Rule Changes for 2006
Freestyle & Greco Tournaments

USA Wrestling will be using FILA rules with some modifications for all age groups this coming year for Freestyle and Greco.  This includes Midget all the up through Junior Age Divisions.

A Synopsis of the new Freestyle and Greco-Roman rules by Casey Goessl and how they were interpreted at the US Senior Nationals in Las Vegas.

 Casey is one of Wisconsin’s top ranked mat officials and officiated at the 2006 FILA Dave Schultz Memorial International Tournament and the US Senior Nationals in Las Vegas.

 Casey wants everyone to know to please feel free to e-mail any questions you might have about the new rules after reading them. He would be happy to answer them. ccgoessl@yahoo.com

 The following interpretations of the rules have not been validated by FILA, USA Wrestling or the United States Wrestling Officials Association.  They are simply based on my experiences and understanding of the rules as they have been given to officials at the various Senior level tournaments.  These rules are subsequent to change and will likely be tinkered with over the next few months.

 This document was revised on April 19, 2006.  Items in bold have been changed or were not emphasized since I presented these rules to coaches at the 2006 WI State Folkstyle Tournament.

 Rules pertaining to both styles:

 Each match will now consist of a maximum of 3 periods each lasting 2 minutes long, regardless of the age division. The winner of the match is whoever wins 2 out of 3 periods.

 Each period will start 0-0. Pins still end the match, just as before. However, technical falls are now only a difference of 6 points; further, a tech fall simply ends the period. The wrestler will not have the option to continue wrestling.

 To award wrestlers taking risks, the wrestler who completes one-five point maneuver or two-three point maneuvers during a period will automatically win that period. It is crucial to understand that a wrestler may do two-three point

maneuvers (or one-five point maneuver), still have fewer points (or be tied) than his opponent and be declared the winner of that period. 

 -To receive the classification points for a technical fall, a wrestler must win two periods by a difference of six points, two periods due to the completion of a 5 point maneuver, or two periods due to the completion of two-three point maneuvers in each period.

 -USA Wrestling has chosen not to adopt the FILA rule that states that the opponent will automatically receive one point if one wrestler stops  the match due to a non-bleeding injury. 

 If the offensive wrestler stops the match due to blood (by pointing to his nose and requesting a time-out) and wrestling is currently in a par-terre position, wrestling will resume in a standing position.  If the official stops the match because he notices blood with either wrestler, wrestling will resume in a par terre position, assuming this is when the blood was recognized by the official.

 Passivities no longer exist. FILA felt there was too much subjectivity involved in this area and it still did not guarantee that points would be scored (the whole point of the new rules is to increase offense and award wrestlers who take risks). With that said, fleeing the hold calls are still existent. Do not interpret "fleeing the hold" as literally as it may sound. Fleeing the hold simply means that one wrestler is actively avoiding wrestling. If this occurs, the wrestler will be warned with an "attention" (for not getting their head up, clamming up, or holding onto atwo-on-one/Russian, for example); if it occurs a second time the offending wrestler will receive a caution and his opponent will receive one point.

 -Escapes no longer exist.

 -The most subjectivity involved with the change in rules revolves around the outof bounds calls. 

Anytime both wrestlers leave the mat from a standing position the first wrestler going out of bounds will be penalized by his opponent receiving one point.  No points will be rewarded if one or both wrestlers leave the mat while on their knees.  The one exception to this rule is clear in freestyle.  If blue, for example, shoots on red and blue’s shot causes red to sprawl out of bounds, blue will receive a point since it was his action that caused red to go out of bounds (in other words, red is being penalized for wrestling near the zone).  On the other hand, if blue shoots on red and red stops blue’s initial attack in bounds while blue continues to drive red out bounds (and assuming one or both wrestlers are on their knees), the blue wrestler will not receive a point.  Understand that the point of adding the out of bounds calls was to not allow wrestlers to use the out of bounds lines as a tool to avoid wrestling.  However, when one or both wrestlers are on their knees, the wrestlers are not always in complete control of their position.  This is not the case while they are standing, therefore, that is why the penalty for going out of bounds only occurs while both wrestlers are standing.  Understand that if a wrestler initiates a move in bounds and finishes out of bounds that it still scores just as before.  The penalty for going out of bounds only exists if no scoring maneuver is completed out of bounds.  Cautions, for fleeing the mat, are typically not involved here (because the wrestler who leaves the mat is already being punished), however, if the wrestler adamantly leaves the mat after attack, a fleeing the mat call can be used.

 -Points for going out of bounds will be rewarded whether the wrestler going out of bounds was pushed out or not.

 -Wrestlers will not be allowed to exploit the out of bounds rules by falling to their knees or completing a slip move just prior to going out of bounds.  In this situation, the official may just give one point to the non-offending wrestler.  However, this situation may also be interpreted as a fleeing the hold call since one wrestler is actively trying to avoid wrestling.  A caution to the offending wrestler can be given and his opponent will receive one point.  Wrestling will resume in a standing position.

 -If the wrestlers go out of bounds and no infractions have been completed while going out of bounds, regardless of their position when they went out of bounds, wrestling will continue on their feet. The only exception to this rule involves defensive leg fouls that occur in Greco. This is explained below.

 -Counter maneuvers can not score out of bounds. If a counter does go out of bounds, no points will be scored and the wrestlers will start back neutral. This is not the same as an auto-touché position, though. During the completion of an offensive maneuver, the offensive wrestler can not roll flat onto his shoulders during the move (either in bounds or out of bounds). This is an auto-touché and the defensive wrestler will be rewarded two points (this is essentially a penalty to the initiating wrestler for poor technique). There is no such thing as a defensive pin so coaches can quit howling about it during matches.

 - It is crucial that coaches understand that once a wrestler goes out of bounds, he is not eligible to score again. This goes against the concept of offensive wrestling. For example, if blue starts a headlock in bounds and finishes out of bounds, red is not eligible to score any points during a roll through. Continuation has no bearing in terms of out of bounds scoring. This is also true during a double leg takedown and subsequent crotch lift. If blue does a hard double leg in bounds and finishes out of bounds and then red counters with a crotch lift, blue will be the only wrestler to score.

 -A wrestler may complete an unlimited amount of gut wrenches (any move in which the offensive man torques his opponents torso) and laces (any move where one wrestler locks and torques around his opponents leg beneath the knee line). Points will only be scored multiple times as long as the bottom wrestler re-attains a defensible position (the bottom wrestler comes back to theposition in which the move started from) between turns.

 -Lift points no longer exist.

 -A takedown in Freestyle or Greco-Roman wrestling is considered when one wrestler takes another wrestler down from a neutral position, passes behind him and the defensive wrestler is in an instantaneous defensive position with 3 points in contact with the mat (2 hands and one knee, two knees and one hand, or one hand and two “butt cheeks”).  I emphasize this because it is different than Folkstyle wrestling where one wrestler must control another wrestler’s hips.  This is not necessarily the case in Freestyle or Greco-Roman wrestling.

 -In Freestyle wrestling, a commonly encountered situation revolves around how a double leg takedown and subsequent crotch lift situation is scored.  For example, if red shoots a double leg takedown on blue and red’s momentum is not changed and blue subsequently is exposed on the mat before the crotch lift is completed, red will be rewarded 3 points and blue will be rewarded 2 points.   Often in this situation, red will re-attain control and will get one point for a reversal.  However, if red shoots on blue and blue stops red’s momentum and then throws a crotch lift, blue will be rewarded 3 points (if the move is completed from a standing position).   Any subsequent scoring would depend on how the situation plays out.

 -The only parts of the defensive wrestler that need to be in bounds in a par terre position for the offensive wrestler to score is his head and chest. The head is considered out of bounds (if the defensive wrestler is facing out of bounds), however, if facing in bounds the head and chest must be in-bounds.

 -Also, once the point for the 5 second hold-down is achieved and if enough points for a tech fall have been received; the wrestler being pinned is not eligible to score any points during a roll-through. Continuation ceases to exist during this situation.

 -If a period ends in a tie, the protocol for the winner of the period is as follows:

1. The least amount of cautions attained in that period

2. The most higher scored moves/value of the hold (3-2-1) attained inthat period

3. The wrestler who attained the last point in the period

This logic is not the same for determining who locks first in Greco for the clinch

position if after the first minute of wrestling if the score is tied.  If the score is tied after the first minute of wrestling in Greco (and points have been scored) the wrestler who scored last will lock first during the subsequent 30 second clinch period.  See the Greco rules below.

 -There is no three point minimum to win a period or the match.

 Rules specific to freestyle:

 -The rules for freestyle have not changed drastically. If a period ends 0-0, the official will flip a coin. The winner of the coin flip must secure a head OUTSIDE single leg on his opponent. The side the wrestler locks on is his choice. He must point to the leg that he wants to secure and his opponent must present that leg (move it forward slightly, like in a fencer's stance). The lock can be any grip from elbow to hand.  The lock must be secured around his opponent's knee or slightly above the knee, but not below. The locked leg must maintain contact with the mat (in other words, the leg can not be lifted).  The wrestler who is being locked must place his hands on the opponent’s back before the whistle will be blown.

 -The locking wrestler has the option to either stand, be on one knee or be on both knees during the clinch.

 -The order for starting the clinch position is as follows:

            -The winner of the coin flip will point to the leg that he wants to secure on his opponent.

            -The defensive wrestler will present the chosen leg by moving it forward slightly

            -The locking wrestler will get into his wrestling position but not lock

            -The defensive wrestler will place his hands on his opponent’ back

            -The offensive wrestler will be instructed to lock his hands.  Once the lock is secured, the whistle shall be blown.

 -This clinch position is simply a starting position--whether the locking wrestler maintains his lock is no longer an issue. Once the proper clinch position is attained, the whistle must be blown immediately. Wrestling will proceed until a point is scored or the 30 seconds of the clinch period are used up. If the locking wrestler scores, he wins that PERIOD. If the locking wrestler fails to score, he will be penalized by his opponent receiving one point. This thereby makes the wrestler who was locked on the winner of that period. Overall, the special clinch period lasts 30 seconds. Pins are not given in this period.

 Rules specific to Greco:

 -In Greco, it is absolutely crucial that the official and table worker's are on the same page. Each period will consist of a two minute period split into 3 time intervals. Wrestling will continue as “normal” for the first minute of the period. Following that, each wrestler will be in a reverse gut "clinch" for 30 seconds. The wrestler who is leading after the first minute of "normal" wrestling will lock first. If the score is tied and points were scored (1-1, for example), the wrestler who has scored last will lock first. If the score is 0-0 after the first minute, the winner of a coin flip will lock first.

 -The wrestler who is losing, either by points, criteria, or the coin flip must attain a normal par terre wrestling position. The mats will have a rectangle split longitudinally in half by another line (see attached handout). The bottom wrestler must have his hands and knees on the four corners of the rectangle. The bottom wrestler must not be on his haunches (i.e. sitting on his heels) or have his back slouched (he must be a perfect table). The top wrestler (otherwise deemed the offensive wrestler for clarification) then must attain a reverse gut position (again, a hand in hand lock is required). The top wrestler is allowed to slightly touch the bottom wrestler but he can not use his leg position to alter the position of the bottom wrestler.  At the kids level (midget, novice and schoolboy), the locking wrestler must attain the reverse lock with both knees on the mat.  At the cadet or junior level, the locking wrestler can lock with both knees or one knee on the mat as well as in a standing position.  Remember that line that was used to split the rectangle. The top wrestler's feet can touch, but MUST NOT CROSS, this center line.

 -In Greco, cautions will be given to either wrestler during the 30 second clinch position for improper starting position or false start by the either wrestler. If the bottom wrestler assumes an incorrect starting position or false starts (following one "attention") the top wrestler will be awarded 2 points and the defensive wrestler will receive a caution.  The wrestlers will be ordered to lock again. If the top wrestler commits an infraction during positioning for the 30 second clinch (following one "attention"), the bottom wrestler will get one point and the top wrestler will receive a caution and the wrestlers will be ordered to start wrestling in a neutral position. If the offensive wrestler fails to score, regardless of the starting position, the other wrestler will only receive one point (no cautions involved).

 -Wrestling will proceed for 30 seconds. If the top wrestler scores, he simply receives his normal points. If the top wrestler fails to score, the bottom wrestler will receive a point. After one wrestler has completed his 30 second "clinch," the wrestlers will switch positions and do it for another 30 seconds until the conclusion of the period.

-There is one exception to the above mentioned set-up. If a wrestler is pinninghis opponent after the one minute mark has passed in the period, wrestling will simply continue until the end of the period (no clinch positions for either wrestler will be completed). If one wrestler is pinning another wrestler after the first 30 second clinch position time is up, wrestling will simply continue until the end ofthe period.  A pinning maneuver is defined as holding your opponent in a position of danger (any position where the elbow, shoulder, or head of the opponent are in contact with the mat while being exposed) WITH CONTROL.

 -Again, the winner of the period is the same as mentioned above. If both wrestlers are very good defensive wrestlers, whoever wins the flip first will have an advantage. This is because he will be on the bottom for the last 30 secondclinch and will receive the last point if the top wrestler can not score. Since he scored the last point in the period (assuming the score is tied, the values of the scores are equal and no cautions were awarded previously in the period) he will be the winner.

 -In Greco, if a wrestler commits a defensive leg foul in the standing position, the action will be allowed to continue (if the offensive wrestler scores and the wrestlers attain a par terre position, par terre time will be allowed to continue). After a sufficient amount of time is allowed in par terre, the match will stop. The wrestler committing the leg foul will be penalized with a caution and his opponent will receive either one point or two points (one point if the original maneuver resulted in a score and two points if the infraction prohibited the score).Wrestling, in this situation, will resume in a standing position. The offensive wrestler will not be given a choice in terms of position. If they are in PT score the points (if scored) asses the caution and 1 or 2 and put them back in PT. If they are in a Greco clinch and the bottom man fouls ....score points assess the caution and 1 or 2 points and put them back in clinch.  The clinch is defined as maintaining a reverse gut lock during one of the 30 second periods.  Therefore, if red is in a reverse gut lock during one of the 30 second periods, lifts blue, and blue commits a leg foul during the lift and red fails to score due to the infraction, blue will receive a caution, red will receive two points, and the clinch will be ordered again.  However, if red still scores from the lift after blue’s infraction, a caution will be given to blue, red will receive the points from the move and one point due to blue’s caution, and par terre will be ordered in this situation.  A wrestler can only score once from the clinch position.  Once a wrestler abandons the reverse gut lock, he is no longer in the “clinch” position.  Therefore, any leg fouls or infractions in this situation would only result in attaining a PT position.   Further, if the wrestlers go out of bounds after the clinch has been abandoned, wrestling will be ordered to occur in the standing position.

 -If a wrestler commits an illegal maneuver while in the down position in par terre, the move will be allowed to continue. If following the completion of the move or lack thereof (the infraction prohibited the move), the match will be stopped. If the move resulted in points, they will be scored. A caution will be given to the penalized wrestler and the offensive wrestler will receive either one or two points as stated above. Wrestling will re-start in a par terre position with a normal “hands on back” starting position.

 -Further, at anytime during a Greco period, if a wrestler is on their back/in danger and they make no clear effort to stay on the mat, the offensive wrestler will receive two points and the bottom wrestler will receive a caution. Regular par terre will also be ordered in this circumstance.   However, if the wrestlers go out of bounds and one wrestler is on their back but did not flee the mat, no cautions or points will be involved and wrestling will resume in a standing position.

 -If the defensive wrestler attains a “pike” position (being lifted in a head-down position) at any point in a Greco period, wrestling will be immediately stopped.  If it occurred during normal wrestling, a normal par terre position will be ordered.  If it occurs during the 30 second clinch period and no points have been rewarded for a clinch, the clinch position will be re-ordered.  If someone has scored from the clinch when the pike position occurs, a normal par terre position will be ordered for the remainder of the 30 second session.

 -Since the two-thirty second periods are a part of the normal Greco period, slips do exist throughout the period.

 -In Greco-Roman wrestling, all throws must be completed with both wrestlers in contact.  Therefore, the throwing wrestler must follow his opponent to the mat.   If the throwing wrestler does not accompany his opponent to the mat, he will be penalized with a caution and the defensive wrestler will receive a point.  Wrestling will resume in a standing position.

 -A correct throw is defined as one wrestler altering the position of his opponent from one distinct point to another distinct point while showing correct technique (usually seen as a lift with a good arching motion).  In this situation, the opponent being thrown must not have exposed himself during the move.  The throwing wrestler will be rewarded one point.  This is true in both styles of wrestling but is much more evident in Greco during the special 30 second clinches.

 -Any lift from par terre in which the defensive wrestler loses contact with the mat, is controlled by the lifting wrestler, and is thrown in a matter that describes a broadly sweeping curve (defensive man’s hips above the offensive man’s hips) is considered a grand amplitude throw.  If the defensive man lands in danger (elbow, shoulder, or head hits the mat while being exposed), the throwing wrestler will be rewarded 5 points.  However, if the wrestler being thrown completes a full revolution in the air and lands belly-down, the throwing wrestler will only receive three points.  In this latter circumstance, the throw may look to be an extremely good throw; however, to receive 5 points, the defensive wrestler must land in danger.  I am emphasizing this point because this is a common argument brought by coaches to the officials. 

-As with the old rules, if the wrestlers are on the mat or stuck in a "stalemate" situation (basically, if one wrestler was given sufficient time to score and is not in a clear position to score) wrestling will be stopped and the wrestlers will start in neutral again. There is not, and has never been a specific amount of time regarding this rule. Coaches have been under the misconception that after one wrestler has been in control for ~15 seconds that the matched should be stopped.  Officials should not stop the match when a wrestler is actively trying to score.  The match should only be stopped once a wrestler is stagnant for a short period of time.

 -Article 40, page 36 of the USA Wrestling rule book has always emphasized that coaches can only coach their athlete, not the officials.  Therefore, the coach is strictly not allowed to question the opinion of a certain call or the official in general.  Further, they are not allowed to yell what they think should be the proper call for a move.  The coaches are in no position to influence an official.  Kids tournaments, from an official’s perspective, are very frustrating and very long to complete because parents and coaches, with no officiating experience, think they know everything about Freestyle and Greco-roman wrestling.   This is not folkstyle.  The rules are different and coaches must make an effort to understand the rules.  If you don’t understand the rules, calmly ask the official what the call is and why he/she called it.   The official should give you their best explanation in a professional manner.  However, when the coach or parent starts to become derogatory or belligerent, yellow and red cards may be given.  Absolutely no swearing will be allowed when a conference is being held.

-Further, the coaches must understand that the main substance of the rules will not change dramatically. However, they may be tinkered with (and probably will be until the 2008 Olympics). These rules have been altered 5 or 6 times since  their conception following the 2004 Olympics. Therefore, coaches must not get frustrated if the rules and/or their interpretation change with time. Further, the USA Wrestling rule book is a good general resource for an idea of the new rules and what they are, but it is outdated (even the most recent book) and does not explain the philosophy or interpretation of the rules whatsoever.

 Classification points: These may change.  There is a conflict in what was done in Las Vegas and what is present in the FILA rule book.

 -Fall: 5 points winner, 0 points loser

-Tech Fall: (obtained by one wrestler winning two periods by two different 6 point differentials) 4 points winner, 0 points (if losing wrestler failed to score) or 1 point if the loser did score at least one point

-Decision: 3 points winner, 0 or 1 point to loser

-Injury Default: 4 points winner, 0 points loser (do not ask me why the winning wrestler does not get the same classification points as a pin

 I realize this may seem like a lot to digest. However, it will be a lot more fluid in real wrestling than it is on paper. Also, this is also a learning experience for the officials. Please be patient and understanding during the state and nationaltournament series. Feel free to direct any questions you have regarding these changes to ccgoessl@yahoo.com. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks.

 Casey Goessl

USA Wrestling and FILA Mat Official

Article from USA Wrestling

Age-group wrestlers to use new FILA rules this year

By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling

The rules of international wrestling changed after the 2004 Olympic Games. FILA, the international wrestling federation, made many adjustments to the Olympic styles in many ways, including the structure of each match and how competitions are conducted.

Under the new rules, an athlete must win two of the three periods of a match to claim a victory. The overall score of the match no longer matters. The structure is similar to a tennis match, with each period just like a set in tennis. Once a wrestler wins two periods, the match is completed.

Included in the changes was a revision of a Greco-Roman match, where there is now wrestling on the mat (called par terre) in each period. The first half of the period is contested on the feet. Each wrestler is placed on the bottom position for 30 seconds, with a new Greco-Roman clinch using a reverse lift.

Freestyle wrestling has a new clinch position, where one athlete secures a single leg lock from the feet, with the opponent in a defensive position only if a period ends scoreless. There is also a new rule in both styles where a point is awarded to the opponent when an athlete steps out of bounds when wrestling on their feet. An athlete wins a period as a technical fall if he or she scores six points more than the opponent. Also, a five-point throw automatically wins a period. If a period ends as a tie, there are specific tie-breaking rules to determine who wins the period.

Last year, USA Wrestling’s age-group wrestling programs did not use these new FILA international rules, except for in tournaments that were qualifiers for international competitions. America’s youth still competed in the old international rules, in many of the local, regional and national competitions last season.

Starting in 2005-06, USA Wrestling age-group competitions in the international styles will all be contested with the new FILA rules. This will be something different for many involved in youth wrestling, including coaches, athletes, referees, tournament officials and fans.

The new rules will be in affect at major competitions such as the ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet Nationals, the Kids National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championships, the National Dual Meet Championships and the USA Wrestling Regional Championships.

USA Wrestling’s national coaches wish to remind everybody that while the structure of matches may have changed, that the wrestling is still wrestling. There is no reason for coaches and athletes to worry about the changes. The skills that are required to succeed in wrestling remain the same, and the transition to the new rules should be smooth once the coaches and athletes give them a try.

With the freestyle and Greco-Roman season coming up soon, coaches, athletes and club administrators should get a copy of the new rules and read them closely to get a better knowledge of how the rules are being implemented. Anybody who is interested in learning the rules can download a copy of the official new FILA rules as a PDF file from TheMat.com (www.themat.com). Just click on the link entitled Officials Association, and you will be sent to the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association site, where the PDF file is posted.

In addition, the FILA website also has considerable information on any of the current modifications of these rules. Just visit www.fila-wrestling.com, and click on the British flag in the upper left hand side to get the English version.  Go to the section labeled “Wrestling” on the left hand side and review and print those documents. This material will give you a good working knowledge of the rules and assist with the assimilation of the rules into the practice room.

USA Wrestling’s National Coaches Education Program is planning to have a video available on the new rules which should assist youth programs in understanding and adjusting to the new rules. There will be ongoing education provided by USA Wrestling to assist in the transition,

Coaches and parents should note that USA Wrestling has some modifications to the international rules for the younger age groups here in the USA. In particular, for the clinch in Greco-Roman, the top wrestler must begin the reverse body lock with both of his/her knees on the mat.   It was felt that with the variations of athletes in regard to strength, this modification would better prepare athletes to learn the proper techniques.

USA Wrestling will soon be publishing its annual Rulebook and Guide to Wrestling, with the official rules of wrestling as provided by FILA with USA Wrestling modifications.  The Rulebook and Guide contains information on the various bracketing styles used in the United States and guidelines on conducting events from the aspect of pairings and flow of the event.  The new rulebook should be available by late January, and will be distributed free of charge to all USA Wrestling Chartered clubs, member coaches and member officials.

Certainly, one of the positions that coaches and their athletes must concentrate in their training is the new clinches in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. These positions take on a very important role in many matches, especially close bouts. In every Greco-Roman match, each wrestler will get an opportunity to secure a reverse lift in par terre, and every wrestler must also defend against the reverse lift. In freestyle, athletes and coaches must spend time finishing the takedown from the leg hold in the clinch, as well as defending with the leg secured from the clinch. Mastering these positions often means the difference between winning and losing under the new rules.

There are certain strategies that coaches and athletes must learn under the new rules. With the six-point technical fall possibility in each period, a wrestler will have to compete differently than in the past. Also, wrestling on the feet is very important in freestyle, because there is no forced par terre, and when athletes step out of bounds, the wrestling remains on the feet.

It is also a great idea to watch as much Senior-level international wrestling as possible, to see how the elite athletes are competing under the new rules. If there is a Senior-level tournament in your area, especially a national championship or international competition, you can learn so much by being a spectator and attending the event. In addition, a number of USA Wrestling events will be posted on the internet on LiveSportsVideo.com, which allows you to see the nation’s top wrestlers using the new rules. In addition, USA Wrestling’s National Coaches Education Program often produces and sells highlight videos from major Senior-level events, another chance to see the new rules in competition.

With the amount of published materials available, video resources and Senior-level competitions to review, coaches, athletes and officials should become comfortable with the implementation of the new rules. As with any style of wrestling, regardless of the level, the more time and effort that you put into the new rules, the higher level of success you will achieve on the mat. If you understand the scoring system, practice the new positions, research and develop new strategies and study the elite wrestlers using the new rules, the change to the new rules in age-group competition should be successful.

USA Wrestling will monitor age-group wrestling this year, to determine how the transition is progressing and if there needs to be additional modifications. Input from coaches and team leaders is very important in this process. Any feedback or comments about the rule changes on the age group level should be directed to USA Wrestling Director of State Services Mark A. Scott via email at MAScott@usawrestling.org, and it will be provide to the appropriate committees for review.  In addition, it is important to stay current on any updates and news concerning the rules by regularly visiting TheMat.com.

Participating in international-style wrestling continues to be a tremendous opportunity for young wrestlers to learn the sport, improve their skills and receive outstanding competition. Once athletes and coaches have experience in training and competing in the new rules, it will quickly become just another form of wrestling to master and enjoy.

Attend Coaches Education clinics?

Video Tapes?

Wisconsin Wrestling Federation