VAL Wrestling Rules

*NFHS rules updated as of April, 2024 and will be followed in the VAL;

- Wrestlers will be inbounds with only one point of contact of either wrestler inside or on the boundary line.

- Takedowns will be awarded three points.

- Near-Fall criteria will be awarded 2 points for holding for 2 seconds, 3 points for 3 seconds, and 4 points for 4 seconds.

NFHS Rules shall be followed with the following modifications:

1.    NO JEWELRY or hard clips may be worn.

2.    A boy/girl must wrestle at the lowest weight classification for which he/she is eligible in at least one match during the season.  He/she may also wrestle in the next weight class above, except from 175 to heavyweight.

3.    A minimum mat border of 6 feet should be met for safety.

4.    176 - 235 Heavyweight classification.

5.    Teams may not take part in a chant or cadence yell for their team member on the mat.  Example: “PIN! PIN! PIN!”

6.    Weight allowances:

  • a.    2 pound allowance, approximately Oct. 30
  • b.    1 pound extra allowed for all Monday meets.
  • c.  1 pound extra allowed for any back-to-back meets (both teams).

7.    NCAA Guide to be used with appropriate Junior High modifications:

  • a. Three one-minute periods
  • b. No advantage time or points
  • c. Overtimes – 1st period/1 minute Sudden Death or first point scored;
  • c2. 2nd overtime – 30 and 30 (30 sec. on top/30 sec. on bottom no matter what, unless there is a pin);
  • c3. 3rd overtime - 30 sec. riding time; whoever scores 1st gets choice in match (top or bottom)
  • d. Head gear optional
  • e. Mouthguards are mandatory for anyone with braces, dental work.
  • f. Tennis shoes may be worn
  • g. Weight classifications (19):  70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 205, Hwt. (175 - 235)

8.    *WEIGHT LOSS IS HIGHLY DISCOURAGED*

9.    Weigh-ins will be conducted the day before a match, before practice begins.  This is the official weigh-in, wrestlers cannot weigh in again.  If this is not possible ( wrestler absent from practice, a Monday match, back-to-back matches, etc.), then the weigh-in will be conducted prior to noon the day of the match.

10.To seed wrestlers, a coach must attend the seeding meeting. Wrestlers must have competed (forfeit by the opponent) in a regular season league match at a weight to be seeded at that weight for league/sectional/county finals.

11. For the regular season match, the teams do not have to start wrestling @ 70lbs (lightest division) every match. This is to avoid heavyweight becoming the last wrestler of the match every meet. Pre-setting the starting weight during preseason coaches meeting is highly encouraged.

12. Athletes will be allowed to wrestle in consecutive matches with a 15-minute rest between matches.