Rules & Regulations
2026-27 NFHS Rule Changes
1-5-1, 2 — Modified a minimal body fat percentage for female wrestlers.
4-2-6 — Clarified a comprehensive description of an intraoral mouth and tooth protector.
4-5-1 — Modified the process of weighing-in contestants.
5-24-4b — Clarified when a certain potential stalling situation hold is applied on the edge of the mat.
5-28-3, 8-2-7 — Modified the definition of recovery time.
7-6-3 — Clarified four additional elements of stalling.
1-4-3, 5-3-1-5, 10-3-1-5 — Modified how the use of byes affects bracketing in tournaments, round robin, pool play and scramble events.
Referee Signals Additions:
Official Wrestling Signals – Clarified how to signal stalling when the opponent is pushed out of bounds.
Official Wrestling Signals – Clarified how to signal stalling when opponent is pulled out of bounds.
Official Wrestling Signals – Clarified how to signal stalling when opponent is backing out of bounds.
Official Wrestling Signal – Clarified how to signal when wrestling action is continuing after going out of bounds.
Diet & Nutrition Materials
The Wrestler's Diet booklet - Print and distribute to your wrestlers
What is Wrestling Minimum Weight?
Girls Wrestling
Coaches are asked to enter minimum weight data for female wrestlers in the girls season in USA Bracketing. Girls-only events will use the girls season.
12 Weight Classes – 100, 107, 114, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 165, 185, 235.
Minimum Weight & Skinfold Materials
New Skinfold Measurement Recording Form (replacing physical triplicates starting 2026/27 season)
Coach/AD Minimum Weight Information
Skinfold Measurers List for 2026-27
Hydrostatic Weighing Appeal Information - *Please note - we now have 2 locations available - UW-LaCrosse and UW-Eau Claire
Officials Resource Information
2025-26 Cut Backs Presentation (added 11/25)
2025-26 NFHS POE Illustrations: (updated 11/25)
- A Wrestling Official's Top Ten List for Success
- NFHS Weekly Interpretation #1 (10/22/25)
- NFHS Weekly Interpretation #3 (11/6/25)
- NFHS Weekly Interpretation #2 (10/29/25)
- NFHS Weekly Interpretation #5 (11/19/25)
- NFHS Weekly Interpretation #6 (11/26/25)
- NFHS Weekly Interpretation #9 (12/17/25)
- NFHS Weekly Interpretations #8 (12/10/25)
- NFHS Weekly Interpretations #10 (1/7/26)
- NFHS Weekly Interpretations #12 (1/21/26)
- NFHS Weekly Interpretations #13 (1/28/26)
- NFHS Locking Hands A | NFHS Locking Hands B | NFHS Locking Hands C
- NFHS Locking Hands - Illegal or Legal
- NFHS Near Fall Circle POC
- NFHS Near Fall Criteria A | NFHS Near Fall Criteria B
- NFHS Near Fall Inbounds A | NFHS Near Fall Inbounds B | NFHS Near Fall Inbounds C
- NFHS Neutral Circle POC
- NFHS One Point of Contact A | NFHS One Point of Contact B
- NFHS Potentially Dangerous A-Mat | NFHS Potentially Dangerous B-Standing
- NFHS Supporting Points Near Fall
2024-25 NFHS POE Illustrations:
- NFHS Arm Bar | NFHS Double Arm Bar - Updated 11/21/24
- NFHS Assassin - Kolat - Potentially Dangerous | NFHS Assassin - Kolat - Illegal
- NFHS Back Bow Far Side | NFHS Back Bow Nearside | NFHS Back Bow Crossface
- NFHS Blair Backside Tip Move
- NFHS Cut Back - Leg Block Legal | NFHS Cut Back - Leg Block Illegal
- NFHS Double Knee - Kick Back
- NFHS Front Headlock - Choke Hold | NFHS Front Headlock - Cement Mixer
- NFHS Head Trap - Knee Block
- NFHS Headlock - Illegal | NFHS Headlock - Legal
- NFHS HNC No Appropriate Health Care Professional On-Site
- NFHS HNC With Appropriate Health Care Professional
- NFHS HNC Injury Flow Chart
- NFHS Interlacing Fingers
- NFHS Locking Hands A | NFHS Locking Hands B | NFHS Locking Hands C
- NFHS Near Fall Circle POC
- NFHS Near Fall Criteria A | NFHS Near Fall Criteria B
- NFHS Near Fall Inbounds A | NFHS Near Fall Inbounds B | NFHS Near Fall Inbounds C
- NFHS Neck Wrench - Standing | NFHS Neck Wrench - Mat
- NFHS Neutral Circle POC
- NFHS Potentially Dangerous A-Mat | NFHS Potentially Dangerous B-Standing
- NFHS Salto - Illegal
- NFHS Split - Banana | NFHS Split - Legal or Illegal
- NFHS Spladle
- NFHS Stalemate
- NFHS Suplay - Illegal
2022-23 Q & A for Officials & Coaches - 1/25/23
Assistant Referee Video Record - Updated weekly - Refresh your screen for most recent data
Assistant Referee Talking Points (Overview)
Bad Time/Corrections of Errors
Blair Backside Tip (Hammerlock) - 11/30/22
Correction to Injury Time - 11/22/19
Double Knee Kickback - New 1/16/23
Female Wrestling Singlets - Legal Attire - Updated 1/25/2023
Front Head Lock - Cement Mixer - Choke Hold - New 1/3/23
Head, Neck, Cervical (HNC) Protocols - 11/15/21
Information for Medical Personnel
Interpreting the Skin Condition Medical Release
Mid-Season Q & A - Posted 1/10/2024
Regional & Sectional Tournament Q&A
Reporting to the Mat - updated 10/31/16
Sequence to Determine Whether Injured Athlete Can Continue to Participate
Special Equipment Checklist - 12/20/16
Stalling Overview - updated 10/26/17
The Assassin - Potentially Dangerous Which May Become Illegal - 11/22/19
Verbal Communication for Wrestling Referees
Weigh In Procedures - Updated 1/31/23
Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association - Aspiring Wrestling Officials Program
Assistant Referee Video
WIAA Adaptations to NFHS Rules
WIAA Adaptations to NFHS Rules - Print and place in your rules book for reference.
Wisconsin Weight Management Plan
Wisconsin wrestlers will now follow the NFHS 1.5% per week weight loss plan. Once the minimum weight for wrestlers is established, they will be allowed to lose 1.5% of their body weight to reach the minimum weight. Coaches will enter the wrestler's weigh in from each competition into USA Bracketing and a new plan might be established.
For details, click HERE. For Frequently Asked Questions, click Here.
NFHS Rules
Skinfold Measurer Information
Requirements for 2027 - This year all returning measurers must complete an online quiz prior to being listed as a certified measurer for our wrestling schools in the fall. Details will be provided approximately August 1, 2027 by email.
Our next new measurer training sessions will be held in August 2028.
Individuals who may be interested in applying for the next training will need to submit a new application to the WIAA Office beginning April 3, 2028, with a deadline of June 12, 2028.
Skinfold Measurer Application - Email a PDF to [email protected]
Wrestling Q&A
- Ear Guards & Manufacturer's Logo
- Weight Class Eligibility when utilizing the Consecutive Day Allowance
- Wrestling & Masks
- Wrestling Multiple Matches & Uniforms
- Shoelaces - One more time!
- Two Pound Allowance
- Wrong Wrestlers Compete
- Perimeter Near Fall - Two questions
- Shoelaces
- Ear Guards
- Sleeves
- Wrestling Injury - Recovery Time
- Shoelaces - Updated 11/22/19
- Supporting Points Q&A
- Legal Application of a Backbow
- Neutral Position False Starts and Recovery Time
- Handling Blood Time
- Listing Wrestlers on Weigh-in Sheet
- Weigh-in Sheets at Individually Bracketed Tournaments
- Copies of the Weigh-in Sheets
- Eligible Weight Class When Reporting to the Mat
- Weigh-In Report & Eligible Weight Class
- NF Situation - Multiple Mats
- Weight Class Eligibility (3 questions)
- Arm Trap Clarification
- Eye Wear in Wrestling
- Simultaneous Penalties in Sudden Victory Period
- Stopping Match to Clean Up Bodily Fluids
- Near Fall Criteria Directly From TD or Reversal
- Byes
- Does the wrestler have control?
- Skin Forms on Tablets
- Difference between Default and Forfeit
- Random Draw - JV & Varsity
- Coaching Out of Season: Greco-Roman and Free Style
- Concussion Return to Competition/Practice - UPDATED
- Warm Ups Before Weigh Ins
- Overweight at Weigh In
- Lowering Singlet Straps
- Tape on Head Gear
- Report Error Prior to the Start of a Match
- Jurisdiction of Referee & Off Mat Official
- Coaches at Pre-meet Coin Toss
- Simultaneously Stalling Penalized - Next Restart
- LAT and Skin Conditions
- Choice During Tiebreaker
- Forfeit Eligibility
Wrestling Injury Time
The NFHS wrestling rules committee has adopted the WIAA modification to injury time-outs regarding injuries to the head and neck involving cervical column, nervous system, and/or concussion as an NFHS wrestling rule. The rule was modified to five minutes.
The rule allows more time to evaluate potential concussions and injury to neck and cervical column when an appropriate health-care provider is present. If appropriate health-care provider is not present, the regular injury time is used. It can only be used once to avoid fake injuries. It cannot be used for any other types of injuries. An additional five minutes is reasonable and has worked well in Wisconsin.
Read the article HERE.
Wisconsin Weight Management Plan
Wisconsin wrestlers will now follow the NFHS 1.5% per week weight loss plan. Once the minimum weight for wrestlers is established, they will be allowed to lose 1.5% of their body weight to reach the minimum weight. Coaches will enter the wrestler's weigh in from each competition into USA Bracketing and a new plan might be established.
For details, click HERE. For Frequently Asked Questions, click Here.