Boys Wrestling Rules & Regulations

1-2-2: Dual Meet

ART. 2 . . . Competition in dual meets shall be conducted by random draw of weight classes, or lowest weight to heaviest. In multi-dual events, the sequence determined by the draw will be followed for that day's subsequent meet competition; the subsequent dual meet shall begin one weight class beyond the starting weight class of the previous round. The following procedure shall be used for the optional random draws:

a. The random draw shall take place immediately preceding weigh-ins.
b. The referee or other authorized person shall supervise the random draw.
c. Subsequent matches will follow in sequential order.

Rationale: The NFHS already permits states to select from three different weight class categories. This proposed change aligns with that flexibility, allowing states to choose how to determine the starting weight class for dual meets. Just as states currently can select a weight class category, they should also have the option to start duals at the lowest weight class and proceed sequentially, while remaining compliant with NFHS rules.

4-1-2: Wrestlers’ Uniform

ART. 2 . . . Effective July 1, 2027, the school's name, school nickname, school logo, school mascot, weight classification and/or the wrestler's name are permitted on the uniform top and/or bottom. Any manufacturer logo/trademark/reference that appears on the wrestling uniform, including legal hair covering can be no more than 2 1/4 square inches with no dimension more than 2 1/4 inches and may appear no more than once on each item of uniform apparel. No additional manufacturer's logo/trademark/or promotional reference shall be allowed on the wrestling uniform.

Rationale: This is a universal rule adaptation by every NFHS Rules Committee to be uniformed for every NFHS rule publication.

4-3-5: Special Equipment

ART. 5 . . . Wrestlers shall not wear wristbands, sweatbands, bicep bands or leg or arm sleeves that do not contain a pad during a match.

Rationale: We allow wrestlers to wear tights on both legs and that is no different than a sleeve on one leg. Requiring a pad on these sleeves serves no purpose other than more equipment monitoring for the officials. Manufacturers produce knee sleeves that are just the same and add a separate knee pad, and it has no negative effect on the opponent. Requiring a pad in leg sleeves is unnecessary.

5-11-2c; 5-11-4b: Technical Fall

ART. 2 . . . A near fall occurs when the offensive wrestler has control of the opponent in a pinning situation and near-fall criteria are met for a period of two seconds or longer. (Photos 5-6)

a.- b. Remain the same.

c. A near fall is ended when the defensive wrestler gets out of a pinning situation. The referee must not signal the score for a near fall until the situation is ended and only one near fall shall be scored in each pinning situation, regardless of number of times the offensive wrestler places an opponent in the near-fall position criteria during the pinning situation. If the near-fall creates a 15-point advantage, the match shall continue until the near-fall criteria is no longer met. Conclusion of the near-fall criteria is immediate.

d.- i. Remain the same.

Rationale: This rule change would define when a technical fall shall be awarded and eliminate any confusion between a pinning situation and near-fall criteria.

ART. 4 . . . A technical fall occurs when a wrestler has earned a 15-point advantage over the opponent, however;

a. if a takedown or reversal, straight to a near-fall criteria creates a 15-point advantage, the match shall continue until the near-fall criteria is no longer met. Conclusion of the near-fall criteria is immediate.

b. once the technical fall has been earned, the offensive wrestler cannot lose the match. If a near-fall creates a 15-point advantage, the match shall continue until the near-fall criteria is no longer met. Conclusion of the near-fall criteria is immediate.

Rationale: This rule change will clarify when a match shall be stopped to award the technical fall. By adding the near-fall to this rule it will make consistent with the takedown or reversal that creates the 15-point advantage.

7-1-5n: Illegal Holds/Maneuvers

n. leg block (cut-back) when leaving the feet and using the foot or leg to "cut out" an opponent’s leg, to include from the rear-standing position.

Rationale: This rule change seeks to clarify language regarding the leg block or "cut-back". When applied the move/maneuver can cause significant injury to the defensive wrestler lower extremities. Other rules code language clarifies it as illegal when you leave your feet, NFHS language does not.

7-3-3: Technical Violations

ART. 3 . . . Interlocking or overlapping the hands, fingers or arms around the opponent's body (with or without an extremity arm included) or both legs by a wrestler in the advantage position, unless the opponent has all the weight supported entirely by the feet or has lifted the opponent off the mat or the opponent has met near-fall criteria, is a technical violation and the penalty point(s) shall be awarded in addition to points earned. (When bringing your opponent to the mat, hands overlapping or interlocking beyond reaction time is a technical violation.) (Photos 103-106)

Rationale: Locking hands and including a leg in the clasp around the trunk of the body is the same as locking hands with an arm included.

Official Wrestling Signals:

(#3) Remove Officials’ Time-out signal.

Rationale: It is an irrelevant signal, that the high school wrestling community does utilize to signal time-out.

(#9) Change direction of arrows in Indicate No Control to left and right instead of circular.

Rationale: Clarification. The circular motion is incorrect.

(#21) Modify the existing three-finger in the near-fall signal – the three fingers should be signaled like the "OK" sign.

Rationale: This was the recommendation from the NFHS Wrestling Officials Sub-Committee. The goal was to remove signals that are no longer used and clarify the proper signal mechanics being used nationwide.

The Wrestler's Diet booklet - Print and distribute to your wrestlers

Nutrition Diary Information

Weight Loss Information

High Carb Menus - for 2025-26

Five Minute Meals - for 2025-26

Sports Nutrition Quiz - for 2025-26

What is Wrestling Minimum Weight? - for 2024-25

Sodium Information - for 2024-25

Making the Concession Stand Wrestler Friendly - for 2024-25

The Wrestler's Beverage Guide - for 2023-24

Sensible Snacking - for 2023-24

Fast-food Alternatives - for 2023-24

Cooler Tips for Tournaments - for 2023-24

Bulking Up With Protein - for 2022-23

Sports Nutrition and Water - for 2022-23

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.

Please complete the following survey to identify any Girls-only events you are hosting for 2025-26: WI Girls Tournament Event Survey | WI Girls Dual Events Survey       

2025-26 Girls Tournament Event Submissions | 2025-26 Girls Dual Event Submissions  - Updated based on submissions to above surveys

NFHS Best Practices for Coaching Girl Wrestlers

NFHS Uniform Guide for Female Wrestlers

Parent Permission Form

Participation Release Form for Skin Lesion

Skin Condition Video

Medical Personnel Information

Sports Safety Information

Sports Hygiene

Hydration for Athletes

MRSA in Sports

Sequence to Determine Whether Injured Athlete May Continue to Participate

Coach/AD Minimum Weight Information - Updated 10/25

Wrestling Preseason Reminders - Updated 10/25

Covid Considerations for Measurements and Weigh-ins 

Skinfold Test Preparations

Skinfold Measurers List for 2025-26 - Updated 10/25

Hydration Guidelines

Hydration Testing Information

Hydrostatic Weighing Appeal Information - *Please note - we now have 2 locations available - UW-LaCrosse and UW-Eau Claire

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

Blood Spills

Blood Time 

Correction to Injury Time - 11/22/19

Concussions and the Referee

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

Locked Hands or Not?

Mid-Season Q & A - Posted 1/10/2024

Regional & Sectional Tournament Q&A

Reporting to the Mat - updated 10/31/16

Role of the Off-Mat Official 

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 - Print and place in your rules book for reference.

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.