High School Wrestling: Sweeping rule changes mirror college game
Tri-Valley head coach Dave Boltz likes the new rule changes coming this season.
Shouts of “Twooo! Twooo! That’s twooo!” ring out from the crowd.
These fans think their wrestler has just secured a takedown, and they want the official to award their athlete their two points.
Not anymore.
That’s because, in one of the most drastic scoring changes in decades, a takedown will be worth three points instead of just two.
The idea is to promote and reward aggressive wrestling, and this rule and the ones that follow are modeled after college wrestling. NCAA matches at all levels used the new scoring and rule changes last season with great success. So, as often happens, once something works at the college level, high school wrestling follows suit.
“I am excited about the rule changes,’’ Tri-Valley coach Dave Boltz said. “I’m glad we are following college wrestling. It should make the transition from high school to college a lot easier. I also believe it’s going to create a lot more action.’’
The other major scoring change involves near-fall points. Previously, a two-second count produced to two back points and a five-second count meant three back points. Now, the scoring is more straight-forward: two-second count — two points; three-second count — three points; and four-second count — four points.
Another rule change coming from the collegiate ranks is that if either wrestler has any body part on or inside the boundary circle, that is considered inbounds and wrestling continues. That means takedowns and back points can be awarded with the defensive wrestler off the mat and the offensive wrestler having a foot or shoulder or anything on or inside the line.
Reaction from local coaches polled recently during the preseason revealed varied opinions.
“When it comes to new rules for the season, I have such mixed emotions,’’ Panther Valley coach Kris Nalesnik said. “I absolutely love the new one point of contact out-of-bounds rules. It simplifies and streamlines the rules so coaches, wrestlers and referees all have a concrete idea what is and isn’t in bounds.
“The scoring changes, however, are another story,’’ Nalesnik said. “The three-point takedown is fine. I don’t love it, as I’m going to miss the shouts of ‘Two!’ from the crowd, but that’s just because I’m such a lover of tradition. The thing I really dislike is the new near-fall points system. I’ve always appreciated the fact that you needed to have two seconds to score any near-fall points. This made it significantly different than Freestyle where simple exposure was enough. I also loved the fact that the defensive wrestler then had the opportunity to get off his back prior to giving up additional points. That three additional seconds for one additional point really made the offensive wrestler prove their control, so I’m not a fan of that change.’’
Let’s take a closer look at the three major changes individually.
Three-point takedown
This scoring change will incentivize wrestlers to produce more action on their feet — more shooting, more scrambling, more exciting wrestling.
In addition, a winning wrestler leading by two or three points can’t just stall out the last 20-25 seconds from neutral. If the other wrestler gets a takedown, the match is tied — or you lose.
“We look forward to the rule changes regarding scoring, as we feel it favors our style of wrestling — push the action!’’ Blue Mountain coach Alex Gosch said.
NF2, NF3, NF4
The National Federation of State High School Associations, NFHS for short, where these rules originate, said it simply in its rationale for this change: “The goal in wrestling is to pin the opponent. Changing the near-fall points awarded should motivate wrestlers to work for a fall and simplify the points awarded based on how long the wrestler is held in near-fall criteria.’’
In addition, a NF5 is possible if the defensive wrestler becomes injured or starts bleeding after a four-second count.
Action in all positions — top, bottom and neutral — is paramount to producing exciting and entertaining wrestling.
“The rule changes will be something to watch. We will see how strategy and wrestler preference weighs into decisions,’’ North Schuylkill coach Corey Fetterolf said. “We pride ourselves on being tough on our feet, so the three-point takedown should benefit us nicely. We have also put a lot of emphasis on being tough on top. So, we do like the rule changes and will see how much of an impact is has as the season goes on. Out of bounds should help officials with making calls on the edge of the mat and help keep the action going for wrestlers on the edge of the mat.’’
Out of bounds
Adopting the college rule simplifies the situation for wrestlers, coaches, fans and officials alike. Keep any body part inbounds, keep wrestling.
Home teams will want to set up additional mat space around the out-of-bounds areas so that wrestlers have the extra space they need before hitting the hardwood of the basketball court underneath. In addition, officials will need to use common sense in tight gyms where there’s not much space for out-of-bounds, edge wrestling.
The rule has a few other benefits.
One is that the flow of a match won’t be interrupted as often by going out of bounds. Few things slow down a dual meet as much as wrestlers repeatedly going out of bounds, stopping, walking back to the center, maybe having to set and reset in referee’s position.
In 13 matches, perhaps 10-plus out-of-bounds stoppages can be eliminated. That should create a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Another benefit is that conditioning will became even more of a factor. Those who work hard in that aspect and push the action will be rewarded.
