NCAA Wrestling Rule Book
- Thread starter mcpat
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Article 12 Reaction Time
“The amount of time a wrestler is provided by the referee to react to individual scoring or wrestling situations. Reaction time is provided in all situations except locked hands calls down on the mat. Reaction time is determined by each individual referee and is described only as a period of time that is not instantaneous.”
No wonder folks are complaining about inconsistencies in how it is called. The rulebook literally says it’s up to each referee.
“The amount of time a wrestler is provided by the referee to react to individual scoring or wrestling situations. Reaction time is provided in all situations except locked hands calls down on the mat. Reaction time is determined by each individual referee and is described only as a period of time that is not instantaneous.”
No wonder folks are complaining about inconsistencies in how it is called. The rulebook literally says it’s up to each referee.
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It’s taken a 180. Not sure what has happened this year. It’s kind of funny, you’ll see refs adapt and call this differently but we never have someone light guys up consistently for stalling.
There was really only one change this year, with the rear standing hand touch takedown being given reaction time again. Agreed there have been some weird situations, but that wouldn't be from the actual rules, though always possible there was some "point of emphasis" communication
Thanks for this thread. I am continually amazed how uninformed of the rules so many wrestling fans, prior and current wrestlers and wrestling commentators are. Just the other day I heard the Flo guys say that there is no reaction time for a locked hands call that starts from the feet. BTW, does anyone understand what this rule means? No Fall Because of Disadvantage. If any portion of the body of one of the wrestlers is out of the competition circle beyond reaction time and in such a way that either wrestler is disadvantaged, no fall shall be awarded and out of bounds shall be declared. Does it mean that during a pinning combination on the edge reaction time is allowed if the offensive wrestler momentarily leaves the cylinder and then re-enters the cylinder? And here is a rule not well known: Injury — After Four-Point Near Fall Criterion Met. When a criterion for a four-point near fall are met, and a match is stopped for an injury, the defensive wrestler indicates an injury or has excessive bleeding, an additional point shall be awarded to the offensive wrestler.
I believe this new rule for this season and next season is why you are seeing more stalling calls during mat wrestling:
On-the-Mat Stalling Situations (Rule 5.7.15.a). Specifies the offensive wrestler must work toward obtaining near fall points and/or a pin to avoid stalling.
This is a list of the new rules for this season and next season:
Major Changes for 2023-24 and 2024-25 Each changed or altered segment is identified in the rules by a shaded background. Facial Hair (Rule 1.8.2). Eliminates the restrictions on facial hair. Medical Forfeits (Rule 2.3.12.b). Changes the first medical forfeit to a loss on the wrestler’s individual season record form, except when a medical forfeit occurs immediately following an injury default. Mat-Side Video Review (Rule 3.13). Provides the referee with authority to confirm or overturn all calls or missed calls during a video review challenged sequence. Coach’s Video Review Challenge (Rule 3.13.9.h). Eliminates the control of mat violation and team point deduction for a delayed video review. Hand-Touch Takedown (Rule 4.2). Eliminates the hand-touch takedown. Near Fall (Rule 4.5.4). Allows wrestlers to earn three near fall points. Takedown Scoring (Rule 4.6). Changes the points earned for a takedown from two to three points. Tournament Team Scoring (Rule 4.8.6). Specifies true placement matches shall not alter the final team score. Assessing Match Penalties (Rule 5.1.2.f). Removes the required match stoppage after a wrestler is penalized for an illegal hold when there is no presence of injury. Waist and Ankle Ride Stalling (Rule 5.7.13). Expands the five second count to include all situations in which the offensive/advantage wrestler grasps the bottom wrestler’s ankle. On-the-Mat Stalling Situations (Rule 5.7.15.a). Specifies the offensive wrestler must work toward obtaining near fall points and/or a pin to avoid stalling. Weight Certification Procedures (Rules 8.3.1 and 9.7.1). Standardizes the weight certification period to not sooner than September 1 and redefines the playing rules season as September 1 until the end of the competition season. Weigh-Ins for Dual, Triangular and Quadrangular Meets (Rules 9.2.3 and 9.3.1). Allows weigh-ins to be held two hours or sooner before the start time of competition.
(Rule 1.8.2). Eliminates the restrictions on facial hair.
The DeAugustino rule.
The DeAugustino rule.
Oh, completely agree on the mat wrestling, and that there were more rule changes in general, was specifically referring to the reaction time piece
It's one thing for fans to be uninformed of the rules.
The Flo guys are another story -- they're (allegedly) professionals. This is their job.
Oh, who am I kidding? Their job is hot takes, and rules are facts that just get in the way.
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