i'm still in football and not in wresting mode yet so please forgive me. at the state rules meeting last night the presenter said something like this: wrestler "A" properly reports to the table and steps on the mat he should be ready to wrestle NOW. sounds good to me until he continues "he cannot pick up the ankle band and go to the edge of the mat for his coach to put it on for him, he should not shake his coaches hand, he should put the ankle band on and step on the line."

Sounds like they want you to get your "go kill 'em" speech prior to reporting to the table and speed up the process.

I think this is the strict interpretation of the rules, and I am sure some officials will treat it as such. However, at our meeting (the Kinston location), the person running the meeting (our booking agent) SPECIFICALLY stated that this rule was to keep a kid from checking in and returning to the bench for coaching or any other reason. He went on to say that athletes or coaches should not be penalized for (after checking in) for meeting at the edge of the mat for a high-five, some brief last minute instruction, or for putting an ankle band on. While I like giving my kid a handshake or a slap on the headgear immediately before stepping on the line and will continue to do so until warned agaisnt it, I do think this rule should be called uniform across the state and (since it is a NFHS point of emphasis) across the nation. I think these rules meetings are in place to inform not only the rules, but the intent of the rule. Unfortunately the powerpoints provided for these meeting only deal with the black and white and there is a lot of interpretation left up to the head official or the moderator of the rules meeting.

Scott

The rules state that the match has started once the proper wrestler reports to the table. His next move should be to the 10' circle.

If the wrestler does not report to the 10' circle and goes to the out of bounds line, it is delaying the match (stalling).

If the wrestler leaves the out of bounds area without permission from the referee, it is a technical violation, 1 match point.

The intent of the rule is to reduce delays. Two years ago the match began with the handshake. Since it has changed, the coaching and headgear slaps should be done prior to sending the wrestler to the table. Once the kid reports, the coach can issue instructions but it needs to be done with the wrestler in the 10' circle.

RIDICULOUS!!!

How much time are we really talking here... 15 seconds times 14 matches... If everybody does it... 3 minutes and 30 seconds!

Coach,

I really don’t think this is a big deal for dual meets. My experience has been that wrestlers are generally ready to wrestle upon checking in to the table.

I think this is getting more at tournaments and that is where I’ve seen delays. Often, a wrestler will check into the table still wearing his warm-up, go to his corner and take the warm-ups off, have the coach put the ankle bands on, get a head or butt slap, get some last minute tips, say a prayer or something and then come to the 10’ circle to start the bout.

The tournament part, as described above, is an unnecessary delay and that is why the rules writers made this a point of emphasis to penalize when delays like this occur.

I Agree with that.

My main complaint with this is that on occassion I might high-five a wrestler after he puts his ankle band on and I think its horrible tht it could cost him a call... just for getting support from me. I see the general intention of the rule... but like everything else in NC... it WILL get carried away.