Wrestling Rules Clinic

CONVENTION CENTER A 1:45 pm Ryan Hagan

2018-19 NFHS Wrestling Rules Changes This PowerPoint presentation from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) covers the following: 2018-19 NFHS Wrestling Rules Changes

DISTRICT DIRECTORS Northeast – Dan Glossner Huntsville Tuscaloosa North Central – Dickey Wright Birmingham Anniston/Oxford South Central – Perry Butler Montgomery Southwest – Ryan Hagan Gulf Coast

New Rules and Rule Changes

Rule Changes 2018-2019 RULE 5 Definitions The Rules Committee has modified the definitions of Out Of Bounds RULE 5-15 In Bounds Then used the new definition to modify the following rules RULE 5-10 Escape RULE 5-15 Inbounds RULE 5-22 Reversal

Rule Changes 2018-2019 DISCLAIMER We have not seen the final wording from the NFHS Rules Committee Final wording will be available by the time each Director conducts their District Camp The following information is based on the NFHS Press Release

Rule Changes 2018-2019 RULE 5 Definitions Changes were needed to Reinforce our new position with increasing scoring opportunities by addressing the supporting point issue Not creating additional risk to the sport. We have defined what the usual supporting points are while down on the mat and how near-fall points or a fall shall be earned.”

Rule Changes 2018-2019 RULE 5-15 Out of Bounds A wrestler will be inbounds if two supporting points of either wrestler are inside or on the boundary line. This could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler that is inside or on the boundary line.

Rule Changes 2018-2019 RULE 5-10 Escape RULE 5-15 Inbounds RULE 5-22 Reversal Rule 5-10 now provides language stipulating that any combination of two supporting points allows an official to make an inbounds call. Rules 5-15-1 and 5-15-3 introduce the same clarity while Rule 5-15-2 alters language from “knees” to “knee(s),” making it consistent with Rule 5-15-2a(4) and its use of “hand(s).”

Rule Changes 2018-2019 RULE 5-25 Takedown The revised definitions for out of bounds and inbounds eliminate subjectivity with the out-of-bounds call without increasing the out-of-bounds area. The removal of “majority of weight” from the definition will allow officials to focus on inbounds and out of bounds rather than having to make a judgment on where the majority of the wrestler’s weight is being supported.

Rule Changes 2018-2019 RULE 5-18 Out of Bounds RULE 5-25 Takedown The revision to the definition of an out-of-bounds call is clearly stated in Rule 5-18, which outlines that it occurs when there are no longer two total supporting points inside or on the boundary line (two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler). Rules 5-22, 5-25-1 and 5-25-3 will have similar language to establish inbounds and out-of-bounds calls for reversals and takedowns.

Rule Changes 2018-2019 RULE 5-24-3 Stalling Revisions will assist officials with making a stalling call. The new criteria establish that stalling in the neutral position also takes place when a wrestler is backing off the mat and out of bounds, as well as when the wrestler is pushing or pulling out of bounds.

Rule Changes 2018-2019 RULE 4-1-2 Uniform New language will state that no additional manufacturer’s logo, trademark or promotional references shall be allowed on the wrestling uniforms. No other changes were made to the new uniform rules that were implemented last year.

Rule Changes 2018-2019 ILLEGAL HOLDS/MANEUVERS RULE 7-1-5y (NEW) The Nelson-Cradle is a new illegal hold/maneuver that is a combination made up of a Half-Nelson on one side with a locked cradle from around the neck with the far side knee. The back of the knee acts as the other arm (arm pit) to complete the Full-Nelson pressure on the neck and throat.

Rule Changes 2018-2019 ILLEGAL HOLDS/MANEUVERS RULE 7-4-2 New language states that repeatedly dropping to one knee, as well as one hand, to break locked hands is considered unsportsmanlike conduct

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

REFEREE PRE MATCH DUTIES RULE 3-1-4 Requires referees to perform skin checks, or verify that skin checks were performed by the designated, on-site appropriate health care professional. (Dual Meets) RULE 3-1-5 Spelled out the pre match requirements for individual, team and combination tournaments

RULE 3-1-4 IMPACT It is critically important for Officials to perform the weigh-in and perform their pre meet duties, including skin checks. Links to the NFHS emphasis on communicable diseases Coaches also have a responsibility to check their wrestlers for skin conditions during the course of the season.

RULE 4-5-3 WEIGHING IN Rule now prohibits any activities that promote weight loss or weight gain when an athlete misses weight on his or her first attempt on the scale Loss: Dehydration, cutting hair, modifying clothing, etc. Gain: Drinking fluids, modifying clothing, etc.

RULE 7-6-4D STALLING Stalling occurs when the contestant in the advantage position stays behind the opponent while on his/her feet, making no attempt to bring the opponent to the mat.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES Communicable disease issues remain at the top of the list of concerns of the NFHS Spreading of communicable diseases has resulted in in temporary shutdowns of wrestling in other states

Communicable Diseases (Point of Emphasis): Communicable skin conditions are a major concern in wrestling and with the emergence of MRSA infections, the concern is greater than ever. If a participant has a suspect skin condition, NFHS rules require current, written documentation from an appropriate health-care professional stating the athlete’s participation would not be harmful to an opponent. The NFHS has developed a form that can be used for that documentation and several state associations have adopted that form for use in their state. Regardless of the form used, it is imperative that ALL coaches perform routine skin checks of their wrestlers and require any wrestlers with a suspect condition to seek medical attention and treatment. It is also imperative that ALL referees perform skin checks as part of their pre-meet duties prior to EVERY meet. If there is a suspect condition, the wrestler, or coach, must present the proper clearance form at the weigh-in for the dual meet or tournament, if the wrestler is to be allowed to compete. One of the keys in preventing the spread of communicable skin conditions are coaches and referees fulfilling their responsibilities professionally. It is, however, only one of the keys. The other, equally important key is proper prevention. While prevention can be complicated, it requires that a few basic steps must be taken by ALL teams. • Educate coaches, athletes and parents about communicable skin conditions and how they are spread. • Clean wrestling mats daily with a solution of 1:100 bleach and water or an appropriate commercial cleaner. • Maintain proper ventilation in the wrestling room to prevent the build-up of heat and humidity. • Clean all workout gear (including towels, clothing, headgear, shoes, knee pads, etc.) after each practice. • Require each wrestler to shower after each practice with an antibacterial soap. Do not share bars of soap. Use individual soap dispensers. • Perform daily skin checks to ensure early recognition of potential communicable skin conditions. • Refrain from sharing razors or other personal hygiene supplies.

Communicable Diseases (Point of Emphasis): Rules 4-2-3, 4, 5: ART. 3 . . . If a participant is suspected by the referee or coach of having a communicable skin disease or any other condition that makes participation appear inadvisable, the coach shall provide current written documentation as defined by the NFHS or the state associations, from an appropriate health-care professional stating that the suspected disease or condition is not communicable and that the athlete’s participation would not be harmful to any opponent. This document shall be furnished at the weigh-in for the dual meet or tournament. The only exception would be if a designated, on-site meet physician is present and is able to examine the wrestler either immediately prior to or immediately after the weigh-in. Covering a communicable condition shall not be considered acceptable and does not make the wrestler eligible to participate. ART. 4 . . . If a designated, on-site meet physician is present, he/she may overrule the diagnosis of the appropriate health-care professional signing the medical release form for a wrestler to participate or not participate with a particular skin condition. ART. 5 . . . A contestant may have documentation from an appropriate health-care professional only indicating a specific condition such as a birthmark or other non-communicable skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, and that documentation is valid for the duration of the season. It is valid with the understanding that a chronic condition could become secondarily infected and may require re-evaluation.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES Skin Checks by coaches and officials Proper cleaning and disinfecting of wrestling mats every day Proper cleaning of wrestling competition and practice gear Sharing of appropriate information with other programs that may use your facilities NFHS Form is used to avoid having a wrestler disqualified by an Official

Bench Decorum

Team Benches - Rule 2 *NFHS Rule 2-2-1: For dual meets, all team personnel, including coaches, other than actual participating contestants shall be restricted to an area which is at least 10 feet from the edge of the mat and the scorer’s table, where facilities permit. *NFHS Rule 2-2-2: During tournament competition, a maximum of two team personnel (coaches and/or non-participating contestants) will be permitted on chairs at the edge of the mat. It is permissible to allow coaches on the corner of the mat in a restricted zone. In tournaments where coaches are permitted on the corner of the mat, the restricted zone shall be defined by either a contrasting line marked on the mat with paint or tape or a contrasting colored surface under the chairs. The restricted zone shall be no closer than 5 feet to the edge of the circle. Coaches shall be seated at least 10 feet from the scorer’s table, where facilities permit. Rules Reminder: Rule 2 – Equipment (Team Benches): Need to emphasize to coaches and team personnel that they must comply with both of these rules. Referees need to enforce these two rules at all times. Case Book: See 2.2.1 SITUATIONS A-B; 2.2.2 SITUATIONS A-C

Team Bench Area – Dual Meet Rule 2-2-2 SCORER’S TABLE 10 FT 10 FT 10 FT 10 FT 10 FT

Rules Reminder: Coaches Restricted Zone (2-2-2): This 2008-09 rule change clarified the existence of a boundary for the coaches’ restricted zone on the corner of the wrestling mat. Previously, coaches sometimes tended to get too close to the circle, which could increase risk of injury to the wrestlers or the coach.   Rule 2-2-2: ART. 2 . . . During tournament competition, a maximum of two team personnel (coaches and/or non-participating contestants) will be permitted on chairs at the edge of the mat. It is permissible to allow coaches on the corner of the mat in a restricted zone. In tournaments where coaches are permitted on the corner of the mat, the restricted zone shall be defined by either a contrasting line marked on the mat with paint or tape or a contrasting colored surface under the chairs. The restricted zone shall be no closer than 5 feet to the edge of the circle. Coaches shall be seated at least 10 feet from the scorer’s table, where facilities permit. Case Book: See 2.2.2 SITUATIONS A, B, C

STALLING

Stalling Honest attempt to stay within the 10 foot circle Continuous action, wrestling aggressively Referee to penalize without hesitation Avoiding contact, playing the edge, not working for a takedown, escape, reversal or fall Delays the match, repeatedly creates a stalemate , repeatedly gasps or interlocks one leg to prevent scoring

Stalling A point of emphasis during State and District camps Use of the stalemate call to encourage more aggressiveness Verbalize “Action” Consistent application of the rule from November to February

Concussion Recognition and Management A concussion is a brain injury that results in a temporary disruption of normal brain function- A concussion occurs when the brain is violently rocked back and forth or twisted inside the skull as a result of a blow to the head or body- Neither referees, nor coaches, are expected to “diagnose” a concussion, as that is the job of an appropriate health-care professional- Referees, coaches and administrators are being asked to make all efforts to ensure that concussed athletes do not continue to participate- Concussion Recognition and Management (Point of Emphasis): Adolescent athletes are particularly vulnerable to the effects of concussion. Once considered little more than a minor “ding” on the head, it is now understood that a concussion has the potential to result in death, or short- and long-term changes in brain function. A concussion is a brain injury that results in a temporary disruption of normal brain function. A concussion occurs when the brain is violently rocked back and forth or twisted inside the skull as a result of a blow to the head or body. The NFHS has been at the forefront of national sports organizations in emphasizing the importance of concussion education, recognition and proper management for the past several years. In 2008, the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) advocated that a concussed athlete be removed from play and not allowed to return to play on that same day. In 2009, this position was adopted by the leading group of sports medicine experts and the National Football League (NFL). To highlight the continuing importance of this issue, the NFHS SMAC and each sport’s rules committee have taken the unprecedented step of including Concussion Recognition and Management as a point of emphasis in each NFHS sport rules book for the 2010-11 year. The purpose of this point of emphasis is to explain the change in verbiage in the NFHS rules books regarding the referee’s recognition of a possibly concussed athlete and to emphasize the importance of proper concussion management. Concussions at all levels of sports have received a great deal of attention in the past few years. Attention has increased even more so over the past year, culminating with the NFL, NCAA and NFHS testifying before the United States Congress about what each organization is doing to protect athletes from concussion. Change in verbiage Previous rules books for most sports included language directing officials to remove an athlete from play if “unconscious or apparently unconscious.” The wrestling rules language has been changed to the following: Any contestant who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the match and shall not return to competition until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional. The common signs, symptoms and behaviors of concussed athletes may be found in Appendix B on page 80 of the 2010-11 NFHS Wrestling Rules Book. Given that most concussed athletes do not lose consciousness, yet they often show other common signs, symptoms and behaviors of concussion, the NFHS SMAC strongly believes that referees must be empowered to remove these contestants from competition, thus protecting them from potential further injury. Continued participation in any sport following a concussion can lead to worsening concussion symptoms, as well as increased risk for further injury to the brain, and even death. Neither referees, nor coaches, are expected to “diagnose” a concussion, as that is the job of a medical professional. The previous rule called upon referees to determine “apparently unconscious” which appeared to expect some level of medical judgment. Referees are now being asked to use their best judgment again in observing the signs, symptoms and behaviors as listed above, but are no longer being asked to make what could be perceived to be a medical opinion. The well-being of the athlete is of paramount concern during any athletic contest. Referees, coaches and administrators are being asked to make all efforts to ensure that concussed athletes do not continue to participate.

Concussion Recognition and Management The referee is not responsible for the evaluation or management of the athlete after he or she is removed from competition- If an appropriate health-care professional on the mat determines that the athlete HAS NOT suffered a concussion, the athlete may return to competition- If there is no appropriate health-care professional available to evaluate the athlete, the athlete SHOULD NOT be allowed by the coach to return to competition- Athletes with continued concussion symptoms are at significant risk for recurrent, cumulative and even catastrophic consequences of a second concussive injury- Concussion Recognition and Management (Point of Emphasis): Continued The referee is not responsible for the on-the-mat evaluation or management of the contestant after he or she is removed from the match. The responsibility of further evaluating and managing the athlete with a possible concussion falls upon the head coach, appropriate health-care professional or other individual designated by school administrators. If the mat-side appropriate health-care professional (if present) determines that the contestant HAS NOT suffered a concussion, the contestant may return to competition, if injury or recovery time has not expired. If there is no appropriate health-care professional available to evaluate the contestant, the contestant SHOULD NOT be allowed by the head coach to return to competition. Please see the “NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion in Sports” at www.nfhs.org for further information. The referee does not need written permission for an athlete to return to competition nor does the referee need to verify the credentials of the appropriate health-care professional. Ensuring compliance with the Suggested Management Guidelines is a health and safety issue and should be the responsibility of the head coach and school administration, NOT the wrestling referee. Suggested Concussion Management 1. No athlete should return to play (RTP) or practice on the same day of a concussion. 2. Any athlete suspected of having a concussion should be evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional that day. 3. Any athlete with a concussion should be medically cleared by an appropriate healthcare professional prior to resuming participation in any practice or competition. 4. After medical clearance, RTP should follow a step-wise protocol with provisions for delayed RTP based upon return of any signs or symptoms. The suggested guidelines for concussion management fall outside the realm of meet management, but are clearly a health and safety issue for coaches and administrators. These guidelines should also be applied to practices. The position of the NFHS SMAC is that no athlete should return to play or practice on that same day after suffering a concussion. Studies have shown medical professionals that the school-aged brain does not recover quickly enough for a high school athlete to return to activity in such a short time. An “appropriate health-care professional” must be determined by each member state association and/or school district with respect to state laws and local preferences. Such individuals should be knowledgeable in the evaluation and management of sports-related concussions and may, depending on controlling law, include MDs, DOs, nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants and certified athletic trainers. Athletes with continued concussion symptoms are at significant risk for recurrent, cumulative and even catastrophic consequences of a second concussive injury. Such risks are minimized if the athlete is allowed time to recover from the concussion and return to play decisions are carefully made. No athlete should return-to-sport or other at-risk participation when symptoms of concussion are present and recovery is ongoing. For further details, please see the “NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion in Sports” at www.nfhs.org.

Rules Change: ART. 4 . . . Any contestant who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the match and shall not return to competition until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional. (See NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion, in Appendix B on page 80.) Rationale for Change: The committee continues to maintain a focus on primary efforts toward maintaining the highest level of wrestler safety. This rule change, as a clarification and directive from the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, stipulates that any contestant who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be immediately removed from the match. The contestant shall not return to competition until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional. See “NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion, in Appendix B on Page 80 of the 2010-11 NFHS Wrestling Rules Book. The previous rule directed referees to remove a wrestler from competition if “unconscious or apparently unconscious” which was perceived in some circles as requiring a medical diagnosis. The previous rule also allowed for return to competition based solely on written authorization by a medical doctor or osteopath. Though the enforcement of all wrestling rules is the responsibility of the wrestling referee, the recognition of the possibly concussed contestant and the removal of the contestant from competition is a shared responsibility. All coaches must be aware of the signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion and must remove a wrestler from any competition or practice if he or she exhibits those signs, symptoms or behaviors. Comment on Slide: See description on slide. The sole role of the referee is to stop wrestling and immediately remove the contestant that displays the signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (See NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion, in Appendix B on page 80 of the 2010-11 NFHS Wrestling Rules Book) and the referee is not involved with the return to competition decisions. No specific written authorization needs to be presented to the referee in order for a contestant to return to competition. Each state association must determine who qualifies as an appropriate health-care professional and may formalize a procedure, including requirements for written certification, for making return to competition decisions. **See Concussion Recognition and Management Point of Emphasis on pages 56-58 of the 2010-11 NFHS Wrestling Rules Book for more information. Case Book: See 8.2.4A and B SITUATIONS

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