starting, stopping & out of bounds wrestling rules interpretation meeting october 1, 2003

STARTING, STOPPING & STARTING, STOPPING & OUT OF BOUNDSOUT OF BOUNDS

Wrestling Rules Wrestling Rules Interpretation Interpretation

MeetingMeetingOctober 1, 2003October 1, 2003

STARTING THE MATCHSTARTING THE MATCH

The first period shall start with the wrestlers The first period shall start with the wrestlers in the neutral position.in the neutral position.

The wrestlers will shake hands and when the referee The wrestlers will shake hands and when the referee sounds his whistle, they shall begin wrestling. sounds his whistle, they shall begin wrestling.

If no fall occurs during the first period, the referee If no fall occurs during the first period, the referee shall begin the second period with the wrestler who shall begin the second period with the wrestler who has the choice selecting up, down, neutral or deferring has the choice selecting up, down, neutral or deferring the choice until the third period.the choice until the third period.

The wrestler who doesn’t have first choice, shall select The wrestler who doesn’t have first choice, shall select the top, bottom or neutral position.the top, bottom or neutral position.

NEUTRAL STARTING NEUTRAL STARTING POSITIONPOSITION

The neutral starting position The neutral starting position requires both contestants be requires both contestants be stationary and opposite each other stationary and opposite each other with one foot on the green or red with one foot on the green or red area of the starting lines and the area of the starting lines and the other foot on the line extended, or other foot on the line extended, or behind the foot on the line with no behind the foot on the line with no part of the body touching the mat in part of the body touching the mat in front of the lead foot.front of the lead foot.


In matches involving sight In matches involving sight handicapped wrestlers, the finger-handicapped wrestlers, the finger-touch method shall be used in the touch method shall be used in the neutral position and initial contact neutral position and initial contact shall be made from the front.shall be made from the front.

Contact is to be maintained Contact is to be maintained throughout the match.throughout the match.


When the referee starts the match When the referee starts the match from the neutral position, the wrestlers from the neutral position, the wrestlers will be between the referee and the will be between the referee and the scorer’s table.scorer’s table.

The referee will indicate to the wrestlers to The referee will indicate to the wrestlers to shake hands, look to the scorer’s table, give shake hands, look to the scorer’s table, give a hand signal as the whistle sounds, and then a hand signal as the whistle sounds, and then direct full attention to the match.direct full attention to the match.

The handshake prior to wrestling needs to be The handshake prior to wrestling needs to be a good handshake and not a hand slap.a good handshake and not a hand slap.

STOPPING & STOPPING & RESTARTING THE RESTARTING THE

MATCHMATCH When a supporting part of both When a supporting part of both

wrestlers is out of bounds, wrestling wrestlers is out of bounds, wrestling shall be stopped and wrestlers returned shall be stopped and wrestlers returned to the center of the mat and started to the center of the mat and started according to the position of each at the according to the position of each at the time they went out of bounds.time they went out of bounds.

If the wrestlers go out of bounds in the If the wrestlers go out of bounds in the neutral position, the match shall be neutral position, the match shall be resumed with each wrestler on his resumed with each wrestler on his designated green or red area.designated green or red area.


MATCHMATCH


MATCHMATCH It is a stalemate when:It is a stalemate when:

The contestants are interlocked in a position, The contestants are interlocked in a position, other than a pinning situation, in which other than a pinning situation, in which neither wrestler can improve the position.neither wrestler can improve the position.

Either competitor has hands locked around Either competitor has hands locked around one leg of the opponent to prevent scoring.one leg of the opponent to prevent scoring.

The referee shall, as soon as possible, stop The referee shall, as soon as possible, stop the match and wrestling shall be resumed as the match and wrestling shall be resumed as for out of bounds.for out of bounds.


MATCHMATCH


MATCHMATCH

If a wrestler is If a wrestler is injured due to injured due to legal or illegal legal or illegal action, the action, the referee shall stop referee shall stop the match.the match.


MATCHMATCH If the required protective ear guard is If the required protective ear guard is

misplaced, the referee is authorized to misplaced, the referee is authorized to stop the match as follows:stop the match as follows:

In the neutral position, when no takedown is in In the neutral position, when no takedown is in progress, the match may be stopped as soon as the progress, the match may be stopped as soon as the ear guard is displaced.ear guard is displaced.

If the wrestler is being placed at a disadvantage If the wrestler is being placed at a disadvantage because the misplaced ear guard is covering the eyes, because the misplaced ear guard is covering the eyes, nose, mouth or is causing choking, the match shall be nose, mouth or is causing choking, the match shall be stopped so that proper adjustment may be made.stopped so that proper adjustment may be made.

In all other situations, the referee shall stop the match In all other situations, the referee shall stop the match only when there is no significant action taking place.only when there is no significant action taking place.

It shall be started as following an out of bounds.It shall be started as following an out of bounds.


MATCHMATCH

When penalizing When penalizing either contestant, either contestant, the match will be the match will be stopped and stopped and restarted.restarted.

DEFENSIVE STARTING DEFENSIVE STARTING POSITIONPOSITION

The defensive wrestler’s starting The defensive wrestler’s starting position requires the wrestler to be at position requires the wrestler to be at the center of the circle stationary on the center of the circle stationary on his hands and knees so both knees are his hands and knees so both knees are on the mat behind and parallel to the on the mat behind and parallel to the rear starting line.rear starting line.

The heels of both hands shall be on the mat The heels of both hands shall be on the mat in front of the forward starting line.in front of the forward starting line.

The elbows shall not touch the mat.The elbows shall not touch the mat.

This position must also allow the offensive This position must also allow the offensive wrestler to be able to assume a legal starting wrestler to be able to assume a legal starting position on either side.position on either side.

DEFENSIVE STARTING DEFENSIVE STARTING POSITIONPOSITION

OFFENSIVE STARTING OFFENSIVE STARTING POSITIONPOSITION

The offensive wrestler’s starting position is The offensive wrestler’s starting position is one in which the wrestler is at the right or left one in which the wrestler is at the right or left side of the opponent with at least one knee side of the opponent with at least one knee on the mat on the near side of the opponent.on the mat on the near side of the opponent.

The near side is the one on which the offensive The near side is the one on which the offensive wrestler places the palm of the hand on or over the wrestler places the palm of the hand on or over the back of the elbow.back of the elbow.

The offensive wrestler’s head shall be on or above the The offensive wrestler’s head shall be on or above the spinal column of the opponent’s back.spinal column of the opponent’s back.

The other arm (right or left) is placed loosely around The other arm (right or left) is placed loosely around the defensive wrestler’s body, perpendicular to the the defensive wrestler’s body, perpendicular to the long axis of the body, with the palm of hand placed long axis of the body, with the palm of hand placed loosely over the defensive wrestler’s navel.loosely over the defensive wrestler’s navel.

A knee or foot shall be placed behind the defensive A knee or foot shall be placed behind the defensive wrestler’s feet.wrestler’s feet.

The offensive wrestler’s legs or feet shall not be in The offensive wrestler’s legs or feet shall not be in contact with the defensive wrestler.contact with the defensive wrestler.

OFFENSIVE STARTING OFFENSIVE STARTING POSITION - illegalPOSITION - illegal

OPTIONAL OFFENSIVE OPTIONAL OFFENSIVE STARTING POSITIONSTARTING POSITION

The offensive wrestler may use an The offensive wrestler may use an optional start, whereby he positions optional start, whereby he positions himself on either side or to the rear of himself on either side or to the rear of his opponent supporting all of his his opponent supporting all of his weight on both feet, one knee, or both weight on both feet, one knee, or both knees.knees.

He is to place his hands on his opponent’s He is to place his hands on his opponent’s back (area between neck and waist), thumbs back (area between neck and waist), thumbs touching, and only his hands are to be in touching, and only his hands are to be in contact with the defensive wrestler.contact with the defensive wrestler.

The offensive wrestler is not to place a foot, or The offensive wrestler is not to place a foot, or feet, or knee(s) between the opponent’s feet feet, or knee(s) between the opponent’s feet or legs, in front of the forward starting line or or legs, in front of the forward starting line or the line extended, nor straddle the opponent.the line extended, nor straddle the opponent.


If the offensive wrestler If the offensive wrestler selects the optional selects the optional starting position the starting position the wrestler must indicate wrestler must indicate this intent to the this intent to the referee.referee.

The referee shall then The referee shall then inform the defensive inform the defensive wrestler of the offensive wrestler of the offensive wrestler’s intentions.wrestler’s intentions.

If the defensive wrestler If the defensive wrestler is set prior to being is set prior to being informed readjustment informed readjustment can be made.can be made.


The referee shall direct the offensive man to assume his The referee shall direct the offensive man to assume his starting position once the defensive man is stationary in his starting position once the defensive man is stationary in his starting position.starting position.

When starting the contestants from the down position, the When starting the contestants from the down position, the referee may be in front of or behind the contestants.referee may be in front of or behind the contestants.

The referee should establish eye contact with the scorer’s The referee should establish eye contact with the scorer’s table and then give a hand signal as the whistle sounds and table and then give a hand signal as the whistle sounds and then direct full attention to the wrestlers.then direct full attention to the wrestlers.

The referee is to make certain that no one gets in a hurry The referee is to make certain that no one gets in a hurry and gains an advantage over the opponent.and gains an advantage over the opponent.

The referee needs to encourage contestants to wait for the The referee needs to encourage contestants to wait for the whistle.whistle.

It is extremely important that the contestants reach a It is extremely important that the contestants reach a stationary position prior to the referee starting the match.stationary position prior to the referee starting the match.


The defensive wrestler must first obtain The defensive wrestler must first obtain a legal position and then the offensive a legal position and then the offensive wrestler is to assume a legal position.wrestler is to assume a legal position.

The slow hand over the navel by the offensive The slow hand over the navel by the offensive wrestler should be eliminated, as well as the wrestler should be eliminated, as well as the offensive wrestler trying to outguess the referee offensive wrestler trying to outguess the referee as to when the match should be started.as to when the match should be started.

Both wrestlers should assume their position Both wrestlers should assume their position and, after they are stationary, the referee and, after they are stationary, the referee should start the match.should start the match.

OUT OF BOUNDSOUT OF BOUNDS

Contestants are considered to be Contestants are considered to be inbounds if the supporting parts of either inbounds if the supporting parts of either wrestler are inside the boundary lines.wrestler are inside the boundary lines.

A wrestler’s supporting points are the parts of A wrestler’s supporting points are the parts of the body touching, or within, the wrestling area the body touching, or within, the wrestling area which bear the wrestler’s weight, other than which bear the wrestler’s weight, other than those parts with which the wrestler is holding those parts with which the wrestler is holding the opponent.the opponent.

When down on the mat, the usual points of When down on the mat, the usual points of support are the knees, the side of the thigh and support are the knees, the side of the thigh and the buttocks.the buttocks.


Wrestling shall continue as long Wrestling shall continue as long as the supporting parts of either as the supporting parts of either wrestler remain inbounds.wrestler remain inbounds.

Out of bounds decisions are Out of bounds decisions are determined by the position of the determined by the position of the wrestler and the type of action in wrestler and the type of action in progress at a particular time.progress at a particular time.


When the defensive wrestler is on his When the defensive wrestler is on his back while the supporting parts of either back while the supporting parts of either wrestler are inbounds, wrestling shall wrestler are inbounds, wrestling shall continue as long as there is a possibility continue as long as there is a possibility of the offensive wrestler bringing his of the offensive wrestler bringing his opponent back into the inbounds area.opponent back into the inbounds area.

In this situation any part of the defensive In this situation any part of the defensive wrestler’s shoulders or scapulae are his wrestler’s shoulders or scapulae are his supporting parts.supporting parts.

Near-fall points or a fall shall be earned only Near-fall points or a fall shall be earned only while any part of both defensive man’s while any part of both defensive man’s shoulders or both scapulae are inbounds.shoulders or both scapulae are inbounds.


Officials must work diligently to maintain Officials must work diligently to maintain the best position as wrestler’s approach the best position as wrestler’s approach the mat’s edge in order to determine the mat’s edge in order to determine when there is an out of bounds.when there is an out of bounds.

A position to the out of bounds side of the A position to the out of bounds side of the wrestlers with vision between them is most wrestlers with vision between them is most desirable.desirable.

Officials must be alert to the location of the Officials must be alert to the location of the boundary line and know exactly where they are boundary line and know exactly where they are on the mat, thereby being prepared to on the mat, thereby being prepared to administer the out of bounds rule consistently administer the out of bounds rule consistently and correctly.and correctly.

Wrestling is to continue as long as the Wrestling is to continue as long as the supporting parts of either wrestler remain supporting parts of either wrestler remain inbounds.inbounds.


When a takedown is in progress and When a takedown is in progress and the wrestlers are in a neutral position, the wrestlers are in a neutral position, wrestling will continue as long as the wrestling will continue as long as the supporting parts of either wrestler supporting parts of either wrestler remain with the boundary line.remain with the boundary line.

In awarding a takedown at the edge of In awarding a takedown at the edge of the mat, points shall be scored when the mat, points shall be scored when control is established while the control is established while the supporting points of either wrestler are supporting points of either wrestler are inbounds or while at least the feet of inbounds or while at least the feet of the scoring contestant finish down on the scoring contestant finish down on the mat inbounds.the mat inbounds.


If the defensive wrestler initiates a move near a If the defensive wrestler initiates a move near a boundary but is unable to complete it because boundary but is unable to complete it because both contestants go out of bounds, it is possible both contestants go out of bounds, it is possible that an escape may have been earned.that an escape may have been earned.

In a situation where the offensive wrestler lost control In a situation where the offensive wrestler lost control while the opponent was still inbounds but the defensive while the opponent was still inbounds but the defensive wrestler was unable to gain control before going out of wrestler was unable to gain control before going out of bounds, an escape must be awarded.bounds, an escape must be awarded.

This cannot be a reversal because both wrestlers were This cannot be a reversal because both wrestlers were out of bounds before the defensive wrestler could gain out of bounds before the defensive wrestler could gain control.control.

If neither wrestler has control while the supporting parts If neither wrestler has control while the supporting parts of one remain inbounds, a neutral position has been of one remain inbounds, a neutral position has been gained.gained.


The referee should maintain visual The referee should maintain visual contact with the wrestlers at all times contact with the wrestlers at all times throughout the course of the match.throughout the course of the match.

When contestants go out of bounds, it is very When contestants go out of bounds, it is very important that the referee maintain eye important that the referee maintain eye contact during this period of time, as this will contact during this period of time, as this will help to eliminate situations that might help to eliminate situations that might develop.develop.

A little prevention on the part of the referee A little prevention on the part of the referee will be beneficial in upholding good will be beneficial in upholding good sportsmanship throughout the match.sportsmanship throughout the match.

For further information contact:For further information contact:

Dale PleimannDale Pleimann

Assistant Executive DirectorAssistant Executive Director

Missouri State High School Activities Missouri State High School Activities AssociationAssociation

573-875-4880573-875-4880