Having taken the NFHS survey this year, I noted that the NFHS is looking into some possible rule changes for next year. This survey is meant to gauge people's thoughts on proposed rule changes so they can make formal proposals to be voted on.

They are as follows:

1. On the third penalty for stalling, the opponent – in addition to the penalty points – be awarded the choice of position on the next restart.

2. When a takedown is secured, the wrestler shall be awarded two match points for the first takedown and three match points for each additional takedown.

3. When near-fall criteria is met for two seconds, the wrestler in the advantage position will be awarded three match points; when near-fall criteria is met for five seconds, the wrestler in the advantage position will be awarded four match points.

4. Allowing a wrestler to compete in six matches in any one day (championship or consolation), including forfeits.

5. Reducing the rest break between consecutive matches from 45 minutes to 30 minutes.

6. Making the straight-body scissors an illegal hold/maneuver.


Keep in mind the none of the above six statements have been formally proposed, and all/some/none of them could be proposed and implemented in the rules next year.

I believe points 4 & 5 are the ones most people are interested in changing.

I personally think point 1 would be okay to implement.

Point 2 would be an interesting change, in that it may give wrestlers an incentive to stop riding their opponent to only get 3 potential back points when they can just as easily get 3 by takedown.

On that same taken if point 2 is implemented it would make no sense to implement point 3 because then you would be right back to the status quo albeit with 1 additional point going on the score board.

Finally point 6. I don't believe this would be a good rule change. This year the Figure 4 to the head was made illegal and that was a good change because the potential for injury to the head and neck was very high, especially due to wrestlers improperly applying the move. The straight-body scissors is not nearly as dangerous, and a rule already exists which prevents wrestlers from using it as a punishing move, thus the reason why wrestlers typically get hurt from it, is an official letting it be used in a manner it should not be.

A couple of years ago, Clark Conover, whose brother coaches in Iowa, gave me this info as a suggestion for a rule change. He told me that this rule change has totally revitalized the sport of wrestling up there. Schools are able to add more weeknight duals, which in turn has made it more spectator friendly. This would be in place of the 30 competition points.
• Each school is permitted a maximum of fifteen (15) competition dates before the regional tournaments. There are no restrictions on how many schools may compete on any of the 15 dates as long as NFHS rules regarding the number of times each wrestler can compete in on day are not violated <<<for Kansas, it would be the 5-matches-in-a-day rule>>>. A two-day tournament counts as one competition / weigh-in date, even though wrestlers must weigh-in each day of the tournament.
• The date limitation pertains to individuals, as well as teams. (Example: A school may have 15 varsity dates, 15 JV dates, 15 9th grade dates, etc. The meet contract should stipulate which level(s) of competition is/are being wrestled. An individual wrestler can only compete on a total of 15 dates during the regular season. However, they may have multiple matches during on contest. A wrestler cannot be entered in two competitions at the same time.)
Either going along with this recommendation or as an option would be these rules:
• There shall be no exhibition matches. All matches shall be contracted.
• A wrestler shall not participate in JV and varsity competition against the same school, in the same contest.

I suggested on this forum that we ask KSHSAA for five single competition points that can ONLY be used for weeknight duals. It is a really simple request. No double or triple duals just one team vs another. The fan friendly event wrestling needs without cutting into mat time on weekends.

I disagree! I have almost never seen anyone hurt by a figure 4 on the head. The Body scissors is incredibly damaging and the rule that exists now that it must not be used as a punishing move, is not being inforced and is very subjective. Make the body scissors illegal!

The straight-body scissors is not wrestling. It is basically a move for punishment. Squeeze the crap out of the guy on bottom until he cannot defend a turn. Officials never apply the proper ruling to it and you can break a guys ribs with it. It isn't wrestling to me. It works in youth and some hs wrestling but I have never seen it used effectively in college.

I disagree! I have almost never seen anyone hurt by a figure 4 on the head. The Body scissors is incredibly damaging and the rule that exists now that it must not be used as a punishing move, is not being inforced and is very subjective. Make the body scissors illegal! [/quote]

Agree on both counts...fig 4 is a good move, scissors not so much.

I think that these wrestlers can handle six matches in a day. If they went to a 30 minute rest between matches, then the absolute most a wrestler could compete is 36 minutes (unless there is OT) and still have at the very least a total of 2 1/2 hours of rest. I am pretty sure that many of their practices have a lot more wrestling with much less rest.

Two things here. 1) I think the first takedown should be worth 3 points and subsequent takedowns only worth 2. This would make the first takedown of the match the most important and give the wrestlers a reason to be the first to score. 2) Go ahead and make the body scissor illegal, but please bring back the figure 4.

What about bringing riding time to high school? Always loved how riding time can change a match in college. More incentive to get away and more incentive to ride.

I totally agree with Beeson

HS going to the NCAA "edge of the mat" boundary rules needs to be #1 effort for NFHS, in my opinion.

I second this effort. Out of bounds in high school is a joke.

Too much laying around already in KS HS wrestling. Community working hard to get Kansas refs to do more stall warnings and calls to get/keep the action moving. As I understand, collegiate wrestling is about controlling the opponent, ie., riding time--which can decide the match. HS wrestling more about movement/action to get the wrestler in position to make the immediate pin.

I don't like the near fall changes or the takedown changes. Don't change wrestling because other people want to see more scoring...2 seconds to get back points is way to many points to quickly. That makes it hard for anybody to make a comeback.

I am strongly in favor of the 6 matches and 30 min changes. Having 30 min is more than enough rest...wrestling is about endurance and heart.

I agree with lazyman_1 about riding time, I think that would be great. I hope these changes take place.

I agree with Kit, the out of bounds rule needs to change. It would add more mat space and it would make it easier on officials to make calls.

I don't see how movement and action are less important in college. All attributes important at any level.

Riding time brings an extra sense of urgency to a match. I don't see laying around being an issue.

Stalling can be the worst call in wrestling...It is one of the few "judgement" calls a ref has in wrestling and I have seen them use and not use the call. That rule needs to be revised to make it more clear. If there is riding time, the bottom man better learn how to escape better and work off the bottom better. Coaches will then work even more on the bottom position which would take more time away from the top position. Also would help make the transition to college easier for wrestlers.

My top 3:
1. Allow 6 matches in a day.

2. Go to the college out-of-bounds rules.

3. Riding time.

I think we should employ as many things as we can to mimic college wrestling.

I would love to see college rules for out of bounds, but many tournaments would have to change their set up to accomidate for more room or mats around the edge. Eudora for example could not use Mat 4 that is in their wrestling room. The edge of the mat in right against the wall, etc.

I would love to see that and the 6 match rule. My other would be seperate points for a group of duals. No duals is killing hometown support. Our team has 2 duals a year that rotate. So we have one home meet each year for 2 years, then NONE for a year. They do the SR. night by walkig the kids out at a Bball game. We do wrestle a good tournament schedule, but at what price?

- I have brought up riding time before and others thought it would promote stalling on top- I think it forces the bottom man to work harder for the escape - therefore pressing the action.

- NO dual state tournament = Less dual competitions throughout the season - more team sedk competition at tournaments to prep for tournament success at the end of the year

- don't really see how changing the scoring would press the action more than the out of bounds rule, or riding time