New out of bounds rule and revised point system coming to HS wrestling

A new world in high school wrestling will commence this winter.

In late April of this year, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) announced several rules changes in high school wrestling. Three areas in particular address how points are scored and what determines out of bounds.

In an April 25 press release, the federation detailed six changes were recommended by the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee in an April 1-3 meeting.

Headlining the announcement was the out of bounds criteria. Previously, participants required two points of contact by either wrestler if they are inside the boundary line. Starting this season, either wrestler will need just one point of contact to stay in bounds.

“Without increasing risk, this change eliminates the subjectivity of the out-of-bounds call,” NFHS director of sports and student services and liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee Elliot Hopkins said in the press release.

Hopkins added the new rule will allow better understanding what determines out of bounds to wrestlers, coaches and fans watching.

“I want to see as much wrestling as possible,” North Union Head Coach Garrett Andrews said about the out of bounds rule. “In a situation where it’s a dual and you have plenty of space, I am all for the one point of contact and I don’t think it will change how we wrestle.”

Another major rule change included a revised and simplified point system for near falls in a match. If a grappler holds their opponent’s back to the mat, two points will be awarded for two seconds, three points for three seconds and four points for four seconds.

Five points is awarded to the wrestler in control if their opponent is “injured, indicates an injury or bleeding” following a four-point near-fall is awarded.

“Changing the near-fall points should motivate wrestlers to work for a fall,” Hopkins stated.

Additionally to the point system, takedowns will also be more valuable next season. Wrestlers will be awarded three points for a takedown instead of two points.

Jonathan Alder’s Rayce Watson (grey) tries to secure a double leg takedown on an opposing wrestler during a Division II sectional tournament at JA last season. A grappler will be awarded three points for a takedown starting this upcoming season.

(Photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

The three major rule changes next season mimics the competitions seen at the collegiate level. In June of 2023, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a three-point takedown which was seen in the 2023-24 college season.

“Those three things are very significant,” Andrews said.

Local officials and coaches alike were aware of the upcoming rule being altered following last high school season. Overall, some seem positive about the rule changes.

“There was some talk very shortly after the state tournament that (new rules) were going to come into effect,” Triad Head Coach Derek Sharp said. “I had a notion that if it wasn’t going to happen this year, it would happen soon… I am pretty excited about the new rules.”

Troy Cameron has been a high school wrestling official for 25 years and can be seen covering local dual meets and tournaments. He shared that he partook in a survey for officials asking if he would support the rule changes, of which he is in favor of.

“[I support the rule changes] to align with the college rules,” he said.

While the out of bounds rule is suitable for dual meets with only one mat, a tournament with multiple mats will alter the one point of contact stipulation. If mats are beside one another, and the possibility for wrestlers running into each other is present, the safety of athletes will be prioritised.

“If there is a threat of injury or something of that nature, we would reset and restart [from the center],” Cameron explained. “Some schools will not benefit from the new rule because of their gym size and mat size because schools will have to purchase new mats to allow this rule to really benefit them.”

Despite Hopkins’ statement about clarity with the out of bounds rule, Cameron expects there will still be grey area for spectators who watch matches.

“Officials are humans, and they make mistakes sometimes,” he commented. “However, it should be very clear and defined what one point of contact on the mat surface is… It’s all about positioning for the official to be able to see things.

I do think it will be easier for some officials who struggle with the out of bounds call and it will be easier to be definitive.”

“It takes the subjective side out of the call,” Sharp said about the out of bounds rule. “It is very cut and dry.”

Cameron is a fan of the newly revised point system which will allow more scoring to take place.

“There is a lot more opportunity in a match if an athlete is down, they can score more points quicker to get up,” he noted, adding the point value will prepare athletes if they choose to wrestle in college.

Sharp also thinks the new rules will better prepare athletes for potential college careers. He also stated that he is interested in seeing how tournaments and matches will go. He expects they will go by faster.

“There is going to be a lot more matches that will end in tech falls and will have a quicker time,” he said. “I am excited to see what those tournaments will look like now with that in place.”

Coaches, officials and spectators alike will have a learning curve in the winter season. From Cameron’s perspective as the president of the Central District Wrestling Officials Association, his cohorts will have meetings prior to the season starting to address the rule changes.

“Officials will have the opportunity to have preview matches,” he said. “That will hone their skills… Every meeting we are going to discuss these rule changes.”

Some offseason tournaments have adopted the new changes, according to Cameron. 

Understanding the rule changes will go beyond just officiating. Andrews shared that he is thinking of getting his referee license to better education on how matches will go.

“That is one of the things on my to-do list is to get certified and be more knowledgeable,” Andrews said.

Both Andrews and Sharp are eager to start the winter season.

“It is going to be a lot of fun,” Andrews said. “I think we are going to have more kids in the room.”

“We are very, very eager,” Sharp said. “We ended up having a really good ending to the season last year… it’s a really good mark in the road to push the athletes further.”