REPORT OF THE NCAA WRESTLING RULES COMMITTEE APRIL 10-12, 2013, MEETING

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1 REPORT OF THE NCAA WRESTLING RULES COMMITTEE APRIL 10-12, 2013, MEETING ACTION ITEMS. 1. Legislative Items. The NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee approved the following rules change proposals for the and seasons. a. Mat Specification (Rule 1.8). (1) Recommendation. Add: The matted apron around the wrestling area shall extend at least five feet between out-of-bounds lines when two mats are side-by-side and at least five feet from the out-of-bounds line and any obstruction such as a table, bleachers or walls. (3) Rationale. Prevents placement of multiple mats without minimum clearance for obstacles. Member institutions currently have mat aprons. In multiple team events, floor space may need to be reconfigured to accommodate the five-foot requirements. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances student-athlete safety. b. Institutional Game-Management Responsibility (Rule 1.9). (1) Recommendation. Add: Photographers using still or motion devices, excluding official video review equipment, shall not be permitted within five feet of the edge of the wrestling mat. (3) Rationale: Enhances the safety of wrestlers and photographers. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances student-athlete safety.

2 Page No. 2 c. Ear Protection (Rule ). (1) Recommendation. Add: The use of tape or decals on the headgear is prohibited. Clean, fresh tape is permissible on the headgear if used for medical purposes only. Note: This change is pending approval from NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS). (3) Rationale: Prohibits use of tape/decals on headgear that could harbor and spread contagions. Manufacturers of headgear make it with strap connector, which is better for the image of the sport. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances student-athlete well-being. d. Neutral Starting Position (Rule 2.1.1). (1) Recommendation. In matches involving vision-impaired wrestlers, a finger-touch method shall be used in the neutral position, and contact shall be maintained throughout the match. At the time of medical examinations/skin checks, the coach or medical personnel shall provide written documentation from a physician (ophthalmologist or optometrist) identifying the impairment. (See WI Rule ) Note: This change is pending approval from CSMAS. (3) Rationale: Addresses procedure to verify impairment. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. None. e. Wrestling Positions In Bounds (Rule 2.4). (1) Recommendation. When the defensive wrestler s back is exposed to the mat in a pinning situation while any part of either wrestler is in bounds, wrestling shall continue as long as there is a possibility of the offensive wrestler bringing the opponent back in bounds near-fall points may be

3 Page No. 3 earned or a fall called if any part of the defensive wrestler s pinning area is in bounds. (3) Rationale: Creates more action and scoring at the edge of the mat. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances the student-athlete experience. f. Scoring Opportunities - Takedown (Rule 2.6). (1) Recommendation. A takedown shall be awarded when, from the neutral position, a contestant gains control by taking the opponent down to the mat in bounds. and beyond reaction time. If the defensive wrestler s hand comes in contact with the mat When a significant portion of the defensive wrestler s weight is borne on a hand(s), it is considered control. (3) Rationale: Creates more scoring and eliminates reaction time. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances the student-athlete experience. g. Coaches Attire (Rule 3.4.2). (1) Recommendation. The wearing of jeans, T-shirts, sweatsuits shirts/sweatpants and non-institutional logoed warm-up suits (top and/or bottom), headwear, and similar apparel is not suitable attire for coaches during dual and tournament competition and, therefore, these items are prohibited. Institutional logoed tops/jackets are permissible. (3) Rationale: Clarification that is good for the image of the sport. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

4 Page No. 4 h. Breaking Ties in Dual Meets and Team-Advancement Tournaments (Rule 3.15). (1) Recommendation. When two teams finish in a tie in a dual meet or a team-advancement tournament, the following criteria shall be applied to determine a winner: (a) (b) (c) (d) Greater number of victories. Note: Forfeits, defaults and disqualifications count only toward total number of victories. Combined total number of falls, and technical falls. forfeits, defaults and disqualifications. Total match points scored only from decisions, major decisions and technical falls. First takedown. (3) Rationale: Redefines and clarifies criteria for breaking ties in dual meet competition. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. None. i. Tournament Administration (New Rule ). (1) Recommendation. All team advanced and individual advancement tournaments, including open tournaments, shall follow all NCAA rules and requirements listed in the NCAA Rules and Interpretations book. Any tournament found not following the rules and requirements will have their event excluded as an NCAA registered contest in the Optimal Performance Calculator (OPC) the subsequent season. If the tournament is held, its results will not count on the Individual Season Record Form and will not be calculated for NCAA championship selection purposes. (3) Rationale: Ensures registered tournaments are administrated per NCAA Weight Management Program rules and requirements.

5 Page No. 5 (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances student-athlete well-being. j. Verification of Entries (Rule ). (1) Recommendation. Add: For NCAA registered individual advancement tournaments, including open tournaments, the host shall download from the OPC system the names and weight classes of all rostered wrestlers entered in the tournament. (3) Rationale: Requires director of NCAA registered tournaments to download the rostered entries to ensure the entries are entered in the proper weight class according to each wrestler s weight-loss plan. This process eliminates the need for individual advancement tournaments to collect weigh-in sheets directly from each team/individual. When building the weigh-in sheet, the coach will identify any wrestler entering the tournament as unattached; therefore, the unattached rostered wrestlers will be properly identified on the tournament bracket. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. None. k. Mat-side Video Review Error Review Request (Rule 3.21). (1) Recommendation. Mat-side video review may be used for dual competition, team advancement tournaments and individual advancement tournaments, excluding open tournaments. Designation of the official mat-side video review system shall be determined by the host institution. The host shall also determine the number of mats and the rounds the mat-side video review system will be used. The host shall provide notification to participating coaches before weigh-ins. Mat-side video review may be used to confirm or reverse any call or noncall made by the official, except a fall. The mat-side video review process operates under the assumption that the ruling on the mat is correct, and only when there is indisputable video evidence that a ruling was incorrect will a call be changed. Absent that evidence, the original ruling stands.

6 Page No. 6 Mat-side Video Review System Operator, Equipment, Location and Use The minimal required equipment includes two flags (one red and one green) at the mat-side table, a tripod and a digital video camera that has recording capabilities and is connected to a computer monitor or a TV monitor. The equipment used for the review may also be a system that integrates the time, the score and the recorded action so that all three are seen during replay of the video. If the system used does not integrate this information onto the screen, then the recorded action should include a clear view of the mat-side clock as much as possible. The mat-side video review system operator(s) shall operate the replay camera and monitor. The equipment used to review a call and the video review system operator shall be located at or next to the mat-side table. During a review, this area is restricted for all persons except the system operator and match referee(s). To ensure privacy during the review, the computer monitor or TV monitor shall be turned to face away from the mat-side table and toward the wrestling area. It is recommended that a privacy screen and/or privacy side partitions be added to the monitor. The Review The two ways a match may be stopped for a video review are by the action of the referee or by the action of the coach. (a) Referee s Action: The referee may stop a match when there is no significant action when the referee believes: 1) there is reasonable doubt that an error was made regarding timing, scoring, or the proper positioning of the wrestlers; 2) the situation is reviewable; or 3) the outcome of a review may have an impact on the result of the match. The referee should review all unsportsmanlike conduct and flagrant misconduct calls. There is no restriction on the number of times a referee may stop the match for a review and there is no time limit to conducting a review, but the referee(s) should strive for each review to be efficient and timely. (b) Coach s Challenge: Each team is allowed one challenge per dual meet, including team advancement tournaments, to be used at the coach s discretion. Each team in an individual advancement tournament, excluding open tournaments, is allowed one challenge for 1-3 participants, two challenges for 4-6 participants, and three challenges for 7-10 participants, to be used at the coach s discretion. If a

7 Page No. 7 coach s challenge is supported after the review, the team retains that challenge. If a coach believes an error was made, the coach shall immediately approach the mat-side table and raise a flag matching the color assigned to the team s corner (red or green) thereby indicating to the mat-side table scorer the request for a video challenge. This signifies the coach believes an error was made and the referee will stop the match when there is no significant action taking place to conduct the video review. Once the coach raises the flag, the challenge cannot be retracted. Wrestlers and coaches are to remain in the designated area (Restricted Zone, see Rules and ) during the review. If a coach challenges a previously made ruling on a challenge or if a coach challenges a ruling when the team s allotment of challenges has been used, the actions are considered intentional delay of the match and the coach is penalized for failure to comply. (See Rule ) In addition, a coach who challenges a fall, which is not reviewable, shall count as a challenge. The Outcome Only the referee(s) shall be immediately present at the mat-side table (no other personnel) for the review of the video replay screen. A reversal of a call or non-call shall be based only on indisputable video evidence. After the review process is complete, the head referee makes one of the following announcements: (a) (b) (c) (d) If the video evidence confirms the on-the-mat ruling, After further review, the ruling on the mat is confirmed. If there is no indisputable and conclusive evidence to reverse the original ruling, After further review, the ruling on the mat stands. If the on-the-mat ruling is reversed, After further review, the ruling is reversed. Therefore, [followed by a brief description of the impact of the ruling]. If there is no video evidence due to a system failure or operator error, the coach will retain his challenge. Any obstruction of the view on the video screen caused by participants, referee(s) or tour-

8 Page No. 8 nament personnel on the mat that does not allow for a confirmed ruling by the official shall result in a charged video challenge. If a ruling is reversed, the official scorer shall supply the referee with the following information in order for wrestling to resume under accurate match conditions: the period, the position of the wrestlers and the status of the match/riding time clock. (3) Rationale: Allows mat-side video review to assist referees confirm or reverse calls made during competition. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances the student-athlete experience. l. Illegal Holds Neck Bow (New Rule ). (1) Recommendation. When in the top position, the offensive wrestler applies a legal head and arm, locked from the side, and then summersaults toward and over the defensive wrestler s head. This position may create a choking situation and could put undue pressure on the neck and spine and is, therefore, illegal. (3) Rationale: Makes a potentially dangerous situation illegal. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances student-athlete safety. m. Stalling Initiating Action (Rule 5.9.1). (1) Recommendation. When a referee recognizes stalling, the first violation will be a warning, the second violation will result in 1 point, the third violation is 1 point, the fourth violation is 1 point and the fifth violation will result in a disqualification and subsequent violations will result in one point being awarded to the opponent.

9 Page No. 9 (3) Rationale: Adds disqualification to the sequence. Penalty table will have a section addressing stalling. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances the student-athlete experience. n. Injury Timeout (Rule 6.1.3). (1) Recommendation. If the first timeout is taken at the end of the second period and the choice already rests with the non-injured wrestler, and the non-injured wrestler has already earned the choice of position, then the non-injured wrestler will have the choice at the start of the third period and the opponent will be assessed a warning for stalling. (3) Rationale: Closes a loophole when the non-injured wrestler already had choice of position at the beginning of the third period. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances the student-athlete experience. o. Injury From Illegal Action (Rule 6.4). (1) Recommendation. If that contestant is not able to continue at the end of 2 minutes of recovery time, then the match is awarded to the injured contestant and scored as a default disqualification. (See Rule ) However, if the injured contestant recovers and wrestling resumes, that contestant then cannot be awarded the match by default disqualification for this illegal action. (3) Rationale: Indicates that a match is lost by disqualification if the offended opponent is unable continue due to an illegal hold or act of unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances the student-athlete experience.

10 Page No. 10 p. Referee Registration (Rule 7.1). (1) Recommendation. The referee shall attend an NCAA Wrestling Referee Enhancement Program fall clinic or satellite clinic once every three years. The referee shall complete an online examination and receive a minimum passing score of percent. (3) Rationale: Increases professional development requirement for referees and raises the minimum passing score for the annual test. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. None. q. Referee (Rule 7.2.8). (1) Recommendation. In dual competition, the same referee will be maintained as the lead official throughout that meet. An assistant referee, if used, will not rotate in as the head official. (3) Rationale: Allows referees to rotate in dual meets, multiple dual or team advancement tournaments, which is more cost effective. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. None. r. Weight Certification Rule 8.1 (also Rules 8.1.1, 8.1.2, and 8.3.3). (1) Recommendation. A wrestler has until (on or before) Feb. 15 to reach or descend back to the lowest certified weight class, as determined by their individual weight-loss plan. (See Rule ) Note: This change is pending approval from CSMAS. Note: Approval for this change was not granted at the June CSMAS meeting.

11 Page No. 11 (3) Rationale: The deadline would become the date of the national qualifying tournaments, which are two to three weeks after February 15. Each student-athlete will still be required to follow their weight-loss plan in order to wrestle at their lowest allowable weight class for the qualifying tournament. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances the student-athlete experience. s. Penalties Weight Management Violations (Rule 8.4). (1) Recommendation. Add: 6) Event excluded as an NCAA registered contest in the OPC the subsequent season; and (3) Rationale: Adds a penalty the tournament director could incur if an event is not administered according to NCAA Weight Management Program rules and requirements. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances student-athlete well-being. t. Weighing In Tournaments (Rule 9.1.4). (1) Recommendation. Add: The actual weights from the first and second day weigh-ins shall be recorded on the NCAA Official Weigh-In Form and recorded in the OPC system. A wrestler who does not weigh in and compete on the first day of competition shall not may weigh in at scratch weight and compete on the second day of competition. (3) Rationale: Requires recording weight from both days weigh-ins to ensure the weight-loss plan calculates from the second day s weight. Also disallows second-day weigh-ins for wrestlers who did not weigh in the first day, which eliminates confusion of tracking one-pound allowance for some, but not all, wrestlers weighing in the second day.

12 Page No. 12 (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances student-athlete well-being. u. Weighing In NCAA Official Weigh-In Form (Rule 9.1.5). (1) Recommendation. For dual meets, both coaches shall retain on file a copy of the NCAA official weigh-in form, the only acceptable form permitted by rule and generated by the NWCA website, until the end of the season. A copy of the NCAA official weigh-in form shall be hand carried or electronically submitted to each site of dual meet and team advancement competition, including tournaments. It is recommended in tournament competition that coaches retain a copy of their team s NCAA official weigh-in form. For all individual-advancement tournaments, including preseason open tournaments, in order to verify the student-athlete s lowest allowable weight class, the NCAA official weighin form shall be submitted before weighing in a team or an individual student athlete. For NCAA registered individual advancement tournaments, including open tournaments, the host shall download from the OPC system the names and weight classes of all rostered wrestlers entered in the tournament. In tournament competition, the host site shall be responsible for retaining the NCAA official weigh-in form(s) with the actual weights of each participant. The actual weight and results for all student-athletes listed on the institution s roster including those who compete unattached at open tournaments shall be entered into the OPC system before building a new weigh-in sheet for the next scheduled competition for each wrestler. (3) Rationale: Allows the tournament director to download entries' weigh-in forms for individual tournament competition after each wrestler s lowest allowable weight class has been verified by the OPC system. This process eliminates the need for the director of an individual advancement tournament to collect weigh-in sheets. When building the weigh-in sheet, the coach will identify the wrestler(s) entering the tournament as unattached; therefore, the unattached rostered wrestlers will be properly identified on the tournament bracket. The OPC system will block a wrestler from being listed on a weigh-in sheet if the wrestler s actual weight was not recorded from a previous weigh-in. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances student-athlete well-being.

13 Page No. 13 v. Medical Examinations/Skin Checks - Tournaments (Rule 9.6.3). (1) Recommendation. Medical examinations/skin checks shall begin a minimum of 15 minutes before the scheduled time of weigh-ins. At the time of medical examinations/skin checks, all competitors are required to report to the designated area and all weight-loss activity shall cease. (3) Rationale: Establishes a specific time for medical examinations/skin checks and when weight-loss activity shall cease. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. Enhances student-athlete well-being. w. Individual Season Record Form Correct Use (Rule 9.8.1). (1) Recommendation. Add: Exhibition matches between teammates shall not be counted. (3) Rationale: Prohibits padding an individual s record by competing in exhibition matches against a teammate. (5) Student-Athlete Impact. None. x. ISRF Requirements (Rule 9.8.2). (1) Recommendation. Add: Each Institution shall approve the results from each competition entered into the OPC system within 48 hours after a home event and not more than 96 hours after an away contest. (3) Rationale: Coach s verification will ensure accuracy of results entered into the OPC by the host.

14 Page No. 14 (5) Student-Athlete Impact. None. 2. Nonlegislative Items. None. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS. 1. Welcome, Introductions and Announcements. The chair welcomed everyone to the inaugural in-person committee meeting, thanking them for their time and travel away from home. Each person introduced themselves, and gave their background and experience in wrestling. Expectations were set for meaningful, focused discussion with outcomes respecting the confidentiality of the process. 2. Review of Schedule, Agenda and Meeting Goals. The committee reviewed the schedule, agenda and meeting goals, and made no adjustments. Additional rules topics were noted to ensure their eventual inclusion in discussion. 3. Review Committee Operations Manual. Of note were the guiding principles for consideration of rules changes, conflict of interest information, guidance regarding document retention, summary of the NCAA playing rules process and what is involved in a typical cycle, and the committee s voting requirements. 4. Approval of February 5, 2013, Teleconference Report. The report from the February 5, 2013, teleconference was approved as written. 5. Reports. The following entities related to NCAA wrestling presented reports. a. CSMAS and Injury Surveillance Program Reports. A summary report from CSMAS relating to wrestling was provided to the committee. The injury data noted most injuries result from the takedown, and skin infections, which are largely preventable, are extremely prevalent among wrestlers. Hydration related to concussion will be asked of experts at a weekend symposium the CSMAS staff liaison plans to attend.

15 Page No. 15 b. PROP. Staff reviewed the January 2012 PROP directive for information related to appeals and protests, sportsmanship and technology; the wrestling response provided; and the January 2013 PROP response, which included the suggestion to include the fan experience in future rules discussions; the request to have clearly stated in the rules the jurisdiction for contest officials; and consistency across all sports relating to uniforms, specifically player names, numbers, conference or institutional logos, allowable patches and other decorative elements currently allowed. c. National Coordinator of Officials Report. The national coordinator gave a summary of his 40 th year of service in the position, which included portions of the job description related to rules and projects completed or still in progress. He answered questions relating to referee evaluations and the postseason selection process. d. National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Report. The NATA liaison reviewed current issues of concern including research on wrestlers lateral collateral ligament injuries and a suggestion to have a point of emphasis for referees that may help prevent the injury. A second concern is cleanliness, including mat cleanliness and restricted use of wrestling mats to outside groups, as a simple solution to help prevent the increase of skin infection. This will be added as an education topic for coaches. 6. Weight Management Program. The secretary-rules editor provided a look at the OPC system, with a step-by-step view of what a head coach and assessor see when they log on. The committee was able to ask questions and understand the intended effects of proposed changes to close loopholes and enhance use of the system to benefit those who use the Weight Management Program. 7. Survey Results. The survey results and comments were reviewed, noting the high level of satisfaction with the seven major changes made for the and seasons. Of the items surveyed for future consideration, the video replay responses were considered in finalizing language for that rule. Survey items regarding the red-shirt wrestler will be given consideration in the future. a. National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The NAIA coaches representative reported head coaches from 39 of the 40 NAIA institutions sponsoring wrestling responded in favor of or opposed to the survey questions in the same manner that NCAA coaches responded.

16 Page No. 16 b. Active Official Report. The active official provided beneficial insight to rules and mechanics discussions from a referee s perspective. 8. Video Replay Experimental Rule. Robust discussions took place regarding the positive and negative sides of this proposal. Several aspects of the rule were itemized and examined separately. Because video replay conducted by a person who did not make the call would have financial implications, and because the committee believes the referees want to get the call right, there was agreement that the same referee(s) who made the call will review it. The number of coaches challenges allowed at tournaments (video review is not allowed at open tournaments) was adjusted to correspond with the number of a team s entries. There was agreement that a definitive signal should accompany the coach s challenge. The committee remains concerned that video reviews be conducted quickly and efficiently. It was reported that the TrackWrestling system is considering the addition of a tracking system to record challenges and the addition of green and red lights on the clock to indicate the team that is challenging. 9. Rules Book Assignments. Each rule was reviewed to improve clarity, to omit redundancies and to identify general improvements. Items were noted for implementation in the next publication. 10. Rule Change Proposals. Editorial and major changes were thoughtfully reviewed, with items noted to be included as points of emphasis; educational items for coaches, referees and tournament directors; Weight Management Program or skin conditions education. a. Editorial Changes. The committee reviewed and approved the package. b. Major Changes. The committee reviewed the major rules change proposals individually; those receiving a motion for action were voted as accepted or denied. Highlights of approved changes were revealed during a joint session of the NCAA Divisions I, II and III Wrestling Committees. The finalized list of major changes will be provided to the membership and registered referees for comment in May. PROP is scheduled to review the proposals and comments in June, giving final approval before the changes are incorporated in the new rule book and educational pieces. 11. Invited Guest Reports.

17 Page No. 17 a. National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). The NFHS representative provided interesting and helpful information from the recent committee meeting but was restricted from sharing approved proposals until they receive final approval from their Board of Directors. b. National Wrestling Coaches Association. Pat Tocci, who oversees operation of the OPC, provided answers to questions regarding the system in relation to some of the Weight Management Program proposals under consideration. 12. Future Dates. The committee agreed to have monthly teleconferences beginning in July and dates for next year s meeting as April Committee Terms. Staff reviewed the committee s staggered terms; Kevin Jackson and Lars Jensen will each receive an additional four-year term through September 1, Other Business. An item for future consideration is wrestlers who compete at open tournaments who are true unattached, red-shirt student-athletes, and therefore, not a rostered wrestler and not required to adhere to the rules and requirements of the NCAA Weight Management Program. The committee agreed that all invited guests would be included to the same portion of future meetings to provide their constituent report. 15. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m. Committee Chair: Jeff Swenson, Augsburg College Staff Liaisons: Teresa Smith, Championships and Alliances, Playing Rules and Officiating Brad Woodward, Championships and Alliances, Playing Rules and Officiating Attendees Mark Branch, University of Wyoming Tom Gioglio, East Stroudsburg University Todd Hibbs, Alma College Kevin Jackson, Iowa State University Absentees

18 Page No. 18 Lars Jensen, San Francisco State University Gene McIntyre, U.S. Military Academy Doug Schwab, University of Northern Iowa Jeff Swenson, Augsburg College Other Attendees: Ron Beaschler, secretary-rules editor Bob Colgate, National Federation of State High School Associations Pat McCormick, national coordinator of officials Archie Randall, National Athletic Intercollegiate Association coaches representative Tim Shiels, active official Jim Thornton, National Athletic Trainer Association liaison Pat Tocci, National Wrestling Coaches Association Greg Johnson, David Klossner, Teresa Smith and Brad Woodward, NCAA