1. IHSA
WRESTLING REVIEW 2019
Welcome to the 2019 IHSA Wrestling Rules Review sponsored by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association. On behalf of Assistant Executive Director Sam Knox and Head Wrestling Clinician Anthony Clarke, thank you for your dedication to your continuing education and learning the rules, mechanics, and best practices as an IHSA licensed official. We are going to cover several topics this evening in order to provide a refresher as we enter the postseason. These topics and the content within are consistent with what was taught in the fall, there is no new interpretations or mid-season rule changes.

2. TOPICS 1. ArbiterPay 2. Weigh-in Procedures 3. Special Equipment
4. Coaches Meeting
5. Supporting Points
6. Stalling/Fleeing
7. Assistant Referee
8. Injury/Blood/Recovery Time
9. Questions/Answers/Situations

3. ArbiterPay ArbiterPay is required for all Post-Season Assignments
User Name and Arbiter Account number
must be updated on the IHSA website under personal information

4. WEIGH-INS All Officials must be present at weigh-ins.
Regional Tournaments- can weigh in by weight class or team.
Sectional Tournaments- all wrestlers will weigh in by weight class or by team.
Dual Team Sectional- must conduct a blind draw prior to weigh in and wrestling will begin using the drawn weight class.
Review weigh-in procedures. (low cut socks)

5. Grooming, special equipment, skin checks should completed at weigh-ins.
Electronic skin forms are acceptable-on the proper IHSA form.
Review hair, nails and facial hair requirements. Rule (use the rule book)
Hair covers shall be inspected prior to stepping on the scale.
Review rule regarding uniform requirements. Rule (use the rule book)
Review rule regarding special equipment. Rule (use the rule book)
Have a method to record wrestlers that need to trim nails, hair or shave prior to wrestling.
GROOMING CHECK

6. Hair Styles
If the visual hair style at weigh-ins, meets the hair length requirements it is acceptable for the event.
Twist are legal as long as they are not abrasive. The beard would require a face mask or shave.
If the hair falls down below the eyebrows, it must be trimmed or contained in a legal cover

7. WRESTLER’S EQUIPMENT/UNIFORM
No tape on the headgear. Straps can be criss-crossed.
Shoes laced completely and properly secured in a lace guard or taped around the ankle.
A proper mouth guard is required if a wrestler has braces (plastic strips attached to braces is NOT allowed).
Elbow/leg sleeves need IHSA approval (leg sleeves with padding is considered a knee pad which onsite official approves for that event) One legged tight is prohibited.
Knee sleeves/braces designed for knee stabilization need referee approval.
Reporting to the mat not properly equipped is a technical violation.
One match point and injury clock is started to remedy the situation.

8. OFFICIAL’S SIGNALS-DRESS-PROFESSIONALISM
Use NFHS/IHSA signals only.
Be very clear when giving signals.
Use the proper start signal “up chop”.
Be properly dressed and groomed.
IHSA identification on left sleeve required-embroidered or patch allowed.
No visible necklaces, facial jewelry, or additional wristbands.
Refrain from touching the wrestlers.
Always use appropriate language while speaking with coaches, wrestlers, and officials (on and off mat). Be aware of who is in locker room.

9. PRE-TOURNAMENT COMMUNICATION
Review table communication-misconduct-unsportsmanlike penalty
Coaches do have a right to ask for a clarification without being penalized.
Remind coaches that wrestlers need to report properly equipped: shoe laces, hair covers, mouth/tooth guards, etc. (clear plastic strips covering ortho braces are NOT legal)
Only coaches seated in the chairs can take an official to the table.
Do not start a match without a coach (adult-school representative) in the corner.
Keep the mat area clear of wrestlers and spectators. Work with administration to do this.

10. MISCONDUCT VS UNSPORTSMANLIKE
All misconducts happen at the scorers table and are on the head coach.
Know the difference between misconduct and unsportsmanlike conduct.
There is no warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Know when to remove a coach or contestant.
Make sure head table has misconduct/unsportsmanlike penalties recorded.
Communicate with the officials crew when these penalties are assessed.
Make sure coaches know that you have issued a misconduct warning or an unsportsmanlike penalty.

11. STARTING SEQUENCE
Once the bottom wrestler is set, top wrestler will cover (make sure palm is covering the elbow, not thumb and first finger pinch).
The referee will then say “set” and pause momentarily prior to sounding the whistle and starting the match.
Be alert that the top wrestler may not touch or use the bottom wrestler as a stabilizer. (top wrestler may not use bottom wrestler while lowering themselves)
Be cautious of wrestlers timing your whistle.

12. ESCAPE
It is an escape when the wrestler faces an opponent assuming an offensive attack position.
It is not an escape if both wrestlers get to their feet and are facing each other, while the top wrestler still has his hands locked around the body.
It is not necessarily an escape if both wrestlers have separation and the bottom wrestler goes out of bounds and has not faced the top wrestler. It could be an escape if the official(s) feels the distance between wrestlers in this situation warrants loss of control (usually an arm length).

13. STOPPAGE DURING NEAR FALL SITUATION
Bleeding/injury or stopping a match because of a defensive wrestler committing a violation will require stoppage and near fall points will be awarded as follows:
Imminent near fall situation. (2 points)
Earned 2 or holding 2. (3 points)
Holding 3. (4 points)
You will have a penalty point added to this sequence if the defensive wrestler commits a technical violation, illegal hold, unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike act. This point is added regardless if the period ends, out of bounds or near fall situation ends. Note: Official must stop the match to award points when near fall situation ends.

14. FLEEING THE MAT
Pushing, pulling or diving out of bounds to avoid scoring maneuvers (technical violation).

15. STALLING
Understand the difference between stalling and being overpowered.
Who's initiating vs. reacting
Neutral position: Both wrestlers should work to stay inbounds at all times. Backing off the mat with no attempt to circle is stalling. Pushing or pulling your opponent off the mat is stalling.
Offensive & Defensive position: Who is initiating vs reacting. (top wrestler giving space/defensive wrestler taking advantage of space) Be consistent with calling stalling, let the wrestlers decide the match.
Repeated stalemates to avoid scoring is stalling.

16. STALLING IN OVERTIME
In the one minute sudden victory overtime and the two 30 second tiebreaker periods, both wrestlers should be working to score points.
Remember all stalling warnings/penalties carry over into overtime.
Make sure the stalling call is obvious during these three periods.

17. STALLING ULTIMATE TIEBREAKER
Remember that the ultimate tie-breaker period is different than the rest of the match.
The goal of the top wrestler is to control the bottom wrestler and the goal of the bottom wrestler is to score.
Controlled wrestling down on the mat is not stalling in the ultimate tiebreaker.
There could be times when the top wrestler is considered to be stalling, such as grabbing one leg and hanging on.

18. STALLING IN ULTIMATE TIEBREAKER
Examples of what would not be considered controlled wrestling are:
Repeatedly grasping one leg and hanging on without trying to improve
Rear standing position with or without lifting your opponent and no attempt to return to the mat.
Lifting opponent into the air with an arm trapped (different than in the first eight minutes of wrestling. First time stalemate & second time stalling)
Any of these actions will result in a quick stalemate (regardless of the number of stalling warnings or penalties in the match) on the first situation followed by a stalling warning/penalty on any following stalling situation.

19. STALLING IN ULTIMATE TIEBREAKER
During the ultimate tiebreaker, when either wrestler receives a delay of match penalty while the clock is stopped, there will be no stalemate call. The correct call is stalling, only after the official has strongly encouraged the wrestler to return from out of bounds or assume the correct starting position in a timely fashion.
After strongly encouraging the wrestler and getting no results, you can warn or penalize the wrestler for stalling.

20. OVERTIME SUDDEN VICTORY
Quickly verify that overtime is needed.
Remember that all penalties, cautions, warnings, timeouts and injury times are cumulative throughout the regular match and the overtime period.
There is no rest between regulation match and sudden victory period.
In sudden victory one minute period, wrestling begins in the neutral position. (explain how a second injury time or a 2pt stalling penalty could change this starting position)
The wrestler that scores the first point(s) in the sudden victory period is declared the winner.

21. TIE BREAKER 1 & 2
If no winner is declared at the end of the sudden victory period, then two 30 second tiebreaker periods will be wrestled. (remind wrestlers to wrestle the entire period even if somebody scores)
The referee shall flip the disk to determine choice for the starting position of the first tiebreaker period.
Both periods will be wrestled the full 30 seconds unless a disqualification, a default or a fall occurs.

22. TIE BREAKER 1 & 2 Choice may be top, bottom, or defer. NO NEUTRAL!
If a wrestler chooses bottom, the top wrestler may give the intentional release signal starting the tiebreaker period, award one point to the bottom wrestler and start the wrestlers in the neutral position.
Whichever wrestler has scored the most points in the two 30 second tiebreaker periods will be declared the winner.
Remember, a fall, default or disqualification will end the match.

23. ULTIMATE TIEBREAKER
Should the score be tied at the end of the two 30 second tiebreaker periods, one ultimate 30 second period will be wrestled.
Choice for position in the 30 second ultimate tiebreaker period will be given to the wrestler that did not receive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at any time during the match. If there was no unsportsmanlike penalty, choice is given to the wrestler that scored the first point of the match in the first 6 minutes of regulation. Double stalling points or simultaneous penalties shall be considered as no points for the purpose of choice in the ultimate tiebreaker.
If no points were scored in the regulation match (first three periods), choice will be determined by a flip of the disk. The only choices will be top, bottom or defer.

24. ULTIMATE TIEBREAKER
Second injury time out or 2pt stalling penalty could affect choice in UTB
The wrestler who scores the first point(s) during the ultimate tiebreaker will be declared the winner.
If no points are scored in the ultimate tiebreaker period, the offensive wrestler will be declared the winner and one match point shall be awarded to the offensive wrestler’s score. The referee shall award the ride out point at the conclusion of the 30 seconds.

25. ASSISTANT REFEREE
Assistant referee will be used during regionals and sectionals.
Review:
Positions during neutral and referee starting positions. Positions while clock is running.
Clock/scoreboard responsibilities, time-out responsibilities.
Positions for line calls, near fall situations and time-outs
Responsibilities during time-outs.

26. ASSISTANT REFEREE MOBILITY
The assistant referee will be granted the same mobility as the referee.
Work 180 for the lead official.
Hustle
Position to best view wrestling, scoring situations and clock.
Near fall situation, stay on feet while observing action and clock.
Avoid taking a position that blocks the view of the table workers when starting/restarting wrestling.

27. ASSISTANT REFEREE COMMUNICATION
Verbal communication throughout the match is a must. Assistants need to be engaged in the flow of the match and on alert.
Maintain positions on the mat to verbally communicate, for example: arm trap, supporting points in/out, potentially dangerous situations, scramble situations etc.
In a near fall situation, be in position to observe the action, the time and relay verbal/ physical signals to the referee when time expires.
The only visual signal the assistant referee shall use is locked hands/grasping of clothing.

28. ASSISTANT REFEREE COMMUNICATION
When their is a disagreement, the assistant will bring it to the referee’s attention immediately. “Let’s Talk”
The referee and assistant shall meet briefly on the edge of the mat away from the wrestlers, coaches and the scorer’s table. The assistant will respond with a solid answer when asked by the referee. (never answer a question with a question)
The referee shall prevail in the event of disagreement.
The goal is to get the call right. Always show support for each other.
Remind and direct coaches to address all questions to the referee.

29. BENCH DECORUM
During tournament competition, a maximum of two team personnel (coaches, and/or non-participating contestants including score keepers) will be permitted on chairs at the edge of the mat.
Coaching in the mat area is done using the chairs provided. Referees assigned to work the event are responsible for keeping the mat areas clear. Team members, spectators, and coaches not using the chairs should remain in the bleacher area.
Dual team competition will have a maximum of 26 chairs or a team bench 10 feet from the edge of the mat where facilities permit. Coaches and personnel are restricted to the chairs/bench while the clock is running and during normal out of bounds.

30. BENCH DECORUM
All officials assigned to events are responsible for ensuring that the restricted zone is properly marked in tournaments and benches are properly set up for dual meets.
The Head Official is responsible for reminding coaches during the pre-meet meeting that they are restricted to the chairs/benches while the clock is running and during normal out of bounds and resumption of wrestling.
The Head Official shall also remind coaches that they are not allowed to move toward the mat/restricted zone unless there is a charged time-out or at the end of the match.
Don’t over officiate.

31. HEAD OFFICIALS: Make sure a 5’ line has been placed accordingly in the corners.
Coaches’ Restricted Zone (2-2-2):
This rule change clarifies 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.
Remember by rule the coaches are still restricted to the bench/chair while the clock is running. 
Rule 2-2-2:
ART 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: SITUATIONS A, B, C

32. INJURY/BLOOD/RECOVERY TIME
Review injury/blood/recovery time procedures.
blood-5min.maximum (regardless of situations.) recovery-2 min. Injury-1min.30sec.
Blood time supersedes injury time.Injury/Blood clock should not start until trainer arrives.
Review recovery time procedures. New: recovery time is always awarded for any injury as a result of any false start from the neutral position.
Alert coaches at incremental times. (1 min, 30 sec, 15 sec, etc.)
Wrestler must be prepared to wrestle before time expires to continue the match. (clocks run while taping/bandaging)
During recovery time, if the coach or wrestler intends to default the victory, it must be declared prior to the expiration of time.

33. INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL FORMAT
Two full rounds on Friday night.
First session Saturday morning is both semi-final & first round wrestleback on four mats with five officials with first available mat used for each match.
Four mats on day 2 until semi final wrestleback.
Two officials on each mat for semi final wrestleback and place matches.
Format can be adjusted only with IHSA administrator approval.

34. DUAL TEAM
Dual Team Sectional- must conduct a blind draw prior to weigh-ins and wrestling will begin using the drawn weight class.
Remind coaches that weight verification forms must placed at the scorers table.
Make sure proper team reports first.
Review and have a copy of the tie breaker criteria for a dual.

35. Rule Change Reminders
Rule If a contestant is injured as a result of a false start from the neutral position, the injured wrestler is entitled to 2 minutes of recovery time.
Rule A full, straight-back suplay and the straight-back salto are illegal.
Rational: This is a dangerous move, regardless of which body part (head, neck, or shoulder(s) hit the mat first.
The suplay and salto are throws, recognizing a mat return vs a throw is crucial.

36. Reminders When down on the mat, the usual points of support are:
The knee(s)
The sides of the thigh
The buttocks
The hand(s)
The head

37. Reminders
Arm Trap Lifts – while on their feet, if a wrestler’s arm is trapped and the opponent lifts them off the mat, this creates a potentially dangerous situation and needs to be stopped immediately. Failure to stop an arm trap lift due to not seeing the trapped arm or official’s mistake does not create bad time.
Head taps above the eyebrows is allowed. Head slaps and clubbing should not be allowed.

38. Reminders
In a near fall situation that creates a technical fall, stop the match when the wrestler comes out of near fall criteria. (not a pinning situation)
Arm trap lifts: First arm trap lift, stop the match - potentially dangerous. Repetitive actions are considered stalling.
When stopping the match due to arm trap lift, the official should be on alert for a return that could be excessive force. (unnecessary roughness/slam)

42. IN, OUT, STOP, OR CONTINUE? WHY?
Rule c Near-fall points or fall shall be
earned only while the supporting points of either
wrestler are inbounds. In a pinning situation,
when all parts of the defensive wrestler's
shoulders/scapula are on the mat beyond the
boundary line, if the feet including toes and heels
of the offensive wrestler are the supporting points,
the offensive wrestler's knee(s) must be inside the
boundary, whether in contact with or above the
mat.

43. AUDIENCE TOPICS, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS