2007-2008 Wrestling Rules Changes

1. 2007-2008 Wrestling Rules Changes

2. NFHS Wrestling Rules Each state high school association adopting these 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.

12. InjuryRule 8-2-1 Exceptions: • If the second injury time-out is taken at the conclusion of the first period, the opponent shall have the choice at the start of the second and third periods. • If the second injury time-out is taken at the conclusion of the second period, the opponent shall have the choice at the start of the third period. • If the second injury time-out is taken at the conclusion of the third period, the opponent shall have the choice of any one of the three starting positions at the beginning of the sudden victory period. • If the second injury time-out is taken any time during the sudden victory period, the opponent shall have the choice of top, bottom or neutral position on the restart. An injured or ill contestant is entitled to a maximum injury time-out of 1½ minutes which is cumulative throughout the match, including overtime periods. There is a limit of two injury time-outs which may be permitted in any match, provided the total time does not exceed 1½ minutes. If a second injury time-out is taken during a regulation period, the opponent shall have the choice of top, bottom or neutral position on the restart.

13. InjuryRule 8-2-1 (Cont.) • If the second injury time-out is taken at the conclusion of the sudden victory period, the opponent shall have the choice of either top or bottom position at the start of both 30-second tiebreaker periods. • If the second injury time-out is taken at the conclusion of the first 30-second tiebreaker period, the opponent shall have the choice of either top or bottom position at the start of the second 30-second tiebreaker period. • If the second injury time-out occurs at the conclusion of the second 30-second tiebreaker period, the opponent shall have the choice of top or bottom position at the start of the ultimate tiebreaker period. • If the second injury time-out occurs during either of the 30-second tiebreaker periods or during the ultimate tiebreaker period, the opponent shall have the choice of top or bottom position on the restart. A third injury time-out shall terminate the match. The opponent shall be declared the winner by default.

14. 2007-2008 Wrestling Editorial Changes

20. Other Wrestling Editorial Changes

21. Other Wrestling Editorial Changes

22. Other Wrestling Editorial Changes

23. 2007-2008 Wrestling Points of Emphasis

26. Communicable Skin Conditions The following guidelines provide practical suggestions that will help reduce the incidence of communicable skin conditions among wrestlers: 1. Coaches must visit with wrestlers, and their parents, about how to recognize and prevent the most common communicable skin conditions. 2. Clean wrestling mats at least once a day with a disinfectant cleaner*, preferably within one hour of practice or competition. Allow mats to air dry before using. There is great benefit from cleaning mats before and after practice. *(Disinfectant cleaners used should state they are effective against viruses, fungi and bacteria.) 3. Don't allow any wrestler into the practice room without clean practice gear. 4. Launder all towels, practice gear and uniforms after each use. To destroy disease-causing organisms, either use detergent containing bleach or dry all articles in a dryer at the high heat setting. 5. Wrestlers should not put dirty practice clothes in the same gym bag in which they carry clean practice clothes to school. This may contaminate the bag and, therefore, the clean clothes.

27. Communicable Skin Conditions Communicable Skin Guidelines continued: 6. Headgear, shoes and neoprene sleeves and supports should be wiped with a disinfectant cleaner after every use and allowed to air dry. 7. Do not allow wrestlers to share any item of practice gear or use common towels. 8. Require each wrestler to shower after each practice and contest, scrubbing vigorously with an antibacterial or deodorant soap. Consider providing liquid soap. If this is not possible, do not allow wrestlers to share bars of soap. 9. Wrestlers should keep their fingernails trimmed short to avoid scratching themselves or others, as any opening in the skin increases the risk of infection. 10. Wash wall mats with a disinfectant cleaner on a regular basis (1-2 times weekly).

28. Communicable Skin Conditions Communicable Skin Guidelines continued: 11. Wipe weight benches with a disinfectant cleaner after each use and/or before the next day's use. 12. Open the doors to the wrestling room each night and use fans to lower the heat and humidity. Proper ventilation is very important to destroy disease causing organisms, especially those causing fungal conditions, such as ringworm. 13. Wrestlers, especially those who have experienced communicable skin conditions in the past, should boost their natural immunity to all diseases by eating healthy foods and getting adequate rest. They may also wish to take a multi-vitamin supplement. 14. Coaches or Certified Athletic Trainers should perform daily skin checks on all wrestlers on the team, to catch early outbreaks of a communicable skin condition before it infects fellow teammates or an opponent.

29. Communicable Skin Conditions The following guidelines will help reduce the spread of communicable skin conditions, if at least one wrestler is already infected: 1. Wrestlers with any signs of a communicable skin condition must be sent to a physician immediately and MUST be withheld from practice until a medical diagnosis and clearance is obtained. 2. Wrestlers with a suspect skin condition must have current written permission from a physician before returning to practice/competition and should have such clearance before being allowed to participate in any way. After receiving physician clearance, it is wise to cover the affected area(s) with an occlusive (water resistant) dressing, or a gauze pad with water resistant covering on at least one side, until the lesion(s) is completely gone. 3. Wrestlers having lesions from a communicable skin condition on their face or neck should launder their pillow case on a daily basis. 4. Wrestlers with any signs of a communicable skin condition should wash their hands frequently to avoid contaminating themselves, or others. 5. Wrestlers with communicable skin conditions should be made aware that contact they have with others during the school day, outside the wrestling room, may spread the condition to others.

32. 2007-2008 Wrestling Rules Reminders

35. Team Benches *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. *NFHS Rule 2-2-2: During tournament competition, a maximum of twoteam personnel (coaches and/or non-participating contestants) will be permitted on chairs at the edge of the mat.

36. Conduct of Coaches, Team Personnel and Others *NFHS Rule 7-5-2:Coaches and other team personnel are restricted to the bench/chairs while the clock is running and during normal out of bounds and resumption of wrestling. The coach may move towards the mat only during a charged time-out or at the end of the match. (See Rule 2-2) *NFHS Rule 7-5-3: Unsportsmanlike conduct – is called on coaches or other team personnel who violate the bench decorum rule (7-5-2).

38. 2008 NFHS Wrestling Rule Change Proposal Form Due: March 3rd Must be submitted to your state association office for approval. ►

39. Additional Information • NFHS Wrestling Rules Changes Form Due • March 3, 2008 • 2008 NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee Meeting • April 5-7, 2008 • Indianapolis, IN • 2008 NFHS Wrestling Rules Interpreters Meeting • September 24, 2008 • Indianapolis, IN • E-mail addresses: • bcolgate@nfhs.org • kadams@nfhs.org

40. The following sports are available in a NFHS PowerPoint Presentation: • Basketball • Baseball • Football • Girls Gymnastics • Volleyball • Soccer • Softball • Swimming & Diving • Wrestling To order copies please contact: Carol Ratliff at the NFHS Phone: 317.822.5731 or Fax your Request to 317.822.5700

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