The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee approved four rule changes that will take effect in the 2010-11 season.
“The committee felt the need to make very few changes because the sport of high school wrestling is in good shape,” said Dale Pleimann, chair of the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee.
The committee took a stronger stance in dealing with concussions suffered during a match. Effective next season, any wrestler who demonstrates signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with concussion will be removed from the match and not allowed to return to competition until cleared by a doctor.
The previous rule directed referees to remove wrestlers who were “apparently unconscious.” However, loss of consciousness does not always occur with a concussion, and referees must be empowered to remove athletes from competition if they show signs of concussion to prevent further injury, according to the NFHS Sport Medicine Advisory Committee.
Also in the area of injury risk management, the committee added the “rear-standing, double-knee kickback” to the list of illegal maneuvers in 2010-11.
Procedure for an offensive wrestler assuming the starting position was also addressed. The rule was clarified to help eliminate rolling starts and the need for the top wrestler to use a specific sequence when taking position.
Appropriate dress for weigh-ins were the fourth rule change/clarification made by the committee. The rule previously read that wrestlers must wear “no more than a suitable undergarment” during weigh-ins.
“Suitable undergarment” has been further defined in the new rule as fully covering the buttocks and groin regions (and breasts for females).
A major change that was not made was a reordering of the weight classes. The committee considered three proposed sets of weight classes but voted to keep the current 14, as member associations were split evenly between the current set and one of the proposed.
Another survey on weight classes will be conducted next season to determine if reordering is necessary or prudent.
Along with these rule changes, the committee issued three “Points of Emphasis” for next season. They are:
1. Concussion recognition and management
2. Communicable disease
3. Fleeing the mat
