2006 INTERNATIONAL WRESTLING RULES AND GUIDE FOR TRAINING MAT OFFICIALS

V. April 14, 2006

Several significant adjustments to the rules were introduced at the rules clinic given by USWOA President Rick Tucci at the US National Championships in Las Vegas on April 13, 2006.

Several rules changes that were released as part of the v.4.6.06 update have been amended as follows:

· Clinch #1: There is no caution if the clinching wrestler does not score in the 30 sec. time frame, only 1 point to the opponent is given as long as nothing illegal was done. Still in effect

· Clinch #2: There shall no longer be a caution issued in the situation of a clinch for false start, incorrect starting position or in two 30sec situations in Greco-Roman. In all these cases there shall only be a point awarded to the non-offending wrestlers. In the case it is the top wrestler in Greco-Roman, the point shall be awarded to the bottom wrestler and wrestling resumes in the neutral position. Changes follow:

In the GR clinch position and in the regular par terre starting position the following shall apply: Wrestlers will receive one warning without penalty for a false start or improper starting position.

If the top wrestler is warned a 2nd time he will be given a caution, his opponent 1 point and wrestling shall be resumed in the standing position. In the GR clinch the top man is still required to score or his opponent will receive at additional point at the end of the 30 second period.

If the bottom wrestler is warned a 2^nd time he will receive a caution and his opponent 2 points. Wrestling shall resume in the same position (GR clinch or regular par terre position).

If this happens in the freestyle clinch position, the period is ended.

· In the situation where a technical superiority is achieved, two 3-point techniques are executed or where a wrestler performs a -point technique, the period or bout shall end and it is no longer an option for the wrestler to choose to continue the bout to try for a fall. Still in effect

· Freestyle Clinch: In the freestyle clinch situation, the head of the wrestler grasping the leg must be to the outside of the leg being secured. Any kind of lock may be used; hand-to-hand, hand-to-elbow, elbow-to-elbow, etc. Still in effect Also: attacking wrestler may be on one or both knees to start. Defending wrestler should place his hands on the back of the attacking wrestler before the lock is made.

Additional rule adjustments of consequence include:

· Winning a period by a 6-point margin, two 3-point actions or a 5-point action all count towards winning a match by technical superiority. The wrestler who wins two periods by any of these will win the match by technical superiority (classification points 4-0 or 4-1).

· The criteria to determine which wrestler takes the Greco Roman clinch first shall be the wrestler who scored last in the first 60 seconds of the period. This is the only criteria. Cautions and values of points scored do not matter. If the score is 0-0 then the referee shall flip a disk.

· What to do when the following situations occur in the GR clinch:

o When the top wrestler has the clinch and the action takes them out of bounds in par terre without a score – no penalty, resume match in the clinch for the remainder of the 30-second period.

o When the top wrestler has the clinch and the action takes them out of bounds in par terre with a score – resume match standing for the remainder of the 30-second period.

o When a leg foul is committed by the bottom wrestler while in the clinch, apply the penalty (caution + 1 or 2 points) and resume in the clinch for the remainder of the 30-second period.

o When a leg foul is committed by the top wrestler while in the clinch, no penalty – resume match standing for the remainder of the 30-second period.

o When the top wrestler has released the clinch and the actions takes them OB without a score – resume match standing for the remainder of the 30-second period.

o When the top wrestler has released the clinch and the actions takes them OB with a score – resume match standing for the remainder of the 30-second period.

o When the top wrestler has released the clinch and the bottom wrestler commits a leg foul – apply the penalty (caution + 1 or 2 points) and resume in the regular par terre position for the remainder of the 30-second period. It is the same for a leg foul committed by the bottom wrestler during the first minute of a period.

o If the wrestlers come to the feet, with or without the clinch lock in place, and either steps out of bounds without scoring then the 1 point penalty is applied and the match is resumed standing.

o If the bottom man clams up during the clinch period after the clinch has been released and is called for “fleeing the hold” the penalty is a caution + 1 point – resume match in regular par terre position.

o Anytime the wrestlers leave the mat in the danger position during the clinch period – the match is resumed in the regular par terre position ( a “fleeing the mat” call is also likely – caution + 2).

Significant changes and updates from previous releases are underlined.

SLIDE #:

1. 2006 International Wrestling Rules and Guide for Training Mat Officials

2. Introduction

3. Introduction

4. Introduction

5. Introduction

6. FILA

7. FILA

8. 2006 Rules - Must Win 2 out of 3 Periods -

· A match will consist of three, two-minute periods.

· A wrestler must win two periods to win the match.

· If a wrestler wins the first two periods, the match is over.

9. 2006 Rules - Ways to Win a Period -

· If a wrestler gains a six point lead over his/her opponent in a period, that is considered a win by technical superiority and the period ends.

· A wrestler wins the period if he/she scores two 3-point holds in one period.

· A wrestler wins the period if he/she scores a 5-point throw.

· The wrestler ahead on points wins the period when the time expires.

10. Unchanged

· The match ends if either wrestler pins his/her opponent.

11. 2006 Rules - Going Out-of-Bounds = 1 Point -

· Anytime either wrestler steps into the protection area his/her opponent will receive 1 point

· The exception is when the attacking wrestler scores points with the hold in progress.

12. 2006 Rules - Resume Bout Standing -

· Anytime the period is interrupted, wrestling will resume in the standing position unless an infraction has been committed by the bottom wrestler.

· Then, a caution and points will be awarded and wrestling will resume in the par terre position.

13. New Clinches

· In freestyle wrestling, any period that ends with a 0-0 score goes to the clinch.

· In each period of Greco Roman, the wrestlers will go into a par terre clinch at the 1 minute and 1:30 minute marks. NOTE: GR clinch is described in detail in “Rules Specific to GR Wrestling.”

14. Eliminated from the Rules:

· Warnings for passivity.

· Choice of position after a caution.

· The point for an escape.

· The extra point for lifts from par terre.

· The limitation on scoring with the ankle lace and gut wrench.

15. The Bout - 3 x 2-minute Periods –

· Under the new rules, matches shall consist of three periods of 2 minutes each with a 30 second break between periods.

· At the end of each period, one wrestler is declared the winner. The wrestler who wins two periods is declared the winner of the match.

· If a wrester wins the first two periods the third period will not be contested. A fall shall end the match whatever the period.

16. The Bout Ends

· The bout ends when a wrestler is declared the winner of two periods, or when a fall, a disqualification, or an injury of one of the wrestlers is declared:

· A wrestler receiving 3 cautions during the match will be disqualified.

· Disqualification for misconduct may be penalized by loss of the match and/or elimination from the competition.

17. The Period Ends:

· A period ends and a winner is declared either with:

· Technical superiority (all three now with the period by technical superiority),

o when a wrestler attains a 6 point advantage.

o The execution of two 3-point holds regardless of the score.

o The execution of a “grand amplitude” 5-point hold regardless of the score.

· However, the bout is not stopped until the action is completed allowing for an immediate counterattack by the defending wrestler or a fall for the attacking wrester.

· One wrestler ahead by points (1-5) as time expires.

18. The Bout
- Allow for the Fall –

· In the case where a wrestler has achieved a 6-point advantage, executed 2 x 3-point actions or executed a 5-point action, the referee must wait for a possible fall.

· If the defending wrestler recovers (bellys out) then the wrestling is stopped and the winner of the period or match is declared. The winner does not have the option to continue the period to try for a fall.

19. Period Ends With a Tie Score

· A period is won with one wrestler ahead by points (1-5) as time expires.

· In the case of a period ending in a tie score the winner shall be determined first by the wrestler with the fewest cautions then by the value of the technical points (a 3-point action, most 2-point actions). If the tie remains, the winner shall be determined by the last point scored.

20. Period Ends 0 - 0
- Freestyle Clinch –

· In the case in a freestyle or women’s match where a period ends with a score of 0 - 0, the referee will stop the bout and order that the bout be resumed in a clinch position.

21. Period Ends 0 - 0
- Freestyle Clinch –

· The wrestler who wins the coin toss will indicate to the referee which leg his opponent has to put in the middle of the center circle.

· He/she then clasps (any kind of grip including elbow-to-elbow is permitted) behind the knee with the head to the outside of the leg being secured. (and may be on one or both knees).

· The defending wrestler’s hands must be placed on the opponent’s back (the back only).

· The referee will immediately blow the whistle to start the wrestling.

22. Freestyle Clinch –

· The clinch lasts 30 seconds in freestyle. If the winner of the clinch does not score, the defending wrestler will receive one technical point. The wrestler who wins one point will be declared the winner.

23. If a wrestler leaves the mat and the refereeing body can determine which wrestler was the first one to step out1 point will be awarded the period ended.

· If both wrestlers leave the mat in the clinch situation at the same time, the refereeing body shall decide who is at fault and award 1 point to the wrestler who is not at fault.