2008-09 NFHS Wrestling Rules
Changes
Major Changes
2-2-2: A clarification was
made of the existence of a
boundary for the coaches'
restricted zone on the corner of
the wrestling mat.
4-1-5 NEW: The wrestler's
uniform is to be worn as
intended/designed by the
manufacturer.
4-2-1: A wrestler's hair in
its natural state, in the front,
shall not extend below the
eyebrows.
4-2-3: The physician's
release form for a wrestler to
participate with a particular
skin condition is now to be
presented at the weigh-in unless
a designated, on-site meet
physician is present and is able
to examine the wrestler
immediately after the weigh-in.
4-2-5 NEW: A contestant may
have documentation from a
physician 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.
4-5-5: A one-pound weight
allowance was added in the event
of a school closing due to
inclement weather or unforeseen
circumstances, where wrestling
practice(s) cannot take place
due to school policies. The rule
change also makes it clear as to
who should be notified when
weight allowance is justified.
5-1-4; 6-6-1: Previously, the
wrong wrestler being given
choice in the first 30-second
tiebreaker would have been
considered bad time. Both
situations under Rules 5-1-4 and
6-6-1 are similar and may now be
connected equally. The rules now
state what exactly takes place
in the third period.
5-15-3: The referee now has
the option at the edge of the
mat to stop wrestling when no
action is taking place without
penalizing either wrestler and
restart the wrestling in the
center of the mat.
5-20-5 NOTE NEW: Nothing has
changed in the offensive
starting position. There is now
a time sequence to follow.
5-25-6c NEW; 7-6-6c NEW:
Referees now have rules support
for a stalling call against a
wrestler who repeatedly creates
a stalemate situation to simply
prevent his/her opponent from
scoring and not from his/her own
attempt to score.
5-31-1: The head coach will
no longer be penalized for
unsportsmanlike conduct when
his/her wrestlers report to the
scorer's table not in proper
uniform, not properly groomed,
not properly equipped or not
ready to wrestle.
6-7-1c6: The wrestler whose
opponent has been penalized for
unsportsmanlike conduct at
anytime during the match now
gets the choice of position for
the ultimate tiebreaker. The
unsportsmanlike conduct penalty
will supersede the first points
scored in the regulation match.
7-1-5w NEW: A back flip from
the standing position is now an
illegal maneuver.
7-4-1: Unnecessary roughness
is further defined to include a
forceful slap to the head or
face, and/or gouging or poking
the eyes.
New Referee Signal: A new
referee signal has been
implemented to indicate when to
start recovery time during a
match.
Editorial and Other Changes
3-3-2; 4-2-4; 5-15-2b; 5-16-3;
5-22-1; 5-28-1; 6-2-2; 6-6-6;
7-4-3; 8-1-6; 8-2-1; 8-2-8;
PHOTOS 2, 3 (New), 31-33 (New),
57 (New), 84, 89.
Points of Emphasis
1. Grooming and Medical Checks
2. Reporting to the Scorer's
Table Ready to Wrestle
3. Going Out of the Wrestling
Area
4. Referees' Signals and
Mechanics
