2008-09 NFHS Wrestling Rules Changes

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™

National Federation of StateHigh School Associations

2008-09 NFHS

Wrestling Rules Changes

Michigan Rule Interpretations Mark Uyl, MHSAA Assistant Director

[email protected]• Mark McClenathan, MHSAA Wrestling Rule

Interpreter

[email protected]• Phil Westheimer, MHSAA Wrestling Rule

Interpreter

[email protected]

NF Rule Resources- www.nfhs.org

Remember In Michigan…. The competitor’s uniform must be school

issued. The uniform may only be personalized with

the wrestler’s given last name and weight class, only.

The uniform may not be personalized, adorned, or altered in any other way, shape or form.

Female Wrestlers For female wrestlers to be legal wearing a

traditional singlet, a tight fitting, short-sleeved undershirt of a single solid color (unadorned) OR a female style singlet (high cut) must be worn under that style singlet.

A sports bra only worn under the traditional singlet with no tight fitting undershirt as described above would not comply with the requirements of a legal uniform.

Offensive Starting Position SequenceRule 5-20-5 NOTE (NEW)



2008-09 Wrestling

Points of Emphasis

WRESTLER A1 MUST GO DIRECTLY TO THE MATAFTER REPORTING TO THE SCORER’S TABLE



2008-09 Wrestling

Rules Reminders

Rule 4-2-6

Rule 5-20-6



MHSAA Updates and Reminders2008-09 Season

Weigh In Example #1 A meet is scheduled for Thursday but one school has

a snow day on Wednesday and cannot practice. If the competing schools are conducting a shoulder-to-shoulder weigh-in, then each team would get one additional pound for Thursday. If the competing schools are conducting a home weigh-in, then the schools must weigh-in either on Wednesday after 3 pm or on Thursday after 7 am. Each team would get the extra pound as the practice the day before the meet was cancelled due to inclement weather as long as proper prior notification took place.

Weigh In Example #2 A meet is scheduled for Thursday but a snow

day cancels the meet and it has been rescheduled for Friday. If the competing schools are conducting a shoulder-to-shoulder weigh-in, each team would get one additional pound for Friday. If the competing schools are conducting a home weigh-in, then the schools must weigh-in either on Thursday after 3 pm or on Friday after 7 am. Each team would get the extra pound as the meet was postponed due to inclement weather.

Weigh In Example #3 A bad snowstorm hits and a meet for Tuesday

has been pushed back to Wednesday, but schools do not reopen until Thursday (neither team practices on Tuesday or Wednesday). For Thursday’s meet, each school will get one pound for the inclement weather- if multiple days of bad weather cancel practices or meets, the maximum allowance under 4-5-5 is one pound, and one pound only.

Rule 4-4-3 Reminder Remember that the use of sweat boxes,

saunas, hot showers, whirlpools, rubber/vinyl/plastic-type suits or similar artificial heating devices are prohibited and shall disqualify an individual from competition or practice. The use of diuretics or other methods of quick weight reduction are also prohibited.

Coaches, officials and administrators must report and penalize these types of activities as they have no place in school-sponsored wrestling programs.

Tournament Groupings Please go the MHSAA website to review all

groupings and locations for the 2008-09 MHSAA Team and Individual wrestling tournaments.

Team Districts & Regional Draw Divisions 1 & 3 will compete on Wednesday,

February 18. Divisions 2 & 4 will compete on Thursday,

February 19.

Regional Pairings Lowest District vs. 2nd Highest District Highest District vs. 2nd Lowest District

Team Finals For the first time, the 2009 Team WR Finals

will be seeded. In each division, the top 4 teams will be

seeded by a seeding committee comprised of 12 individuals comprised of wrestling coaches and athletic directors (with wrestling backgrounds).

Once the top four seeds have been identified, the remaining four Team Finalists will be drawn into the bracket.

Team Quarterfinals & Semifinals (March 6-7)

Quarterfinals- Friday, March 6 QF 1- Seed #1 vs. Draw #4 QF 2- Seed #4 vs. Draw #1 QF 3- Seed #3 vs. Draw #2 QF 4- Seed #2 vs. Draw #3

Semifinals- Saturday, March 7• QF 1 vs. QF 2• QF 3 vs. QF 4

Seeding Criteria The committee will assess the credentials of

each team. In resolving issues, the following criteria will be used:

1) Head-to-head competition; if tied, the most recent winner prevails.

2) Record against common opponents.

3) A team with an exceptional record vs. acknowledged strong opposition.

4) Majority decision of the seeding committee.

Seeding Process For a Team Finalist to receive seeding

consideration, a school must submit the new TEAM SEASON SUMMARY form (MHSAA website) to the MHSAA by noon on Thursday, Feb. 26, the day following the Team Regional.

The seeding committee members will be sent all paperwork and information by Friday, February 27.

A conference call of the seeding committee will be held on Sunday, March 1 where the pairings will be set (4 seeded teams, 4 drawn teams).

Team Pairings Set The Team Finals pairings will be posted on

the MHSAA website by 5:00 pm on Sunday, March 1.

The Quarterfinal rounds of wrestling will take place on the following Friday, March 6, at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.

Seeding Committee The MHSAA will seek assistance from the

MWA for members to serve on this committee. If a coach or AD is on the seeding committee, and their school advances to the Finals, then that person will be eliminated from the committee for that year.

The goal of this new approach is to increase interest and excitement as the Team tournament builds toward the Final round on Saturday, March 7.

Team Finals Schedule Friday, March 6- Quarterfinals

1:00 PM- Division 3

3:15 PM- Division 1

5:30 PM- Division 4

7:45 PM- Division 2• Saturday, March 7- Semifinals & Finals

9:30 AM- Divisions 1 & 3

11:45 AM- Divisions 2 & 4

Finals- 4:00 PM

Team Finals Hotel Information Divisions 1, 2 and 3 will be housed at the Mc

Camly Plaza Hotel. Division 4 will be housed at the Holiday Inn-

Battle Creek at the intersection of M66 and I-94.

All teams that qualify for the Team Finals must complete the Team Housing form on the MHSAA website to be assigned housing by the MHSAA.

MRSA Resources The MHSAA has posted a power point on

MRSA, along with information regarding mat cleaning products and techniques. It is on the Wrestling page of the MHSAA website.

The MHSAA has received inquiries on the Sterilaser, which was used on all mats at the Individual Finals last year at the Palace. Information on the Sterilaser is also available in this power point.

The MHSAA has other MRSA information and resources available- contact the office for more information.

Home Weigh-In The MHSAA Representative Council engaged

in a lengthy discussion at the May meeting on the advantages and disadvantages of the home weigh-in versus the onsite shoulder-to shoulder process during regular season competition.

The Council’s concerns will be taken to the Wrestling Committee in January where it will extensively review weigh-in policies and procedures for the regular season.

Please share any input with the MHSAA on this topic prior to January 1.

Coaches- NWCA The Weight Monitoring Program will be

administered once again by the NWCA website (www.nwcaonline.com). Login information will be sent to schools in mid-October, along with information regarding the annual nutritional exam.

Midseason Meeting The annual midseason meeting for wrestling

officials will be held on Sunday, January 11 at 11:00 am (note the new starting time). This meeting will be held at the MHSAA office building.

Decision Making Process The MHSAA Wrestling Committee meets in

late January. Any proposals or discussion items must be

submitted to the MHSAA by December 15. Representative Council takes action upon all

committee recommendations at the May Council meeting.

Changes implemented for 2009-2010 season.

Out-Of-Season PrinciplesNo mandatory activitiesNo school transportationNo school uniforms-warmups

• Including reversible jerseys with school name/nickname and in school colors

No school general funds

Summer Competition Limits 15 days with students from their school

district Grades 7-12 if teams involve more than the following number of players:• Soccer & Lacrosse – 7

• Basketball, Ice Hockey, Volleyball – 3

Out-Of-Season During School YearThree-Player Rule

• From Monday of week of Aug. 15 to last day of school year for that school

• School coaches are prohibited from coaching at one time more than three students of grades 7-12 from their district

• Applies to all levels and both genders(i.e. Varsity boys coach limited to 3 players from sub-varsity girls team outside of girls season)

When – Pre-Season Down TimeFall Sports - Aug. 1 to first

practiceWinter - 14 days prior to first

practiceSpring - March 1 to first

practice

What – Pre-Season Down TimeNon Sport Specific

Conditioning OKThree-player rule skill work

OKNo open gyms, camps, clinics

What – Summer Dead Period

• Zero Player Rule - NO planned coach contact

• NO coach contact with students in sports grades 7-12 (anywhere)

• NO camps, clinics, sport activities at school facilities

When – Summer Dead Period7 days selected by each

schoolSame 7 days for all sportsDo you know when your

school’s 2009 Summer Dead Period is?

Sportsmanship – Official’s Feedback Officials will go online to provide

sportsmanship feedback on each school they work

Feedback is to be left only once – regardless of the number of games worked involving that school

Designed to be an internal tool for schools to identify positive and negative sportsmanship trends

Sportsmanship – Official’s FeedbackFeedback to be provided on:

• Student-Athletes

• Coaching Staff

• Home Game Management• Officials will select Greatly or Exceeded

Expectations, Met Expectations, Below or Well Below Expectations

• Spectator-specific issues• If YES, officials will be prompted to complete an

Officials Report Form

Sportsmanship – Official’s FeedbackSummaries will not be made

public by the MHSAAMHSAA will continue to send

letters praising schools with no negative Officials Reports and encouraging schools with more than three such reports

Sports Conflicts With Testing Dates• ACT – SAT – Michigan Merit

• Avoid conflicts with MHSAA tournaments – notify students athletes well in advance so they may schedule earlier

• Dates listed in May and Aug./Sept. Bulletin, MHSAA Handbook and on MHSAA.COM

Officials Online ExaminationsOptional 30-question

rules/mechanics examResults will be provided to

assignment committees

2008-09 NFHS Wrestling Rules Changes

Documents

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