNFHSdisapprovesofanyformoftauntingwhichisintendedordesignedtoembarrass,ridiculeordemeanothersunderanycircumstanceincludingonthebasisofrace,religion,genderornationalorigin.

ART.3...Flagrantmisconductinvolvesphysicalornonphysicalactsandtheycanoccurbefore,duringorafteramatchandisanyactconsideredbytherefereetobeseriousenoughtodisqualifyacontestantfromthematchandanyadditionalwrestlinginthemultipleschoolevent.Itisnotlimitedtostriking,butting,elbowing,kicking,bitinganopponent,orusinganytobaccoproducts.

SECTION5CONDUCTOFCOACHES,TEAMPERSONNELANDOTHERS

ART.1...Allpersonsaffiliatedwiththeteamincludingwrestlers,coaches,athletictrainersandmanagersaresubjecttotherulesandwillbegovernedbydecisionsofthereferee.

ART.2...Coachesandotherteampersonnelarerestrictedtothebench/chairswhiletheclockisrunningandduringnormaloutofboundsandresumptionofwrestling.Duringthistimethecoachmaywalkbehindtheteambenchtoencouragewrestlers,or,whennecessaryfortheteambenchtobelocatedinthebleachers,towalkinfrontoftheteamareaparalleltothebleachers.Thecoachmayapproachthescorer’stabletorequestthematchbestoppedtodiscussthemisapplicationofarule.Thecoachmaymovetowardsthematonlyduringachargedtime-outorattheendofthematch.(SeeRule2-2)

ART.3...Unsportsmanlikeconductofcoachesandotherteampersonnelisanyactwhichbecomesabusiveorinterfereswiththeorderlyprogressofthematch.Theseactscouldoccurpriorto,duringorafteramatch.Thisincludesviolationsofthebenchdecorumrule(7-5-2),taunting,actsofdisrespectorthoseactionswhichincitenegativereactionbyothers.TheoffendershallbepenalizedforunsportsmanlikeconductinaccordancewiththePenaltyChart.

ART.4...CoachMisconductiscalledwhenaconferenceisrequestedwiththerefereeatthescorer’stableregardingamisapplicationofarule,andtherefereedeterminesthereisnomisapplicationinvolved,orwhen,duringaconference,acoachquestionsthejudgmentofthereferee.

ART.5...Flagrantmisconductonthepartofthecoachoranyotherteampersonnelisanyactwhichtherefereeconsidersseriousenoughtoremovetheoffenderfromthepremises.Theseactscanoccurpriorto,duringorafteramatch.Thisincludestheuseoftobaccoproducts.FlagrantmisconductshallbepenalizedinaccordancewiththePenaltyChart.

ART.6...Aspectatorwhoactsinanunsportsmanlikemannermayberemovedfromthepremisesfortheremainderoftheevent.Whenrequestedbythereferee,thehomemanagementshallberesponsiblefortheremovalofspectatorswhobecomeoffensive.Thisshallbedonewithoutpenaltytoeitherteam.

SECTION6STALLING

ART.1...Eachwrestlerisrequiredtomakeanhonestattempttostaywithinthe10-footcircleandwrestleaggressively,regardlessofpositionorthetimeorscoreofthematch.Actionistobemaintainedthroughoutthematchbythecontestantswrestlingaggressivelywhetherinthetop,bottomorneutralpositionandbothcontestantsareequallyresponsibleforinitiatingaction.Itistheresponsibilityofcontestants,coachesandrefereestoavoidtheuseofstallingtacticsorallowingtheusethereof.Thisshallbedemonstratedbythoseresponsiblewithstrictenforcementbyreferees.

ART.2...Whenarefereerecognizesstallingoccurringatanytimeandinanyposition,theoffendershallbewarnedandthereafterviolationsshallbepenalizedwhenstallingrecurs.Theseprovisionsrequiretherefereetopenalizestallingwithouthesitation.StallingshallbepenalizedinaccordancewiththePenaltyChart.

ART.3...Itisstallingintheneutralpositionwhenawrestler:

a.continuouslyavoidscontactwiththeopponent;

b.playstheedgeofthemat;

c.preventstheopponentfromreturningtoorremaininginbounds;or

d.isnotattemptingtosecureatakedown.

ART.4...Itisstallingwhenthecontestantintheadvantageposition:

a.doesnotwrestleaggressivelyandattempttosecureafall,exceptwhenthewrestlerintentionallyreleasestheopponentinordertothereafterimmediatelyattempttosecureatakedown;

b.legallyholdstheheeltothebuttockswhilethedefensivewrestlerisbrokendownonthematformorethanfiveseconds;or

c.holdinganopponent’slegwiththeuseoftwohandsontwolegsortwohandsononeleginactionnotdesignedtobreaktheopponentdown,orforthepurposeofsecuringafall,ortopreventanescapeorreversal,isstalling.Repeatedgraspingandholdingthelegorlegswithbothhandsorarmstobreakanopponentdownforthesolepurposeofcontrollingisstalling.

ART.5...Whenadefensivewrestlerrefusestoaggressivelyattemptescapesorreversals,itisstalling.

ART.6...Itisstallingwheneitherwrestler:

a.repeatedlygraspsorinterlocksaroundonelegoftheopponenttopreventscoring;or

b.delaysthematch.Thisincludesstragglingbackfromoutofbounds,unnecessarilychangingoradjustingequipmentordelayinassumingthestartingpositiononthemat;or

c.repeatedlycreatesastalematesituationtopreventanopponentfromscoring.

ART.7...Thedefensivewrestlerisnotstallingwhenoverpowered.

Rule8PenaltiesandInjuries

SECTION1PENALTYADMINISTRATION

ART.1...Anycontestantreportingtothescorer’stablenotproperlyequippedornotreadytowrestleisatechnicalviolation.Awrestlerwithgreasysubstanceonthebodyoruniform,impropergrooming,objectionablepadsandbraces,illegalequipment,illegaluniformoranyequipmentthatisdetectedasbeingillegalafterthematchhasstartedshallbedisqualifiedifnotremovedorcorrectedwithinthe1½-minuteinjurytime.

ART.2...Whenindicatinganinfraction,therefereeshallstopthematchwiththefollowingexceptions:

a.warningorpenalizingthedefensivewrestlerforstalling;

b.warningorpenalizingforstallingintheneutralposition;

c.warningorpenalizingtheoffensivewrestlerforstallingoratechnicalviolationwhenthedefensivewrestlerisontheirfeet(regardlessoftheposition/locationoftheoffensivewrestler);

d.inapinningsituation,topenalizethedefensivewrestler;

EXCEPTION:Whenthesituationhasconcluded,therefereeshallstopthematch,signalandverballyannouncetheinfractionandawardpointsearned.

e.lockedhandsorgraspingofclothingbytheoffensivewrestlerwhilethedefensivewrestlerisattemptinganescapeorreversal;

EXCEPTION:Therefereeshallstopthematchwhenitisobviousthedefensivewrestlerwillnotcompleteanescapeorreversal.Ifthedefensivewrestlerissuccessfulwiththeescapeorreversal,thematchshallnotbestoppedtoawardpoints.

f.graspingofclothingbythewrestlerbeingtakendownwhenatakedownisimminent.

EXCEPTION:Therefereeshallstopthematchwhenitisobviousthatthetakedownwillnotbecompleted.Ifthetakedownissuccessful,thematchshallnotbestoppedtoawardpoints.

ART.3...Penaltiesandwarningsarecumulativethroughoutthematch.Eachinfractionhasitsspecificpenalty.Thepenaltyforanillegalhold/maneuver,technicalviolation(exceptfalsestartorincorrectstartingposition),unnecessaryroughnessandwrestler’sunsportsmanlikeconductinthematchisawardingtheopponentoftheoffenderonematchpointonthefirstandsecondoffenses,andtwomatchpointsonthethirdoffense.Afourthoffenseshallresultindisqualification.Thefirstcallforstallingwillreceiveawarningpriortoyouropponentbeingawardedamatchpoint.Thefirsttwocallsforafalsestartorincorrectstartingpositionwillreceivecautions.Followingthetwocautions,onematchpointwillbereceivedforeachsubsequentviolation.(SeePenaltyChart)

ART.4...Unsportsmanlikeconductbyawrestlerpriortooraftertheconclusionofwrestling,coachesorotherteampersonnel,resultsinthedeductionofoneteampointforthefirstoffense.Onthesecondoffensetwoteampointsshallbededucted.Theindividualwillberemovedfromthepremisesfortheremainderoftheeventprovidedauthorizedschoolpersonnelisavailabletosupervise;ifnosupervisionisavailable,thestudentshallbeconfinedtothebencharea.Thesepenaltiescarryoverinamultiple-dayevent.(SeePenaltyChart)

ART.5...CoachMisconductresultsinthefollowing:

a.Firstoffense–warning;

b.Secondoffense–deductoneteampoint;

c.Thirdoffense–deducttwoteampointsandremovaloftheheadcoachfortheremainderoftheday.Thepenaltysequencestartsaneweachday.(SeePenaltyChart)

ART.6...Flagrantmisconductresultsindisqualificationoftheindividual,immediateremovalfromthepremisesandthedeductionofthreeteampointsonthefirstoffense.Astudentmayberemovedfromthepremisesonlyifthereisauthorizedschoolpersonnelpresenttosupervisesaidstudent.Ifnosupervisionisavailable,thestudentshallbeconfinedtothebencharea.Anycontestantdisqualifiedinanindividualtournamentcompetitionisnotentitledtoanypointsearnedinthetournament.Alladvancementpoints,fallpoints,placementpoints,etc.arenegated.Allvacanciescreatedinthetournamentpairingshallbescoredasforfeits.Indual-meetcompetition,anyteampointsearnedshallbenegated.

Flagrantmisconductwilldisqualifyanyindividualfromtheremainderofamultipleschooleventoratournament.(SeePenaltyChart)

SECTION2INJURY

ART.1...Aninjuredorillcontestantisentitledtoamaximuminjurytime-outof1½minuteswhichiscumulativethroughoutthematch,includingovertimeperiods.Timerequiredtotreatapre-existingmedicalconditionorillnessisalsocountedasinjurytime.Thereisalimitoftwoinjurytime-outswhichmaybepermittedinanymatch,providedthetotaltimedoesnotexceed1½minutes.Ifasecondinjurytime-outistakenduringaregulationperiod,theopponentshallhavethechoiceoftop,bottomorneutralpositionontherestart.

EXCEPTIONS:

a.Ifthesecondinjurytime-outistakenattheconclusionofthefirstperiod,theopponentshallhavethechoiceatthestartofthesecondandthirdperiods.

b.Ifthesecondinjurytime-outistakenattheconclusionofthesecondperiod,theopponentshallhavethechoiceatthestartofthethirdperiod.

c.Ifthesecondinjurytime-outistakenattheconclusionofthesecondperiod,andtheopponentalreadyhasthechoiceatthebeginningofthethirdperiod,theopponentwouldthenhavetheaddedchoiceatthefirstrestartafterthebeginningofthethirdperiod.

d.Ifthesecondinjurytime-outistakenattheconclusionofthethirdperiod,theopponentshallhavethechoiceofanyoneofthethreestartingpositionsatthebeginningofthesuddenvictoryperiod.

e.Ifthesecondinjurytime-outistakenanytimeduringthesuddenvictoryperiod,theopponentshallhavethechoiceoftop,bottomorneutralpositionontherestart.

f.Ifthesecondinjurytime-outistakenattheconclusionofthesuddenvictoryperiod,theopponentshallhavethechoiceofeithertoporbottompositionatthestartofboth30-secondtiebreakerperiods.

g.Ifthesecondinjurytime-outistakenattheconclusionofthefirst30-secondtiebreakerperiod,theopponentshallhavethechoiceofeithertoporbottompositionatthestartofthesecond30-secondtiebreakerperiod.

h.Ifthesecondinjurytime-outistakenattheconclusionofthefirst30-secondtiebreakerperiodandtheopponentalreadyhasthechoiceatthebeginningofthesecond30-secondtiebreakerperiod,theopponentwouldthenhavetheaddedchoiceatthefirstrestartafterthebeginningofthesecond30-secondtiebreakerperiod.

i.Ifthesecondinjurytime-outoccursattheconclusionofthesecond30-secondtiebreakerperiodunlessanopponenthasreceivedanunsportsmanlikeconductpenaltyatanytimeduringthematch,theopponentshallhavethechoiceoftoporbottompositionatthestartoftheultimatetiebreakerperiod.

j.Ifthesecondinjurytime-outoccursduringeitherofthe30-secondtiebreakerperiodsorduringtheultimatetiebreakerperiod,theopponentshallhavethechoiceoftoporbottompositiononthe

restart.

Athirdinjurytime-outshallterminatethematch.Theopponentshallbedeclaredthewinnerbydefault.

Timerequiredtocorrectillegalequipmentiscountedasinjurytime.Timeusedtorecoverand/orreplaceacontactlensmaybechargedagainstacontestant’sinjurytimeandcountasaninjurytime-outiftherefereedeterminesthatthisdisruptstheflowofthematch.

NOTE:Takinganinjurytime-outforanon-injurysituationisunethical.(SeeCoachesCodeofEthics,inAppendixE.)

ART.2...Ifacontestantisinjuredasaresultofanillegalhold/maneuver,unnecessaryroughnessorunsportsmanlikeconduct(duringthematch)totheextentthecontestantisunabletocontinuefollowingamaximumoftwominutesrecoverytime,thecontestantshallbeawardedthematchbydefault.Incaseofanintentionalattempttoinjureanopponent,theoffendershallbepenalizedforflagrantmisconduct.Recoverytimeforinjurybecauseofanillegalhold/maneuverisnotdeductedfromtheinjuredwrestler’sinjury-timeallowanceandcoachingisallowed.Acontestantcannottakeinjurytimeimmediatelyfollowingrecoverytime.

ART.3...Ifawrestlerisaccidentallyinjuredandisunabletocontinuethematch,theopponentshallbeawardedthematchbydefault.

ART.4...Anycontestantwhoexhibitssigns,symptomsorbehaviorsconsistentwithaconcussion(suchaslossofconsciousness,headache,dizziness,confusionorbalanceproblems)shallbeimmediatelyremovedfromthematchandshallnotreturntocompetitionuntilclearedbyanappropriatehealth-careprofessional.(SeeNFHSSuggestedGuidelinesforManagementofConcussioninSports,inAppendixB.)

ART.5...Adesignated,on-site,appropriatehealth-careprofessionalwhodeterminesawrestlershouldnotparticipate,shallnotbeoverruled.

ART.6...Duringatime-outforinjury,nomorethantwoteamattendantsandappropriatehealth-careprofessionalsshallbepermittedonthematwitheitherwrestler.

ART.7...Anycontestantwhoisbleedingwillbechargedwithbloodtime.Thenumberoftime-outsforbleedingislefttothediscretionofthereferee.Ifbleedingisnotstoppedwithinacumulativetimeoffiveminutes,thematchshallbeterminatedandtheopponentshallbeawardedthematchbydefault.

Ifbleedingoccursasaresultofunsportsmanlikeconduct,illegalholds/maneuversorunnecessaryroughnessandthebleedingcontestantuses5minutesofbloodtime,theinjuredwrestlerwillbethewinnerofthecontestbydefault.

Anycleanupnecessaryafterthebleedinghasbeenstoppedisnotcountedagainstthemaximumtimelimitof5minutes.

ART.8...Thematchshallbestoppedforanywrestlerwhoisbleeding,hasanopenwound,hasanyamountofbloodontheiruniform,orhasbloodonthemselves,shallbedirectedtobetreateduntilthe

bleedingisstopped,thewoundiscovered,theuniformand/orbodyisappropriatelycleaned,and/ortheuniformischangedbeforereturningtocompetition.(SeeNFHSCommunicableDiseaseProcedures,inAppendixD.)

Rule9Scoring

SECTION1INDIVIDUALMATCHSCORING

ART.1...Matchscoringshallbekeptinplainviewofspectators,contestantsandcoaches.Itisstronglyrecommendedavisiblematchtimingdevicebeused.

ART.2...Whenatakedownissecured,thewrestlershallbeawardedtwomatchpoints.

ART.3...Whenthedefensivewrestlerearnsanescape,onepointisawarded.

ART.4...Thedefensivewrestler,whohasearnedareversal,isawardedtwopoints.

ART.5...Thewrestlerintheadvantagepositionisawardedtwopointswhennear-fallcriteriaismetfortwosecondsorifthedefensivewrestlerisinjuredorbleedingoccursjustpriortonear-fallcriteriaoftwosecondsismet.Whenthecriteriaismetforfiveseconds,orifthedefensivewrestlerisinjuredorbleedingoccursafternear-fallcriteriahasbeenmetfortwoseconds,a3-pointnearfallshallbeawarded.Ifthedefensivewrestlerisinjuredorbleedingoccursaftera3-pointnearfallhasbeenearned,a4-pointnearfallshallbeawarded.Avisualhandcount,todeterminethetime,shallbeusedwhenfeasible.

SUMMARYOFSCORING

IndividualMatch TournamentTakedown 2pts. Fall 2pts.Escape 1pt. Default 2pts.Reversal 2pts. Forfeit. 2pts.NearFall 2,3or4pts. Disqualification. 2pts.

DualMeet AdvancementFall 6pts. ChampionshipBracket 2pts.Forfeit. 6pts. ConsolationBracket 1pt.Default 6pts. TechnicalFall 1½pts.Disqualification. 6pts. MajorDecision(8-14) 1pt.TechnicalFall 5pts. Byefollowedbyawin:MajorDecision(8-14) 4pts. ChampionshipBracket 2pts.Decision(byfewerthan8pts.) 3pts. ConsolationBracket 1pt.

ART.6...PenaltypointsshallbeawardedinaccordancewiththePenaltyChart.

ART.7...Adecisionisearnedbythewrestlerwhohasscoredthegreaternumberofpoints,asprovidedbytheindividualmatchscoringsystem,ifnofallhasresultedduringthematch.Ifthe

winner’sscoreexceedstheloser’sscorebyfewerthan8points,itisaregulardecision;andifthemarginisfrom8to14points,itisamajordecision.Ifthemarginis15pointsormoreitisatechnicalfall.

ART.8...Ifnoscoringoccursinthe30-secondultimatetiebreaker,theoffensivewrestlerwillbedeclaredthewinner.Onematchpointwillbeaddedtotheoffensivewrestler’sscoretodeterminethefinalmatchscore.

SECTION2TEAMSCORING

ART.1...Indual-meetcompetition,scoringisbasedupontheresultsofeachindividualmatchasfollows:

a.foreachmatchwonbydefault,disqualification,fallorforfeit,sixpointsshallbeaddedtotheteam’stotal;b.foratechnicalfall,fivepointsshallbeaddedtotheteamscore;c.foramajordecision,fourpointsshallbeaddedtotheteamscoreandforaregulardecision,threepointsshallbeadded;d.Adoubleforfeitisconsideredasnopointsforeithercontestantandnopointsforeitherteam.

e.Ateamforfeitshallbescored1to0;iftheoffendedteamisahead,thescorestands.

ART.2...Indual-meetcompetition,ifteamshaveidenticalscores,thefollowingteamtiebreakingsystemshallbeusedtodeterminethewinner.

a.Theteamwhoseopposingwrestlersorteampersonnelhasbeenpenalizedthegreaternumberofteampointsforflagrantmisconductorunsportsmanlikeconductshallbedeclaredthewinner.

b.Theteamwhoseopposingheadcoachhasbeenpenalizedthegreaternumberofteampointsforcoachmisconductshallbedeclaredthewinner.

c.Theteamwhoseopposingwrestlerswerepenalizedthegreaternumberofmatchpointsforunsportsmanlikeconductduringamatchshallbedeclaredthewinner.

d.Theteamhavingwonthegreaternumberofmatches(includingforfeits)shallbedeclaredthewinner.

e.Theteamhavingaccumulatedthegreatertotalnumberoffalls,defaults,forfeitsanddisqualificationsshallbedeclaredthewinner.

f.Theteamhavingthegreaternumberoftechnicalfallsshallbedeclaredthewinner.

g.Theteamhavingthegreaternumberofmajordecisionsshallbedeclaredthewinner.

h.Theteamhavingthegreaternumber(totalmatchpoints)offirst-point(s)scoredshallbedeclaredthewinner.

i.Theteamhavingthegreaternumberofpointsfornear-fallsshallbedeclaredthewinner.

j.Theteamhavingthegreaternumberoftakedownsshallbedeclaredthewinner.

k.Theteamhavingthegreaternumberofreversalsshallbedeclaredthewinner.

l.Theteamhavingthegreaternumberofescapesshallbedeclaredthewinner.

m.Theteamwhoseopponenthasbeenpenalizedthegreaternumberofpointsforstallingshallbedeclaredthewinner.

n.Theteamwhoseopponenthasbeenwarnedmoreoftenforstallingshallbedeclaredthewinner.

o.Theteamwhoseopponenthasthegreaternumberofpenaltiesforallotherinfractions(i.e.falsestarts)shallbedeclaredthewinner.

p.Ifnoneoftheaboveresolvesthetie,aflipofadiskwilldeterminethewinner.

Upondeterminingthewinningteambyuseofthetiebreakingsystem,asingleteampointshallbeaddedtotheprevailingteam.Themethodofrecordingthescoreinbreakingteamtiesshallbethescorefollowedbytheletterofthecriterionthatbrokethetie(e.g.TeamA-16;TeamB-17,criterione).

TOURNAMENTTEAMSCORING

FourPlaces SixPlaces EightPlaces1. 14pts. 16pts. 16pts.2. 10pts. 12pts. 12pts.3. 7pts. 9pts. 9pts.4. 4pts. 7pts. 7pts.5. 5pts. 5pts.6. 3pts. 3pts.7. 2pts.8. 1pt.

ART.3...Intournaments,individualplacementpointsshallbeawardedassoonasearned.Placementpointsalreadyearnedshallbedeductedincaseofforfeit(otherthaninjury)ordisqualificationfromthetournament.Pointsforteamscoringshallbeawardedasfollows:

a.Twoteamadvancementpointsshallbescoredforeachmatchwoninthechampionshipbracket,exceptforthefirst-placematch.Awrestlerwhoreceivesabyeinaroundwhereatleastonematchiswrestledshallbeawardedtwoadvancementpointsbywinningthenextmatch.Nopointsareawardedforthebyeifthewrestlerlosesthenextmatch;b.Oneteamadvancementpointshallbescoredforeachmatchwonintheconsolationelimination,exceptforthefinalthird-,fifth-andseventh-placematches.Awrestlerwhoreceivesabyeinaroundwhereatleastonematchiswrestledshallreceiveoneadvancementpoint,providedthewrestlerwinsthenextroundmatch;c.Twoadditionalpointsshallbescoredforeachmatchwonbydefault,disqualification,fallorforfeitthroughoutthetournament;d.Oneandone-halfadditionalpointsshallbescoredforeachmatchwonbyatechnicalfall;e.Oneadditionalpointshallbeawardedforeachmatchwonbyamajordecision;f.Intournamentsscoringfourplaces,thewinnerofeachchampionshipsemifinalshallbeawarded10placepointsandthewinnerofeachchampionshipfinalshallbeawardedfouradditionalplacepoints.Thewinnerofeachconsolationsemifinalshallreceivefourplacepointsandthewinnerofthirdplaceshallreceivethreeadditionalplacepoints;g.Intournamentsscoringsixplaces,thewinnerofeachchampionshipquarterfinalshallbeawardedthreeplacepoints,thewinnerofeachchampionshipsemifinalshallbeawardednine

additionalplacepointsandthewinnerofeachchampionshipfinalshallbeawardedfouradditionalplacepoints.Thewinnerofthequarterfinalconsolationmatchshallreceivethreeplacepoints.Thewinneroftheconsolationsemifinalsshallreceivefouradditionalplacepoints.Thewinnerofthirdplaceandthewinneroffifthplaceshallreceivetwoadditionalplacepoints.

h.Intournamentsscoringeightplaces,thewinnerofeachchampionshipquarterfinalshallbeawardedthreeplacepoints;thewinnerofeachchampionshipsemifinalshallbeawardednineadditionalplacepoints;andthewinnerofeachchampionshipfinalshallbeawardedfouradditionalplacepoints.Allwinnerswhoreachthequarterfinalconsolationshallbeawardedoneplacepoint.Thewinnerofthequarterfinalconsolationmatchshallreceivetwoadditionalplacepoints.Thewinneroftheconsolationsemifinalsshallreceivefouradditionalplacepoints.Thewinnerofthirdplaceandthewinneroffifthplaceshallreceivetwoadditionalplacepoints.Thewinnerofseventhplaceshallreceiveanadditionalplacepoint.

Rule10IndividuallyBracketedTournaments

SECTION1AUTHORIZATION

ART.1...Tournamentsconductedbystatehighschoolassociationsforqualificationtothestatehighschoolchampionshipsandthechampionshipsthemselvesshallbedeterminedbytheindividualorganization.Eachstatehighschoolassociationisprivilegedtoconductthosetournamentsasbestsuitsitsneeds.ThisauthorizationappliestoRule10and11only.

ART.2...Videorecordingisauthorizedunlessprohibitedbythestatehighschoolassociation.

SECTION2ENTRIES

ART.1...Failuretoverifyentriesbyastipulateddeadlineorbythecompletionofweigh-inshallresultindisqualificationfromatournament.Ifastipulateddeadlinehasnotbeenpredetermined,thedeadlineshallbethecompletionofweigh-ins.

ART.2...Wrestlersshallbepermittedamaximumoffiveminutestoappearreadytocompeteataspecifiedmat.Failuretoappearshallresultinforfeittotheopponent.

ART.3...Defeatduetoinjuryinatournamentdoesnoteliminateacontestantfromfurthercompetition.

ART.4...Incaseofinjuryorillnessafterverificationofentries,thetournamentdirector,inconsultationwiththedesignated,on-siteappropriatehealth-careprofessional(s)andthecoachoftheinjuredorillcontestant,shalldeterminethecontestant’sabilitytocontinue.Extenuatingcircumstancesconcerningtheinjuryorillnessasitrelatestodefaultorforfeitforscoringpurposes,shallbeconsideredbythetournamentdirector.

ART.5...Aforfeitshalleliminateacontestantfromfurthercompetitioninatournament,exceptwhentheforfeitisbecauseofaninjuryorillnesswhichoccurredduringthetournament.

ART.6...Adisqualificationmayeliminateacontestantfromfurthercompetitioninatournament,dependingonitsseverity.

ART.7...AnywrestlerwhofailstomakeweighteachdayofatournamentisineligibleforfurthercompetitionandcannotplaceinthetournamentexceptasprovidedinArticle4ofthissection.Aforfeitshallbeawardedtotheopponent.

ART.8...Allvacanciescreatedinthetournamentpairingsafterthefirstroundshallbescoredasforfeits.

ART.9...Iftwowrestlersinthechampionshipbracketsimultaneouslycannotcontinuethematchduetobothbeingdisqualifiedforstallingorhavingtheirinjuryorbloodtimeelapse,thewrestlerwhoisleadingonpointsatthetimethematchisterminatedwillcontinueintheconsolationbracket.Ifthematchistiedatthetimeoftermination,thewrestlerwhoscoredthefirstpoint(s)inthematch(firstthreeperiods,orfirstorsecond30-secondtiebreaker)willcontinueintheconsolationbracket.Ifnopointswerescored,neitherwrestlerwillcontinue.

SECTION3TOURNAMENTBRACKETS

ART.1...Whenthenumberofcompetitorsisnotapowerof2,thatis4,8,16,32and64,thereshallbebyesinthefirstround.Thenumberofbyesshallbeequaltothedifferencebetweenthenumberofcompetitorsandthenexthigherpoweroftwo.

ART.2...Thereshallbenobyesafterthefirstroundofcompetitioninboththechampionshipandconsolationbrackets,andnofurtherdrawingisnecessaryforchampionshiporconsolationrounds.

ART.3...Whenbyesarerequiredforthefirstround,theyshallbeplacedbymutualconsentordrawnsotheyaredistributedevenlythroughoutthebracket.

ART.4...Noquarter-bracketorhalf-bracketshallhavemorethanonebyeinexcessofitspairedbracket.

ART.5...Afterseededwrestlershavebeenplacedinthebracketandthebyesdrawn,remainingwrestlersshallbeplacedbydraw.

ART.6...Intournaments,consolationroundsmaystartwithcontestantswhoweredefeatedbythewinnersofeachfirst-roundmatches.Attheconclusionofthechampionshipsemifinals,thelosersofthosesemifinalsmaybecross-bracketedintotheconsolationsemifinals.

NOTE:Thisisdependentonthetournamentbracketfollowplan.

ART.7...Intournaments,consolationroundsmaystartamongallcontestantsdefeatedbythewinnerofeachquarterfinalmatch.Attheconclusionofthechampionshipsemifinals,thelosersofthosesemifinalsmaybecross-bracketedintotheconsolationsemifinals.

NOTE:Thisisdependentonthetournamentbracketfollowplan.

ART.8...Intournamentsinwhichfourplacesarescored,theconsolationroundmaystartamongallcontestantsdefeatedbythewinnerofeachsemifinalmatch.

ART.9...Consolationmatchestodeterminethirdplaceandsubsequentplacesmaybeconductedinaccordancewiththeoriginalfirstrounddrawings.Thoseeligibleforthirdplaceconsolationshouldbematchedintheorderinwhichtheyweredefeatedbythewinnersinthequarter-bracket,orinthesemifinalbracket.

ART.10...Intheeventtwowrestlers,whohavecompetedagainsteachotherpreviouslyinthetournament,arepairedagainduetothecross-bracketing,thematchesshallbewrestledandscoredasifthewrestlershadnotpreviouslymet.

SECTION4RECOMMENDEDGRAPHICILLUSTRATIONS

Rule11TeamAdvancementTournaments

SECTION1ENTRIES

ART.1...Eventadministrationisresponsibleforestablishingweigh-intimeswithintheguidelinesprescribedinRule4-5.If,however,thereisadifferenceinthetimethatteamsbegincompetition,weigh-insfortheteamsstartinglatermaybeadjustedinrelationtothelaterstartingtime.

ART.2...Failuretoverifyentriesbyastipulateddeadlineorbythecompletionofweigh-insforthatteamshallresultindisqualificationfromatournament.Ifastipulateddeadlinehasnotbeenpredetermined,thedeadlineshallbethecompletionofweigh-insforeachteam.

ART.3...Alluncontestedweightclassesinateam’slineupduetonothavingawrestlerenteredinthatweightclassshallberecordedasforfeits.

ART.4...Inateamadvancementtournamentthatdoesnotevolveintoanindividuallybracketedtournamentand/ordoesnotrewardindividualaccomplishments,morethanonewrestlerinaweightclassmaybeweighedinbyateamandsubstitutionsfromonedualmeettothenextarepermissibleand/orawrestlerwhoweighsinforoneweightclassmaybeshiftedtothenexthigherweightclass,provideditisnotmorethanoneweightclassabovethatforwhichtheactualweightqualifiesthatwrestler.

NOTE:Allwrestlersmustweigh-ineachdayofthemultiple-dayeventandtheymustweigh-inatthesameweightclasseachdayoftheevent.Awrestlerisonlyeligiblefortwoweightclassesduringamultiple-day,team-advancementtournament,andthosetwoweightclassesaredeterminedatthefirstdayweigh-inandcannotchangeduringtheremainderoftheevent.

ART.5...Failuretoappearreadytowrestleonthemat,defeatduetoinjury,disqualificationsandfailuretomakeweighteachdayofthetournamentapplythesameasinRules10-2-2,10-2-3,10-2-6and10-2-7.

SECTION2TEAMSCORING

ART.1...Inteamadvancementtournaments,scoringisbasedupontheresultsofeachindividualmatchasinRule9-2-1.

ART.2...Inteamadvancementtournaments,flagrantmisconductbyacontestantresultsindisqualification.Onthefirstoffense,deductthreeteampointsandremovefrompremisesimmediatelyforthedurationofthetournament.Contestantiseliminatedfromfurthercompetitionfortheremainderofthetournamentandnoteampointscanbeearnedinthecurrentround;however,teampointsearnedinpreviousroundsarenotlost.

ART.3...Ifteamshaveidenticalscores,theteamtie-breakingsystemfoundinRule9-2-2shallbeusedtodeterminethewinnerinordertodeterminewhichteamadvancesinthebracket.

ScoringSymbolsInordertoprovidebetterconsistencyinkeepingindividualmatchscores,theNFHSWrestlingRulesCommitteehasadoptedasetofscoringsymbolstobeusedbyscorekeepers.Properlyused,thesymbolswillprovidebothcoachesandrefereesarunningaccountofthematchbeingscored.Itis-importantthatscorersuseonlytheseauthorizedsymbols.

SCORINGSYMBOLS

Scorekeepersshallcirclethefirstpoint(s)scoredintheregulationmatch.

PenaltyChart(AvailableinPDFformatonWebsite-www.nfhs.org)

Rule Warning FirstPenalty

SecondPenalty

ThirdPenalty

FourthPenalty

IllegalHolds/ManeuversTechnicalViolationsStalling*(plusopponentwillhavechoiceofpositiononthenextrestart)UnnecessaryRoughnessUnsportsmanlikeConductby      ContestantsDuringaMatchNotReportingtoScorer'sTable      ProperlyEquipped

7-17-3

7-67-4-17-4-2

8-1-1

NoNo

YesNoNo

No

1Pt. 1Pt. *2Pts. Disqualify

FalseStartorIncorrectStartingPosition 8-1-3 Followingtwocautionsthereisa1-pointpenaltyforeachsubsequentinfraction

CoachMisconduct(duringthematch) 5-56-6-67-5-48-1-5

Yes Deduct1TeamPoint

Removalofheadcoachfrompremisesimmediatelyonsecondpenaltyanddeduct2teampoints.Removalisfortheremainderoftheday.

UnsportsmanlikeConduct-Contestants(notduringthematch),CoachesandOtherTeamPersonnel

7-4-27-5-38-1-4

No Deduct1TeamPoint

Removefrompremisesimmediatelyonsecondpenaltyanddeduct2teampoints.Removalisfortheremainderoftheevent,day/dualmeetortournament.

Rule Warning FirstPenalty

FlagrantMisconduct-Contestants 7-4-38-1-6

No Disqualifyonfirstoffense,deduct3teampointsandremovefrompremisesimmediatelyforthedurationoftheevent.Contestantiseliminatedfromfurthercompetitionfortheremainderofadualmeet,multipleschooleventortournamentandnoteampointscanbeearnedinanindividualtournament.Indual-meetcompetition,anyteampointsearnedshallbenegated.

FlagrantMisconduct-CoachesandOtherTeamPersonnel

7-5-58-1-38-1-6

No Removefrompremisesimmediatelyonfirstoffenseanddeduct3teampoints.Removalisforthedualmeet,remainderofamultipleschooleventortournament.

GreasySubstanceonBodyorUniform,ImproperGrooming,ObjectionablePadsandBraces;IllegalEquipmentorUniform

7-3-58-1-1

Anycontestantreportingtothescorer'stableinviolationofthisarticleshallbedisqualifiedifnotremovedorcorrectedwithinthe11/2-minuteinjurytime.

SummaryofTechnicalViolationsGoingoutofWrestlingArea(Fleeing)(7-3-1)

Graspingclothing,Etc.(7-3-2)

Note1–Disqualificationduetotechnicalviolation,illegalhold/maneuver,stalling,unsportsmanlikeconductduringamatchorunnecessaryroughnessdoesnoteliminateacontestantfromfurthercompetitionintournaments.

InterlockingHands(7-3-3)

LeavingWrestlingAreaWithoutPermission(7-3-4)

ReportingtotheScorer'sTableNotProperlyEquippedorNotReadytoWrestle(7-3-5)

Disqualificationforunsportsmanlikeconductnotduringthematcheliminatesacontestantorcoachfortheremainderoftheevent.Disqualificationforflagrantmisconductwilldisqualifyanyindividualfortheremainderofamultipleschooleventortournament.Theyareremovedforthedurationoftheevent.Note2–Pointsforunnecessaryroughness,graspingclothing,lockinghandsorfleeingthematareawardedinadditiontopointsearned.

COMMENTSONTHE2014-15RULESCHANGESBADTIMECLARIFIED(5-1-1):Thecommitteeclarifiedwordingwithregardstobadtime.Thepreviousdefinitionofbadtimedidnotspecificallyincludethesituationswherethewrongwrestlerwasgivenchoiceofpositionatthestartofthesecond30-secondtiebreakerorthestartoftheultimatetiebreaker.

WRESTLERADVANCEMENTINABRACKETCLARIFIED(10-2-9):Thecurrentruleaddresseswhichwrestleradvancesintotheconsolationbracketwhenbothwrestlerssimultaneouslycannotcontinueinthechampionshipbracket.Thisrulechangefurtherclarifieswhichwrestlerwilladvanceintotheconsolationbracketwhenpointshavebeenscoredinthematch.

2014-15POINTSOFEMPHASIS

AVOIDINGWRESTLINGANDENCOURAGINGWRESTLINGINCENTEROFMAT

Goingoutofthewrestlingareabyeitherwrestlerorforcinganopponentoutofthewrestlingareaatanytimeasameansofavoidingwrestlingisatechnicalviolation(Rule7-3-1).Therearemanyoccasionswhenthishappensandnocallismadeorawrestleriscalledforstallingwhentheappropriatecallwouldbeatechnicalviolationforfleeingthemat.Therecanbenotechnicalviolationoffleeingthematifnear-fallpointshavebeenearned.

Onecommonscenariothatoccursisofteninitiatedfromtheoffensive/defensivestartingpositioninthecenterofthematwhenbothwrestlersworktheirwaytotheirfeetandtheactiongoesoutofbounds.Itcanbedifficulttodetermineiftheoffensivewrestlerispushingthedefensivewrestleroutofbounds,ifthedefensivewrestlingisrunningoutofboundstomakeitlookliketheoffensivewrestlerispushinghim/herout,orifitisaggressiveactionbybothwrestlers.Anothercommonscenarioiswhenonewrestlerhasasinglelegintheairneartheout-of-boundsline,andtheotherwrestlertriestojumporspinoutofthesituationandendsupoutofbounds.

Intheabovesituationsaswellassimilarsituationswhereawrestlermaybeusingtheedgeofthemattogetoutofasituation,judgmentisrequiredbytherefereewiththeprimaryquestionbeing“Wasthewrestlerwrestlingaggressivelyandtryingtostayinboundsorusingtheedgeofthematasameanstoavoidingwrestling?”Ifhe/shewasusingtheedgeofthematasameansofavoidingwrestling,atechnicalviolationshouldbecalled.Goodwrestlingactionrequiresbothwrestlerstomakeanhonestattempttostaywithinthewrestlingarea.

PREVENTINGFALSESTARTSFROMCREATINGINJURIES–PREVENTIVEOFFICIATING

Preventiveofficiatingmustbeoneveryreferee’smind.Oneareaofconcernisinjuriesthatoccurduringfalsestartsfromtheneutralposition.Toavoidsuchinjuries,therefereeshouldstretchhis/herarm(s)outbetweenandparalleltothestartinglinesbeforeblowingthewhistle.Bydoingso,therefereecanblockeitherwrestlerwhofalsestartspriortothewhistle,thusreducingthepotentialforinjurytooneorbothwrestlers.

AUTHORITY/RESPONSIBILITYOFTHEOFF-MATREFEREETOCALLFLAGRANT/UNSPORTSMANLIKECONDUCT

Thejurisdictiontimeoftherefereebeginswhenhe/shearrivesatthesiteofthecompetitionandconcludeswiththeapprovalofthescorebookindual-meetcompetitionandaftersigningtheboutsheetafterthelastmatchintournamentcompetition.Ineitherdualmeetsorindividualtournaments,whenarefereeisnotonthematworking,he/shestillhasjurisdictioninthematareaandresponsibilityforenforcingNFHSwrestlingrulesassociatedwiththematarea.Therefereeonthematisresponsibleforhis/hermatch,butotherrefereesinvolvedinthecompetitionshouldofferassistanceinthematareawhennecessary.Refereesareremindedthatjustbecausetheyarenotofficiatingamatch,theystillhaveresponsibilitiesforenforcementofrulesthatextendbeyondofficiatingamatch.

HAIRCOVERINGS

TheNFHSwrestlingrulesdefinespecialequipmentasanyequipmentwornthatisnotrequiredbyrule.Wheneverawrestlerhashairthatdoesnotconformtotherule,alegalhaircoveringmustbeworn.Becauseofthephysicalcontactinthesportofwrestling,hairthatdoesnotmeettheruleisconsideredasafetyissueasitmayposearisktoanopponent.Usingalegalhaircoveringforhairthatdoesnotmeettherulehelpstominimizetherisk.

Legalhaircoveringsmustbemadeofasolidmaterial,mustbenonabrasiveandmustbeattachedtothewrestlingearguards.Theattachedlegalhaircoveringmaybeworneitherinsideoroutsideofthewrestlingearguards.Theattachedlegalhaircoveringmustbebroughttoweigh-insandinspectedbytherefereetodeterminetheirconformitytopropergroomingwiththelegalhaircoveringon.Thelegalhaircoveringmustberemovedbeforethewrestlerweighsin.Iftherefereedoesnotconducttheweigh-ins,thentherefereemustcheckthelegalhaircoveringpriortothemeet.

Thegoalofwrestlingistohaveacontinualmatchwithoutinterruptionsexceptfornormalout-of-boundssituations,theendofperiods,etc.Legalhaircoveringsthataresecuredtothewrestlingearguardshavelessofachanceofcomingoffduringthematchthanhaircoveringsthatarenotsecuredtothewrestlingearguards.

Themanufacturersoflegalhaircoveringsandwrestlingearguardshavebeenalertedayearinadvanceofthisrulechangeandsomehavechosentomodifytheirlegalhaircoveringsaccordingly.Thisnewrulewillsignificantlyimprovethecontinuityofmatcheswheneverawrestlerisrequiredbyruletowearalegalhaircovering.

CLEANINGWRESTLINGMATSANDWRESTLINGEQUIPMENT

Communicablediseasesareamajorconcerninthesportofwrestling.ItisimperativethatALLschoolscontinuallyusebestpracticestocontrolthespreadofcommunicablediseases.Amajoraidinpreventingthespreadofcommunicablediseaseistoproperlycleanallwrestlingmatsandwrestlingequipment.

Practiceandcompetitionwrestlingmatsmustbecleanedpriortopracticingorcompetingonthem.Cleaningwrestlingmatspriortouseishighlyrecommended.Aneffectivedisinfectantisasolutionof1:100chlorinebleachandwater(¼cupchlorinebleachtoeachgallonofwater,or1tablespoonofchlorinebleachto2014-15NFHSWrestlingRulesPage60eachquartofwater).Thereisnoadvantageofusingastrongerchlorinebleachandwatersolutionthanwhatisrecommendedabove.Commercialdisinfectantproductsarealsoavailable.

Whencleaningwrestlingmats,itisbeneficialtowalkbackwardsinanefforttominimizecontaminationfromtheshoesoftheindividualwhoiscleaningthewrestlingmat.Besurethatanyproductusedstatesthatitiseffectiveagainstviruses,fungiandbacteria.Typically,thelabelwillstatethecleanerisbactericidal,fungicidalandvirucidal.Pleasefollowthelabeldirectionscloselyforthebesteffectiveness.

Severalitemsshouldbekeptatwrestlingmatsidetoeffectivelydealwithbloodorotherbodyfluids,includingdisposabletowelsand/orgauzepads,spraybottlescontaininga1:100chlorinebleachandwatersolutionoracommerciallyprepareddisinfectantsolution.Protectiveglovesanddisposableplasticbagsmustalsobereadilyavailabletocleanupbloodorbodilyfluids.

Likewise,itisimperativetocleanallwrestlingequipmentdaily.Allworkoutgearshouldbecleanedaftereachpractice.Thisincludestowels,clothing,headgear,shoes,kneepadsandanybagsusedtotransportthisequipment.Inadditiontocleaningwrestlingequipmentandwrestlingmatsproperly,afewbasicstepsmustbetakenbyallinvolvedinthesportinordertominimizetheriskofspreadingcommunicablediseases.

Educatecoaches,athletes,refereesandparentsaboutcommunicableskinconditionsandhowtheyarespread.Maintainproperventilationinthewrestlingroomtopreventthebuild-upofheatandhumidity.Emphasizetotheathletestheimportanceofshoweringimmediatelyaftereachpracticeandcompetitionwithantibacterialsoap.Washallworkoutclothingandpersonalgearaftereachpractice.Performdailyskincheckstoensureearlyrecognitionofpotentialcommunicableskinconditions.Athletescannotbeallowedtopracticeorcompeteifanactiveinfectionissuspected,eveniftheinfectioniscovered.Donotsharetowelsorpersonalhygieneproducts(razors)withothers.Refrainfromfullbody(chest,arms,abdomen)cosmeticshaving.

Communicablediseasesarepreventable.Followingthesestepscancertainlydecreasethechancethat

thesecommunicablediseaseswillbespreadamongtheathletesinthewrestlingroomand/orduringcompetition.

PhotoIllustrationsThefollowingillustrationsareimagesdemonstratingthecorrespondingrules.

1.(4-1-1)Thisisanexampleofalegaluniform.Theviewshowsthe4-inchinseamrequirementwithouttights.Themaximumlengthisabovetheknee.

2.(4-2-1)Hairstylethatconformstotherules.Itshallnotextendbelowtheearlobeonthesidesandmustbeabovethetopofanordinaryshirtcollarintheback.

3.(4-2-1)Thehair,initsnaturalstate,shallnotextendbelowtheeyebrowsinthefront.

4.(4-2-1)Hairmustbetakendown,ifnot,alegalhaircovershallbeworn.

5.(5-11-1)Thisrearviewshowsanexampleofawrestler’spinningarea.

6.(5-11-2)Afallornearfallisscoredwhenanypartofthebothscapulaareinboundsandtheshouldersareoveroroutsidetheboundaryline.

7.(5-11-2)Anearfallmaybescoredwhenthedefensivewrestlerisheldinahighbridgeoronbothelbows.

8.(5-11-2)Anearfallmaybescoredwhenthedefensivewrestlerisheldinahighbridgeoronbothelbows.

9.(5-14-2)Whenthedefensivewrestlerinapinningsituation,illegallyputspressureovertheopponent’smouth,nose,throatorneck,itshallbepenalized.

10.(5-14-2)Anyhold/maneuverovertheopponent’smouth,nose,throatorneckwhichrestrictsbreathingorcirculationisillegal.

11.(5-15-1)Contestantsareconsideredtobeinboundsifthesupportingpointsofeitherwrestlerareinsideoronbutnotbeyondtheboundarylines.

12.(5-19-4)Bothwrestlersmusthaveonefootonthegreenorredareaofthestartinglinesandtheotherfootonthelineorthelineextended,orbehindthefootontheline.

13.(5-19-5)Legalstartingposition.Theoffensivewrestlermusthaveatleastonekneeonthematatthenearsideandtheotherfootmaybebehindalineperpendiculartothedefensivewrestler’sfeet.

14.(5-19-5)Illegalstartingposition.Theoffensivewrestlerdoesnothaveanear-sidekneeonthemat.

15.(5-19-2,5-19-5)Legalstartingposition.Thedefensivewrestlermusthavebothkneesbehindtherearstartinglineandheelsofbothhandsinfrontoftheforwardstartingline.Theoffensivewrestlermustplacethepalmofonehandlooselyoverthedefensivewrestler’snavel,andtheirheadshallbeonorabovethemid-lineoftheopponent’sback.

16.(5-19-5)Legalstartingposition.Theoffensivewrestlermustplacethepalmoftheotherhandonoroverthebackoftheopponent’snearelbow.

17.(5-19-5)Illegalstartingpositionfortheoffensivewrestlerbecausetherightfoot(notonthenearside)isinfrontofthedefensiveman’sfeet.Youcannotstraddleyouropponent.

18.(5-19-5)Illegalstartingpositionfortheoffensivewrestler.Theoffensivewrestler’skneescannotbeincontactwiththeopponent.

19.(5-19-8)Theoffensivewrestlermustsignaltheintenttotherefereewhenusingtheoptionalstart.

20.(5-19-7)Whenusingtheoptionalstartthehandsmustbeonthebackwiththethumbstouching.

21&22.(5-22-1)Followingashoulderroll,thereisachangeofcontrolwhenthewrestlerwhowasontopisconcernedaboutbeingpinned.Theremaybecontrolwheneitherlegispickedup.Therefereeshouldbeginlookingforachangeofcontrolassoonaseitherlegandonearmaretrapped.

23.(5-25-1)Thisisatakedownregardlessofthebodylockbythewrestlerinthedarkuniform.

24.(5-25-1)Whenthispositionisobtainedbeyondreactiontimewithoneortwohandsbearingtheweightatakedownshallbeawarded.

25.(5-25-1)Thiscrotchliftdoesnotstopthetakedownbythewrestlerinthestripeduniform.

26.(5-25-1)Thisdoubleunderhookdoesnotstopthetakedownbythewrestlerinthestripeduniform.(Ifthewrestlerlockstheirhandsinthedoubleunderhook,itisanillegalhold/maneuver.)(7-1-5k)

27.(5-25-1)Thereiscontrolbythewrestlerontopeventhoughthehandsoftheopponentarelockedaroundaleg.Thetopwrestlerhastheopponentoffthebaseandishiptohip.

28.(5-25-1)Thereiscontrolbythewrestlerontopifthispositionisheldbeyondreactiontime,eventhoughthehandsoftheopponentarelockedaroundaleg.

29&30.(5-25-1)Inthesetwosituationswiththelegtrapped,thereiscontrolbythewrestlerontop.Thisisatakedown.

31.(5-25-2)Atakedownisscoredwhenthedefensivewrestler’slegsarecontrolledaboveorbelowthekneesandthemajorityofthewrestler’sweightissupportedbythehands.

32&33.(5-25-3)Atakedownisearnedwhenthefeetreturntothematimmediatelyasintheabovephotos.

34.(5-25-3)Thisisatakedown.Thekneescaneitherbeabovethematoronthemat.

35.(6-2-3)Intheneutralstarttherefereeshouldbeintightwhichwillhelptoeliminatefalsestartsandthenbackout.

36.(6-2-4)Whenstartingintheneutralposition,thefinger-touchstartwillbeusedandinitialcontactmadefromthefront.

37.(6-4-2)Whenneitherwrestlercanimprovetheirposition,itisastalemate.Ifthissituationoccursrepeatedly,theoffendingwrestlerwillbewarnedandthenpenalizedforstalling.

38,39&40.(7-1-5a)Thisdoubleunderhooksnapbackfromthestandingpositionisanillegalhold/maneuver.

41.(7-1-5b)Itisillegaltoapplypressureawayfromthebodyinahammerlock.

42.(7-1-5b)Intheillegalhammerlockshownherethearmisbentabovearightangle.

43.(7-1-5c)Thisisanillegaltwistinghammerlockbecausethearmisforcedawayfromthebody.

44.(7-1-5d)Whenthedefensivewrestlerreachesbackwithaheadlockontheoffensivewrestlerwithoutanarmencircled,itisanillegalhold/maneuver.

45.(7-1-5d)Thisisalegalmovebythedefensivewrestlerwhichplacespressureonthehead,similartothe¾nelson.

46.(7-1-5d)Thisheadlockisillegalbecausethearmisnotencircledatorabovetheelbow.

47.(7-1-5d)Thisislegalbecausethehandsarenotlockedaroundthehead.

48.(7-1-5d)Anylegalheadlockwithpotentialpressureacrossthemouth,nose,throatorneckispotentiallydangerous.

49.(7-1-5d)Illegalheadlockfromthefrontasthearmisnotencircled.

50.(7-1-5d)Illegalheadlock.

51.(7-1-5d)Thisheadlockisillegalasthearmisnotencircledabovetheelbow.

52.(7-1-5d)Legalheadlockwithelbowencircled.

53.(7-1-5d)Oncenear-fallcriteriaaremet,thisisalegalheadlock.

54.(7-1-5d)Whenalegalstandingfrontheadlock,withthearmencircledaboveorattheelbow,reachestheposition,themanonwhomitisappliedisindangerofbeinginjuredwhenthewrestlersgotothemat.Thehold/maneuverispotentiallydangerousandthematchshouldbestoppedatthispoint.

55.(7-1-5d)Thisheadlockisillegalbecausethearmisnotencircled.

56.(7-1-5d)Illegalfrontheadlockwithoutanarmencircled.

57.(7-1-5d)Thisisalegalhold/maneuvereventhoughthehandsarelockedaroundthehead.Pressureisontheheadbutnotaroundit.

58.(7-1-5d)Legalheadpry.Thetopwrestlercanusethispryaslongasitincludesthearmorshoulder.

59.(7-1-5e)Straightscissorsontheheadisillegal.Thematchshallbestopped.

60.(7-1-5f)Thefullnelsonisillegal.Thehandsareoverlappedbutnottouching.

61.(7-1-5f)Illegalfullnelsoneventhoughthehandsdonottouch.

62.(7-1-5f)Thefullnelsonfromthefrontisanillegalhold/maneuver.

63.(7-1-5f)Legal3/4nelsoncomingunderbotharms.NOTE:Couldbecomeanillegalhold/maneuver,ifpressureisonthethroatand/orcarotidartery.

64.(7-1-5f)Legal3/4nelsonunderonearmandovertheotherarm.

65.(7-1-5h)Illegaltwistingkneelock.Pressureisagainstnormalmovement.

66.(7-1-5i)Thekeylockisanillegalhold/maneuver.

67.(7-1-5j)Theoverheaddoublearmbarisillegal.

68.(7-1-5j)Illegaldoublearmbarfromthefront,withhandslockedontheback,eitheronthematoronthefeet.

69.(7-1-5j)Legaldoublearmbarfromthefront,handslockedunderthearmpit.

70.(7-1-5l)Theneckwrenchisanillegalhold/maneuver.Thisshallbestoppedimmediately.

71.(7-1-5l)Thegraspingofthechinonthisduckunderdoesnotinvolveatwistingmotion,therefore,itispotentiallydangerous.

72.(7-1-5l)Thisisanotherexampleofanillegalneckwrench.

73.(7-1-5n)Thisisalegallegblock.Thearmisusedtoblockthelegpriortogoingtothemat.Theopponent’slegcannotbe“cutout”byakick.

74.(7-1-5m)Thisfrontquarternelsonwiththechinwillcauseunduepressureontheneckandisillegal.

75.(7-1-5o)Legalfigurefouroftheleg.Nopressureagainstthekneejoint.

76.(7-1-5o)Theoverscissorsisillegalasshownwhenpressureisappliedagainstthejointcausinghyperextension.

77.(7-1-5p)Theheadpryisanillegalhold/maneuver.Itisdangerousbecausetheheadandneckareforcedbeyondnormalmovement.

78.(7-1-5p)Applyingpressuretotheelbowasillustratedisillegal.

79&80.(7-1-5p)Thedoublewristlockislegal(leftphoto)whentheforceisperpendicularandusedtoturntheopponent.Whentheforceisparalleltothelongaxisoftheopponent’sbody(rightphoto),thedoublewristlockisillegal.

81.(7-1-5p)Appliedpressureinthissituationislegal.Thedefensivewrestlercanbendtheelbow.

82.(7-1-5p)Illegalchickenwing.Pressureisparalleltolongaxis.

83.(7-1-5q)Thebackbowisillegalasillustratedbyapplicationwhenthepressureistowardthehead,whetherthedefensivewrestlerisonhis/herstomachorhip.

84.(7-1-5r)Thefigurefouraroundthebody,theheadorbothlegsisanillegalhold/maneuver.

85.(7-1-5r)Illegalfigurefouronthehead.

86.(7-1-5r)Thefigure-fouraroundtheheadisanillegalhold/maneuver.

87.(7-1-5r)Thefigurefouraroundonelegasshownisalegalhold/maneuver.

88.(7-1-5x)Illegalrear-standing,double-kneekickback.Thewrestlershallnotusethismaneuverinanattempttobringtheopponenttothemat.

89.(7-1-5)Thisdrapingheadscissorsislegalbecausethereisminimalpressureagainsttheheadorneckandthearmisincluded.

90.(7-1-5)Theheadlockislegalbutthepressureagainsttheneckandthroatmakesthisanillegalhold/maneuver.

91.(7-2-2)Thisheadlockispotentiallydangerousifadditionalactionisnotmadequickly.Therighthand/armofthedefenderislimpandisanindicatorthatthewrestlerisindistress.

92.(7-2-2)Thishead-and-armseriesisverysimilartothefrontheadlockfromthestandingposition.Thishold/maneuverispotentiallydangerousandthematchshouldbestoppedatthispoint.

93.(7-2-2)Thecombinationofalegalchickenwingandahalfnelsonbecomesapotentiallydangeroushold/maneuverwhenthedefensivewrestlerisunabletorollinthedirectionofthepressure.

94.(7-2-2)Thisstackispotentiallydangerous.Becauseofpossibleinjury,itmustbebrokenimmediately.

95.(7-2-2)Thisfrontbridgeispotentiallydangerousbecauseofthepossibilityofinjury.Itmustbebrokenimmediately.Sameforbackbridge.

96.(7-2-2)Legal,butpotentiallydangerousastheleftelbowismovedbeyondthenormalrange.

97.(7-2-2)Legal,butcouldbecomepotentiallydangerouswhenpressureisdiagonaltolongaxis.

98.(7-2-2)Thedoublearmbarintoastackisapotentiallydangeroussituation.Theoffensivewrestlershallbecautionedagainstbringingittoanillegalposition.

99.(7-2-2)Thesplitscissorsispotentiallydangerous.Therefereemaybreakittopreventinjury.

100.(7-2-2)Thisisapotentiallydangerousarmbarwhenthefararmisblockedandthebottomwrestlerisunabletoturn.

101&102.(7-2-2)Inthisarmbar/tightwaist,andarmbar1/2nelsonthedefensivewrestlerisdefenselessiftakentothemat.Iftherefereefeelsthereispotentialinjury,thenthematchmustbestoppedinordertoprotectthedefensivewrestler.

103.(7-3-3)Interlockingofhandsaroundbothlegsbytheoffensivewrestlerisatechnicalviolation.

104.(7-3-3)Thechestcradleislockedhandsaroundthebodyandisatechnicalviolation.

105&106.(7-3-3)Lockedhandsaroundthebodyisatechnicalviolationbytheoffensivewrestlerwhenthecontestantsareonthemat.Itisatechnicalviolationeitherwithorwithoutoneorbotharms.

WrestlingSignals

MissionStatementTheNationalFederationofStateHighSchoolAssociationsservesitsmembers,relatedprofessionalorganizationsandstudentsbyprovidingleadershipfortheadministrationofeducation-basedinterscholasticactivities,whichsupportacademicachievement,goodcitizenshipandequitableopportunity.

WeBelieve

Participationineducation-basedinterscholasticathleticsandperformingartsprograms:

Enricheseachstudent’seducationalexperience.Promotesstudentacademicachievement.Developsgoodcitizenshipandhealthylifestyles.Fostersinvolvementofadiversepopulation.Promotespositiveschool/communityrelations.Isaprivilege.

TheNFHS:

Promotesandprotectsthedefiningvaluesofeducation-basedinterscholasticactivityprogramsincollaborationwithitsmemberstateassociations.Servesastherecognizednationalauthorityoneducation-basedinterscholasticactivityprograms.Servesasthepre-eminentauthorityoncompetitionrulesforeducation-basedinterscholasticactivityprograms.Promotesfairplayandseekstominimizeriskforstudentparticipantsthroughtheadoptionofnationalcompetitionrulesanddeliveryofprogramsandservices.Deliversqualityeducationalprogramstoservethechangingneedsofstateassociations,schooladministrators,coaches,officials,studentsandparents.ProvidesprofessionaldevelopmentforNFHSmemberstateassociationstaffbelievingthatcooperationamongstateassociationsadvancestheirindividualandcollectivewell-being.

SuggestedGuidelinesforManagementofConcussioninSportsAconcussionisatraumaticbraininjurythatinterfereswithnormalbrainfunction.Anathletedoesnothavetoloseconsciousness(be“knockedout”)tohavesufferedaconcussion.

CommonSignsandSymptomsofConcussionInclude:

AppearsdazedorstunnedIsconfusedaboutassignmentorpositionForgetsaninstructionIsunsureofgame,scoreoropponentMovesclumsilyAnswersquestionsslowlyLosesconsciousness(evenbriefly)Showsmood,behaviororpersonalitychangesCan'trecalleventspriortohitorfallCan'trecalleventsafterhitorfallHeadachesor"pressure"inheadNauseaorvomitingBalanceproblemsordizzinessDoubleorblurryvisionSensitivitytolightSensitivitytonoiseFeelingsluggish,hazy,foggyorgroggyConcentrationormemoryproblemsConfusionDoesnot"feelright"oris"feelingdown"

SuggestedConcussionManagement:

1. Noathleteshouldreturntoplay(RTP)orpracticeonthesamedayofaconcussion.2. Anyathletesuspectedofhavingaconcussionshouldbeevaluatedbyanappropriatehealth-care

professionalthatday.3. Anyathletewithaconcussionshouldbemedicallyclearedbyanappropriatehealth-care

professionalpriortoresumingparticipationinanypracticeorcompetition.4. Aftermedicalclearance,RTPshouldfollowastep-wiseprotocolwithprovisionsfordelayedRTP

baseduponreturnofanysignsorsymptomsatrest,whiledoingschoolworkorwithphysicalactivity.

Forfurtherdetailspleaseseethe“NFHSSuggestedGuidelinesforManagementofConcussion”atwww.nfhs.org.

RevisedandApprovedOctober2013

EquipmentGuidelines1.EachNFHSsportsrulescommitteeisresponsibleforrecommendingtheofficialplayingrulestotheNFHSBoardofDirectorsforadoption.Thecommitteeisnotresponsiblefortestingorapprovingplayingequipmentforuseininterscholasticsports.Equipmentmanufacturershaveundertakentheresponsibilityforthedevelopmentofplayingequipmentthatmeetsthespecificationsestablishedbythecommittee.TheNFHSurgesmanufacturerstoworkwiththevariousindependenttestingagenciestoensuretheproductionofsafeproducts.NeithertheNFHSnortheapplicableNFHSsportrulescommitteecertifiesthesafetyofanysportequipment.OnlyequipmentthatmeetsthedimensionsandspecificationsintheNFHSsportrulesmaybeusedininterscholasticcompetition.Whilethecommitteedoesnotregulatethedevelopmentofnewequipmentanddoesnotsettechnicalorscientificstandardsfortestingequipment,thecommitteemay,fromtimetotime,providemanufacturerswithguidanceastotheequipment-performancelevelsitconsidersconsistentwiththeintegrityofthegame.Thecommitteereservestherighttointercedetoprotectandmaintainthatintegrity.

2.EachNFHSsportrulescommitteesuggeststhatmanufacturersplanninginnovativechangesinsportsequipmentsubmittheequipmenttotheapplicableNFHSsportrulescommitteeforreviewbeforeproduction.

GeneralGuidelinesforSportsHygiene,SkinInfectionsandCommunicableDiseasesProperprecautionsareneededtominimizethepotentialriskofthespreadofcommunicablediseaseandskininfectionsduringathleticcompetition.Theseconditionsincludeskininfectionsthatoccurduetoskincontactwithcompetitorsandequipment.ThetransmissionofinfectionssuchasMethicillin-ResistantStaphylococcusaureus(MRSA)andHerpesGladiatorum,blood-bornepathogenssuchasHIVandHepatitisB,andotherinfectiousdiseasessuchasInfluenzacanoftenbegreatlyreducedthroughproperhygiene.TheNFHSSMAChasoutlinedandlistedbelowsomegeneralguidelinesforthepreventionofthespreadofthesediseases.

UniversalHygieneProtocolforAllSports

Showerimmediatelyaftereverycompetitionandpractice.Washallworkoutclothingaftereachpractice.Washpersonalgear(kneepadsandbraces)weekly.Donotsharetowelsorpersonalhygieneproducts(razors)withothers.Refrainfromfullbody(chest,arms,abdomen)cosmeticshaving.

InfectiousSkinDiseases

Strategiesforreducingthepotentialexposuretotheseinfectiousagentsinclude:

Athletesmustbetoldtonotifyaparentorguardian,athletictrainerandcoachofanyskinlesionpriortoanycompetitionorpractice.Anappropriatehealth-careprofessionalshouldevaluateanyskinlesionbeforereturningtocompetition.Ifanoutbreakoccursonateam,especiallyinacontactsport,allteammembersshouldbeevaluatedtohelppreventthepotentialspreadoftheinfection.Coaches,officialsandappropriatehealth-careprofessionalsmustfollowNFHSorstate/localguidelineson“timeuntilreturntocompetition.”ParticipationwithacoveredlesionmaybeconsideredifinaccordancewithNFHS,stateorlocalguidelinesandthelesionisnolongercontagious.

Blood-BorneInfectiousDiseases

StrategiesforreducingthepotentialexposuretotheseagentsincludefollowingUniversalPrecautionssuchas:

Anathletewhoisbleeding,hasanopenwound,hasanyamountofbloodonhis/heruniform,orhasbloodonhis/herperson,shallbedirectedtoleavetheactivity(gameorpractice)untilthebleedingisstopped,thewoundiscovered,theuniformand/orbodyisappropriatelycleaned,and/ortheuniformischangedbeforereturningtoactivity.Athletictrainersorothercaregiversneedtowearglovesandtakeotherprecautionstopreventbloodorbodyfluid-splashfromcontaminatingthemselvesorothers.Intheeventofabloodorbodyfluid-splash,immediatelywashcontaminatedskinormucousmembraneswithsoapandwater.Cleanallcontaminatedsurfacesandequipmentwithdisinfectantbeforereturningtocompetition.Be

suretousegloveswhencleaning.Anybloodexposureorbitestotheskinthatbreakthesurfacemustbereportedandimmediatelyevaluatedbyanappropriatehealth-careprofessional.

OtherCommunicableDiseases

Meansofreducingthepotentialexposuretotheseagentsinclude:

Appropriatevaccinationofathletes,coachesandstaffasrecommendedbytheCentersforDiseaseControl(CDC).Duringtimesofoutbreaks,followtheguidelinessetforthbytheCDCaswellasStateandlocalHealthDepartments.

Formoredetailedinformation,refertothe“Blood-BornePathogens,”“InfectiousMononucleosis”and“SkinConditionsandInfections”sectionscontainedintheNFHSSportsMedicineHandbook.

RevisedandApprovedinOctober2012

CoachesCodeofEthics

Thefunctionofacoachistoeducatestudentsthroughparticipationininterscholasticcompetition.Aninterscholasticprogramshouldbedesignedtoenhanceacademicachievementandshouldneverinterferewithopportunitiesforacademicsuccess.Eachstudentshouldbetreatedwiththeutmostrespectandhisorherwelfareshouldbeconsideredindecisionsbythecoachatalltimes.Accordingly,thefollowingguidelinesforcoacheshavebeenadoptedbytheNFHSBoardofDirectors.

Thecoachshallbeawarethatheorshehasatremendousinfluence,foreithergoodorill,ontheeducationofthestudentand,thus,shallneverplacethevalueofwinningabovethevalueofinstillingthehighestidealsofcharacter.

Thecoachshallupholdthehonoranddignityoftheprofession.Inallpersonalcontactwithstudents,officials,athleticdirectors,schooladministrators,thestatehighschoolathleticassociation,themedia,andthepublic,thecoachshallstrivetosetanexampleofthehighestethicalandmoralconduct.

Thecoachshalltakeanactiveroleinthepreventionofdrug,alcoholandtobaccoabuse.

Thecoachshallavoidtheuseofalcoholandtobaccoproductswhenincontactwithplayers.

Thecoachshallpromotetheentireinterscholasticprogramoftheschoolanddirecttheprograminharmonywiththetotalschoolprogram.

Thecoachshallmasterthecontestrulesandshallteachthemtohisorherteammembers.Thecoachshallnotseekanadvantagebycircumventionofthespiritorletteroftherules.

Thecoachshallexerthisorherinfluencetoenhancesportsmanshipbyspectators,bothdirectlyandbyworkingcloselywithcheerleaders,pepclubsponsors,boosterclubs,andadministrators.

Thecoachshallrespectandsupportcontestofficials.Thecoachshallnotindulgeinconductwhichwouldinciteplayersorspectatorsagainsttheofficials.Publiccriticismofofficialsorplayersisunethical.

Thecoachshouldmeetandexchangecordialgreetingswiththeopposingcoachtosetthecorrecttonefortheeventbeforeandafterthecontest.

Thecoachshallnotexertpressureonfacultymemberstogivestudentsspecialconsideration.

Thecoachshallnotscoutopponentsbyanymeansotherthanthoseadoptedbytheleagueand/orstatehighschoolathleticassociation.

OfficialsCodeofEthicsOfficialsataninterscholasticathleticeventareparticipantsintheeducationaldevelopmentofhighschoolstudents.Assuch,theymustexerciseahighlevelofself-discipline,independenceandresponsibility.ThepurposeofthisCodeistoestablishguidelinesforethicalstandardsofconductforallinterscholasticofficials.

Officialsshallmasterboththerulesofthegameandthemechanicsnecessarytoenforcetherules,andshallexerciseauthorityinanimpartial,firmandcontrolledmanner.

Officialsshallworkwitheachotherandtheirstateassociationsinaconstructiveandcooperativemanner.

Officialsshallupholdthehonoranddignityoftheprofessioninallinteractionwithstudent-athletes,coaches,athleticdirectors,schooladministrators,colleagues,andthepublic.

Officialsshallpreparethemselvesbothphysicallyandmentally,shalldressneatlyandappropriately,andshallcomportthemselvesinamannerconsistentwiththehighstandardsoftheprofession.

Officialsshallbepunctualandprofessionalinthefulfillmentofallcontractualobligations.

Officialsshallremainmindfulthattheirconductinfluencestherespectthatstudent-athletes,coachesandthepublicholdfortheprofession.

Officialsshall,whileenforcingtherulesofplay,remainawareoftheinherentriskofinjurythatcompetitionposestostudent-athletes.Whereappropriate,theyshallinformeventmanagementofconditionsorsituationsthatappearunreasonablyhazardous.

Officialsshalltakereasonablestepstoeducatethemselvesintherecognitionofemergencyconditionsthatmightariseduringthecourseofcompetition.

Officialsshallmaintainanethicalapproachwhileparticipatinginforums,chatroomsandallformsofsocialmedia.