Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations Wrestling Rules Changes

NFHS Wrestling Rules Each state high school association adopting these NFHS wrestling rules is the sole and exclusive source of binding rules interpretations for contests involving its member schools. Any person having questions about the interpretation of NFHS wrestling rules should contact the wrestling rules interpreter designated by his or her state high school association. The NFHS is the sole and exclusive source of model interpretations of NFHS wrestling rules. State rules interpreters may contact the NFHS for model wrestling rules interpretations. No other model wrestling rules interpretations should be considered.

Legal Hair Cover Rules 4-2-1, 4-3-1a Effective in , a legal hair cover shall be attached to the ear guards.

Bad Time Rules 5-1-1, The bottom wrestler with the red leg band was supposed to start the second 30-second tiebreaker in the top position, but the opponent was given the top position instead. The result is bad time.

Bad Time Rules 5-1-1, The bottom wrestler with the red leg band was supposed to have the choice to start the ultimate tiebreaker, but the opponent was given the choice instead and chose the top position. The result is bad time.

Tournament Advancement Rule If two wrestlers in the championship bracket simultaneously cannot continue the match due to both being disqualified for stalling or having their injury or blood time elapse, the wrestler who is leading on points at the time the match is terminated will continue in the consolation bracket. If the match is tied at the time of termination, the wrestler who scored the first point(s) in the match (first three periods, or first or second 30-second tiebreaker) will continue in the consolation bracket. If no points were scored, neither wrestler will continue.

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations Wrestling Editorial Changes

Unnecessary Roughness (NEW) Signal Chart - #26 A new signal has been created for Unnecessary Roughness. The fist is extended straight out with elbow not bent and the hand in a fist. Which arm is used depends on which wrestler is being penalized.

Default/Technical Fall/Disqualification (NEW) Signal Chart - #27 A new signal has been created for a Default, Technical Fall or Disqualification. The arms are crossed in front of the chest.

Entries Rule NOTE  EDITORIAL CHANGE FOR for Team Advancement Tournaments:  NOTE: All wrestlers must weigh-in each day of the multiple-day event and they must weigh-in at the same weight class each day of the event. A wrestler is only eligible for two weight classes during a multiple-day, team-advancement tournament, and those two weight classes are determined at the first day weigh-in and cannot change during the remainder of the event.

NFHS Wrestling Editorial Changes  Mat Area Diagrams Further clarified the markings on the mat adjusted some of the dimensions in the diagrams.  Removed the Note and added to the rule that the legal hair cover shall be attached to the ear guards. Also added “legal” before “hair cover.”  4-3-1a Added to special equipment rule that legal hair coverings must be attached to the ear guards.  Clarified when bad time occurs with regard to time.  5-18 Added the reference to Photo 11 to assist with illustrating out of bounds situations.  Reorganized the rule dealing with correction of errors in positioning wrestlers and expanded the Note.

NFHS Wrestling Editorial Changes  Clarified in the rule that any contestant reporting to the scorer’s table not properly equipped or not ready to wrestle is a technical violation,  9-2-2b Added “opposing” before “head coach.” This was omitted from the Rules Book.

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations Wrestling Points of Emphasis

NFHS Wrestling Points of Emphasis 1.Avoiding Wrestling and Encouraging Wrestling in Center of Mat 2.Preventing False Starts from Creating Injuries – Preventive Officiating 3.Legal Hair Coverings 4.Cleaning Wrestling Mats and Wrestling Equipment 5.Authority/Responsibility of the Off-Mat Referee to call Flagrant/Unsportsmanlike Conduct

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC POINT OF EMPHASIS Avoiding Wrestling and Encouraging Wrestling in Center of Mat Good wrestling action requires both wrestlers to make an honest attempt to stay within the wrestling area. PlayPic ®

Preventing False Starts from Creating Injuries – Preventive Officiating

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC POINT OF EMPHASIS Legal Hair Coverings All wrestlers weighing in must meet the grooming standard, which requires the hair to meet certain length and abrasive standards. All competitors must meet this standard or wear an appropriate cover. This legal hair cover must be worn to the weigh-in for the referee’s approval and then removed prior to stepping on the scale. PlayPic ®

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC POINT OF EMPHASIS Cleaning Wrestling Mats and Wrestling Equipment Cleaning wrestling mats with an effective disinfectant helps prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases. PlayPic ®

Authority/Responsibility of the Off-Mat Referee to Call Flagrant/Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations Wrestling Rules Reminders

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE Equipment Rules 1-1-3, 4-3-1, 4-3-6, Electronic devices may be used by coaches in the coaching area. Dual Meet: Legal PlayPic ® Tournament: Legal

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE Equipment Rules 1-1-3, 4-3-1, 4-3-6, Coaches may share information on electronic devices with wrestlers during injury time-outs. PlayPic ® Legal

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE Equipment Rules 1-1-3, 4-3-1, 4-3-6, Coaches may not use electronic devices to discuss a call. PlayPic ® Illegal

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE Equipment Rules 1-1-3, 4-3-1, 4-3-6, It is illegal to use a bullhorn or other devices to communicate with a wrestler during a match. PlayPic ® Illegal

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE Match Limits Rules 1-4-3, 5-13, Forfeits are no longer considered as matches wrestled when considering the five matches in one day limit for competition. PlayPic ®

© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC RULE CHANGE Artificial Limbs Rule If a wrestler chooses to weigh-in with an artificial limb (A), the wrestler shall wear the artificial limb during competition at all times (B). PlayPic ® A B

Representation Rule 1-4  Rule 1-4-3: No wrestler shall represent the school in more than one weight class in any meet or wrestle in more than five matches (championship or consolation), excluding forfeits in any one day of competition.  Rule 1-4-4: No contestant shall wrestle in two consecutive matches with less than a 45-minute rest between them. The conclusion time of each match shall be recorded.  Rule 1-4-5: A contestant shall not accept a forfeit in one weight class and compete in another class.

Wrestling Mat Rule 2-1

Wrestling Mat Area Rule 2-1-5

Team Benches Rule 2-2 *Rule 2-2-1: 10 feet *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. *Rule 2-2-2:two 10 feet *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.

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations Wrestling Information

NFHS Wrestling Rules and Case Book as E-Books  Electronic Versions of the NFHS Wrestling Rules and Case Book are now available for purchase as e-books.  Apple users can visit iTunes for available books.  Apple, Android and Kindle users can buy e- books from Amazon.com and view them through the Kindle app.  Price: $5.99 each  Visit for more information.

NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion In the Appendix in all of the NFHS Rules Book

Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know

Interscholastic Officiating

1 st Day of Hydration TestingOctober 27 1 st Day of Practice October 29 1 st Play Date November 18 Growth Allowance December 25 Weight-Class Certification January 31 Wrestling Information

1A/2A/3A/4A Dual Team Playoffs Reporting Deadline – 6:00AM February 2 1 st /2 nd RoundFebruary 3 3 rd Round/RegionalsFebruary 5 State Championship February 7 1A – Western Champion 2A – Eastern Champion 3A – Western Champion 4A – EasternChampion Dual Team Playoffs

1A Dual Team Playoffs

Individual Regionals - February 13-14, 2015 Entry Deadline – February 2, 3:00PM 1A East – Rosewood3A Mideast – Morehead 1A West – Walkertown3A Midwest - Piedmont 2A East – Croatan3A West – North Henderson 2A Mideast – Wheatmore4A East – New Bern 2A Midwest – Parkwood4A Mideast - Knightdale 2A West – West Lincoln4A Midwest – NW Guilford 3A East – Western Harnett4A West - Hough Individual Tournaments

Individual State Championships February 19-21, 2015 Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro Thursday, February 19 (TENTATIVE) Weigh-Ins (1.5 Hours Prior to Start) 3A – 5:00PM 4A – 6:30PM 2A – 8:00PM Individual Tournaments

Friday, February 20 (TENTATIVE) Weigh-Ins – 7:30AM 2A, 3A, 4A Wrestle – 9:00AM 1A Weigh-Ins – 12:30PM All-Classes Wrestle – 2:00PM Saturday, February 21 (TENTATIVE) Weigh-Ins – 7:30AM All Classes Wrestle – 9:00AM Finals – 5:00PM Individual Tournaments

1 st Responder/Licensed Athletic Trainers  Now required for all wrestling competitions Skin-Fold/Hydration Testers  All testers/measurers must be certified and validated prior to the start of wrestling season  Must be on certified list as issued by the NCATA Updated Weekly Match Allowance  Schools are now able to wrestle a “quad” meet in addition to one multi-team event per week  NCHSAA Handbook (Item 6) will now read “one dual, one tri, or one quad + one multi team event” Approved Board Items

Practice with Other Teams (Playoffs)  For individuals who qualify to regional or state playoffs: “after the individual regional seeding is completed, he/she may work out or scrimmage one-on-one against students from another school where competition is not available at their own school. The number is limited to one partner for each qualifier advancing, whether from their own school or another school.” Bracket Finalization & Process  Approved clarification the “once the seeding process and the brackets have been finalized, no other team or individual will be substituted in or added to the brackets as a result of a change in the reported record (incorrect or adjusted).” Approved Board Items

Match Weight Form  Coaches are REQUIRED to exchange this form at ALL matches.  All coaches should receive a copy of this sheet for matches. Season Limit  55-Matches  Endowment Dual & Conference Tournament matches DO NOT COUNT towards 55-match limit Points of Emphasis

Weigh-ins  Must occur daily and weekly  Beginning with the first regular season contest, match weigh-in required to be entered into OPC within 24 hours of conclusion of the match or tournament  All (Daily and Weekly) sheets must be available for NCHSAA review Points of Emphasis

NWCA  Schools must register by October 15 th  $30 Registration Fee 2-Pound Allowance (Declaring Minimum Weight Class)  Coaches must select each wrestler who will receive the two pound allowance on the NWCA website before they are allowed to use the allowance  Wrestlers who have certified their minimum weight class before December 25 th can receive the allowance on the 25 th.  Wrestlers who have not certified their minimum weight class by December 25 th will receive the allowance the first time they weigh-in after certifying Points of Emphasis

Weight-Management System  Conducted with NWCA online system  Wrestlers have until January 31 to lose down to the weight & weight class that they wish to compete at the individual regional championships  Even though a wrestler may certify their weight class for post- season competition during the season, they must still abide by the NWCA weight loss guidelines and remain cognizant that their weight is below the certified weight class on January 31.  ***NEW*** AFTER JANUARY 31, THE WEIGHT LOSS DECENT PLAN WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGHOUT THE INDIVIDUAL REGIONAL TOURNAMENT Points of Emphasis

 Head coaches in football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, swimming, baseball, softball, and track & field and lacrosse must attend an NCHSAA approved State Rules Clinic. Must be completed prior to coaching in the first contest; subject to $400 fine, in addition to a $500 fine if he/she actually coaches in the contest Can be satisfied at the NC Coaches’ Association Clinic being held here in Greensboro—July Clinic Attendance

 NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course Currently, all non-faculty and newly hired coaches must take the Fundamentals of Coaching Course; certificate of completion must be on file at the individual school Complete prior to first contest; subject to a $500 fine; continuing to coach without completion = another $500 All coaches must have satisfied the requirement to take this course by August 1, Coaches’ Education

 Concussion Management Certification Effective August 1, 2014, the NFHS Concussion Course (free on-line course) or an equivalent course must be completed by all coaches Prior to the first date of practice for that sport; subsequently, the certificate of completion must be on file at the individual school; subject to $500 fine Coaches’ Education

 NFHS Sportsmanship Course Replaces the Star Sportsmanship Course for any ejected/disqualified player Free, on-line course (nfhslearn.com) Certificate must be sent to NCHSAA Sportsmanship

 Teaching & Modeling Behavior Course Required for any coach ejected during a contest Required for any coach who has player (s) ejected for fighting  NFHS Sportsmanship Course Replaces the Star Sportsmanship Course for any ejected/disqualified player Free, on-line course (nfhslearn.com) All certificates must be sent to NCHSAA Sportsmanship

 Requirements of the Law: Concussion signs and symptoms Given prior to participation Parents/athletes sign indicating “receipt of” Return to Play (RTP) form signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine When in doubt, sit them out” An up-to-date Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Must be on-file Must be posted Must be updated annually Gfeller-Waller Concussion Law

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations Thank You!