National Federation of State
High School Associations
2014-15
Wrestling Rules Changes
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
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 2014-15, a legal hair cover
shall be attached to the ear guards.
Bad Time
Rules 5-1-1, 6-6-2
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, 6-6-2
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 10-2-9
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.
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2014-15
Wrestling
Editorial Changes
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
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 11-1-4 NOTE
 EDITORIAL CHANGE FOR 2014-15 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.
2014-15 NFHS Wrestling Editorial Changes
Mat Area
Diagrams
Further clarified the markings on the mat
adjusted some of the dimensions in the
diagrams.
4-2-1
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.
5-1-2
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.
6-6-2
Reorganized the rule dealing with correction of
errors in positioning wrestlers and expanded
the Note.
2014-15 NFHS Wrestling Editorial Changes
8-1-1
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 2013-14 Rules Book.
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2014-15
Wrestling
Points of Emphasis
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
2014-15 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
POINT OF EMPHASIS
Avoiding Wrestling and Encouraging
Wrestling in Center of Mat
PlayPic®
Good wrestling action requires both wrestlers to make an
honest attempt to stay within the wrestling area.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2013
Preventing False Starts from Creating
Injuries – Preventive Officiating
Legal Hair Coverings
POINT OF EMPHASIS
PlayPic®
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.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2012
Cleaning Wrestling Mats and
Wrestling Equipment
POINT OF EMPHASIS
PlayPic®
Cleaning wrestling mats with an effective disinfectant helps
prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2013
Authority/Responsibility of the Off-Mat
Referee to Call Flagrant/Unsportsmanlike
Conduct
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2014-15
Wrestling
Rules Reminders
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
RULE CHANGE
Equipment
Rules 1-1-3, 4-3-1, 4-3-6, 10-1-2
PlayPic®
PlayPic®
Dual Meet: Legal
Tournament: Legal
Electronic devices may be used by coaches in the coaching
area.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2013
Equipment
Rules 1-1-3, 4-3-1, 4-3-6, 10-1-2
RULE CHANGE
PlayPic®
Legal
Coaches may share information on electronic devices with
wrestlers during injury time-outs.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2013
Equipment
Rules 1-1-3, 4-3-1, 4-3-6, 10-1-2
RULE CHANGE
PlayPic®
Illegal
Coaches may not use electronic devices to discuss a call.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2013
Equipment
Rules 1-1-3, 4-3-1, 4-3-6, 10-1-2
RULE CHANGE
PlayPic®
Illegal
It is illegal to use a bullhorn or other devices to communicate
with a wrestler during a match.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2013
Match Limits
Rules 1-4-3, 5-13, 5-17-2
RULE CHANGE
PlayPic®
Forfeits are no longer considered as matches wrestled when
considering the five matches in one day limit for competition.
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2013
Artificial Limbs
Rule 4-5-9
PlayPic®
RULE CHANGE
A
PlayPic®
B
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).
© REFEREE ENTERPISES INC. 2013
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:
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: 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.
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2014-15
Wrestling
Information
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
2014-15 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 ebooks from Amazon.com and view them
through the Kindle app.
 Price: $5.99 each
 Visit www.nfhs.org/ebooks
for more information.
NFHS Suggested Guidelines for
Management of Concussion
In the Appendix
in all of the
2014-15 NFHS
Rules Book
Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know
www.nfhslearn.com
Interscholastic Officiating
www.nfhsofficials.com
Wrestling Information
1st Day of Hydration Testing
1st Day of Practice
October 29
1st Play Date
November 18
Growth Allowance
December 25
Weight-Class Certification
January 31
October 27
Dual Team Playoffs
1A/2A/3A/4A Dual Team Playoffs
Reporting Deadline – 6:00AM
February 2
1st/2nd Round
February 3
3rd Round/Regionals
February 5
State Championship
February 7
1A – Western Champion
2A – Eastern Champion
3A – Western Champion
4A – Eastern
Champion
1A Dual Team Playoffs
Individual Tournaments
Individual Regionals - February 13-14, 2015
Entry Deadline – February 2, 3:00PM
1A East – Rosewood
3A Mideast –
Morehead
1A West – Walkertown 3A Midwest - Piedmont
2A East – Croatan
3A West – North
Henderson
2A Mideast – Wheatmore
4A East – New Bern
2A Midwest – Parkwood 4A Mideast - Knightdale
2A West – West Lincoln 4A Midwest – NW Guilford
3A East – Western Harnett
4A 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
Approved Board Items
1st 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).”
Points of Emphasis
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 15th
 $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 25th can receive the allowance
on the 25th.
 Wrestlers who have not certified their minimum weight
class by December 25th 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 postseason 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
Clinic Attendance
 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 21-24
Coaches’ Education
 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, 2015.
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
Sportsmanship
 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
Gfeller-Waller Concussion
Law
 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
National Federation of State
High School Associations
Thank You!
www.nfhs.org
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™