What is the rule or is there one on squeezing someone in a body scissors between the ribs and the hips? I have seen this happen 2-3 times this year to the point that the kid in the scissors either taps out or gives up and just gets pinned because they can't not breathe. Thought they could not squeeze in that area but it has not been called in the matches I have seen. Please explain what the rule is or is trying to cut someones air off legal. What I have seen is much worse than what we used to do in the old days with a figure 4 on the body.

Page 21 of this link:

http://www.nmact.org/files/Wrestling_Rules_PowerPoint_2009.pdf

National Federation of State
High School Associations

_Legalities of the Scissors, Draping Scissors and Figure 4 (POE)
The straight body scissors is a legal hold. If excessive pressure is applied, it can become
dangerous and cause injury. The straight body scissors is a legal hold when it is used to
simply control the opponent, but when it is used with excessive force it becomes a
submission hold and is illegal at that point. Because of the possible dangers, referees need
to watch this hold closely and stop it prior to the situation becoming illegal and possibly
causing injury. The straight head scissors (even though an arm is included ) is illegal (A). A
draping head scissors is legal (B). It can be defined as one that includes the head but also
extends below the shoulder or under the armpit. It is considered legal because it does not
apply pressure on the head or neck.
The figure 4 is illegal if applied around the body or both legs. It is a technical violation if
applied on the head from the neutral position with or without the arm included (C). It is legal
on the head from both the offensive and defensive positions. The figure 4 is also legal on
one leg. The referee must be aware of the overscissors in this situation and not allow
pressure against the joint which would make the hold illegal. A draping figure 4 on the body
is illegal.

The body scissor is a legal hold if used properly. This move can be stopped for being potentially dangerous or for being illegal. See below.

Potentially Dangerous

Rule 7-2-2g ...other holds which may cause injury when used legally.

Illegal Hold

Rule 7-1-5u ...any hold used for punishment.