The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which includes members of the Wrestling Rules Committee, approved several rule changes for the 2023-24 season last month.
Takedowns
The panel approved the rule change for all takedowns, awarding a wrestler three points for a takedown. Also, the rule change will award wrestlers additional points who take higher offensive actions and risk-taking. The rule change was needed to create a point differential between takedowns and escapes, providing incentives for the more aggressive wrestler.
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Also, the panel eliminated the hand-touch takedown in favor of a single requirement for all takedowns. In adding this requirement, a balanced scoring rule would be needed. A three-point near-fall scoring component was added. In the past, officials awarded wrestlers two or four points for near falls. The rule change allows wrestlers to be more creative in earning points.
Video Review
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved changes to the coach’s video review request. The rule change allows the official to review all calls or missed calls.
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Other Rule Changes
The panel made adjustments to the existing rules with the following additions, according to NCAA.org.
Medical
- The first medical forfeit of a tournament will count as a loss on the wrestler’s record. The only expectation of this rule will be if the medical forfeit occurs immediately after an injury.
Delay in Coach’s Challenge
- There will be a penalty for a delayed coach’s video review challenge request. Instead of a control-of-mat violation and a one-point deduction from the team total, the coach would strictly lose the video review.
Weigh-in Times and Certifications
- Weigh-in times across all competition types will be standardized to two hours or sooner before the start of the competition. In the past, dual meet weigh-ins were permitted only one hour or fewer before the match.
- Weight certification for all schools will be permitted to start on September 1.
Mandatory Five-Second Count
- The mandatory five-second count for the waist and ankle ride will expand to include all situations involving the top wrestler grasping the bottom wrestler’s ankle.
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