Making The Call ...

Do you have a question regarding wrestling rules and their interpretations?

In an effort to promote a fuller understanding of the rules of our sport, Dr. Bill Welker will field your inquires and reply on this page. Dr. Welker is an active Wrestling Official and experienced in wrestling rules interpretation.

You may submit inquiries directly to Dr. Welker at mattalkwv@hotmail.com, or...

you may follow this link to a "form" on which you may submit your inquiry.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE FORM

Important notes:

This feature is made available solely for the enlightenment of our readers, and should not be used in any inquiry or petition to another official, the WVSSAC or other sanctioning or governing body.

Inquiries which bring personalities into question will be rejected.

We reserve the right to reject any inquiry which, in our opinion, may fuel controversy over a disputed call in a recent match.

The Wrestling Drill Book, edited by Dr. Bill Welker
with contributions by Jim Akerly, Bill Archer, Dave Lamotte, Pat Pecora, Edwin C. Peery, Ken L. Taylor, and Craig Turnbull.

Available on-line from the publishing company, Human Kinetics, or through book stores nationwide.

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Bill Welker's Pancake Takedown Series.
Visit billwelkerwrestling.com
Available for mini-clinic demonstration
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December 11, 2008
Q: If a wrestler is too light to wrestle at the weight class he is weighing-in for, can he step off the scale drink some water (hydrate himself) and then step on the scale so he's heavy enough?
A: Absolutely NOT! If it's a dual meet and there's only one scale, the wrestler must step on the scale, step off, and immediately step on the scale again, whether he's too heavy or too light. With a meet where more than one scale is being utilized, the same is true for the first scale, and he's given one shot on all the other scales IMMEDIATELY. No dehydrating or hydrating when a wrestler weighs-in.

November 4, 2008
Q: In a duals tournament, during a wrestler's fifth team dual of the day, he/she is disqualified for flagrant misconduct. Are the team points earned by that wrestlers wiped off for the entire day including all prior duals that day, or only for the dual match in which the misconduct occured? May the wrestler continue in the dual meet tournament the next day?
A: Each dual meet is considered a competitive entity within itself. The four previous dual scores would not be changed. But he is done for further dual-meet competition in that event.

Q: A wrestler wins the match by one point, but refuses to shake his opponents hand. Failure to comply with the end-of-match procedure is classified as unsportsmanlike conduct. How is this handled/scored?
Answer: It is one team-point deduction from his team for not shaking hands. But the wrestler does win the match because wrestling has concluded.

April 7, 2008
Q: I would like to know the definition of stalling, I read one question in the blog and I understand the top wrestler should be working to turn the bottom man, but I have seen too many matches this year where the bottom man isn't making any move to better his position at all or even trying to escape he is making no motion and it never seems to be called so I was hoping you could just give the rule book defination since I can't find it online anywhere.

A: Stalling Rulebook Answer:
ART. 1 . . . Each wrestler is required to make an honest attempt to stay within the 10-foot circle and wrestle aggressively, regardless of position or the time or score of the match. Action is to be maintained throughout the match by the contestants wrestling aggressively whether in the top, bottom or neutral position and both contestants are equally responsible for initiating action. It is the responsibility of contestants, coaches and referees to avoid the use of stalling tactics or allowing the use thereof. This shall be demonstrated by those responsible with strict enforcement by referees.
ART. 2 . . . When a referee recognizes stalling occurring at any time and in any position, the offender shall be warned and thereafter violations shall be penalized when stalling recurs. These provisions require the referee to penalize stalling without hesitation.
ART. 3 . . It is stalling in the neutral position when a wrestler:
a. continuously avoids contact with the opponent;
b. plays the edge of the mat;
c. prevents the opponent from returning to or remaining inbounds; or
d. is not attempting to secure a takedown.
ART. 4 . . . It is stalling when the contestant in the advantage position:
a. does not wrestle aggressively and attempt to secure a fall, except when the wrestler intentionally releases the opponent in order to thereafter immediately attempt to secure a takedown;
b. legally holds the heel to the buttocks while the defensive wrestler is broken down on the mat for more than five seconds; or
c. holding an opponent's leg with the use of two hands on two legs or two hands on one leg in action not designed to break the opponent down, or is for the purpose of securing a fall, or is to prevent an escape or reversal, is stalling. Repeated grasping and holding the leg or legs with both hands or arms to break an opponent down for the sole purpose of controlling is stalling.
ART. 5 . . . When a defensive wrestler refuses to aggressively attempt escapes or reversals, it is stalling.
ART. 6 . It is stalling when either wrestler:
a. repeatedly grasps or interlocks around one leg of the opponent to prevent scoring; or
b. delays the match. This includes straggling back from out of bounds, unnecessarily changing or adjusting equipment or delay in assuming the starting position on the mat.

The defensive wrestler is not stalling when overpowered.

Stalling In Practice Answer:
Stalling is a very, very subjective call by officials. It is like the "balk" in baseball, "holding" in football, and "traveling" in basketball.

You will probably often scratch your head when you witness different officials call stalling. The reality is that no two officials will ever call stalling the same, even if they had the same instructor.

All you can hope for is that the individual official calling the match is consistant on how he indicates stalling throughout the meet. A coach may or may not like it, but at least he knows what to expect from that particular referee in reference to stalling.

With over 50 years of mat experience in all capacities, all I can say is that "individual official consistency" regarding stalling is the best a wrestler, coach, or fan can ever hope for - it's that subjective!

March 4, 2008
Q: If wrestler A shoots a double leg and Wrestler B does a figure four to A's head, does it result in one penalty point for A?
A: Yes, it's a technical violation against Wrestler B. But note, in this situation, Wrestler A is also given the opportunity to score a takedown. If he does, Wrestler A gets 2 points for the takedown and 1 point for the technical violation

February 24, 2008
Q: I mentioned earlier about between periods when wrestler (A) selects down and wrestler (B) signals to Wrestler (A) to his feet giving away a 1 point escape. This year I've seen it way too much. What was once a call to benefit the bottom wrestler resulting in possible reversal points etc. from the flip of the disk. Has now benefited wrestler (B) by avoiding the possible reversal and following points. The only 100% call is top position. It hurts a good bottom wrestler. Should it be looked into changing the rule Back, or giving 2 points for the free untouched escape.
A: This is the first year for the "escape choice" by the top man. You make a very valid point. However, I have heard no complaints by coaches regarding this rule. At the end of the year a survey is given to coaches all across the U.S. They will be the ones to make the final decision. If the majority of the coaches do not like it, the national rules committee usually abides by what the coaches want. I personally, have no problem with the rule because it speeds up the match. Rather than take the optional start and push bottom man away, and wait till he faces the top man; just give him the escape and be over with it. But I am not a coach any more, and if the coaches don't like it, I think it then should be removed. We'll see what happens.

February 19, 2008
Q: Can a referee award one point to a wrestler and end the match in the first wrestlers favor if the other wrestler headbutts twice but the first time was never called?
A: An intentional head butt is a flagrant misconduct, and should be called when observed by the official.
Penalty:
1) Disqualification from further competition in that event and
2) a deduction of three team points.

February 15, 2008
Q: 1) A wrestler reports to the mat with vaseline smeared all over the front of his singlet, and a sharp object is embedded within his knee pad. Are points for technical violation (improper equipment, greasy substance) awarded, or is the wrestler allowed to use injury time to correct the problem with no penalty points prior to the start of the match?
2) Once the match has started, the above described greasy substance and illegal equipment is discovered. What is the call?
A: As soon as the official sees the problem, he will immediately start injury time, penalize the wrestler, awarding his opponent one match point. Also, the head coach would be hit with a team point deduction for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Note: Regarding the sharp object in the knee pad, if the official felt it was there to harm an opponent, it would be a flagrant misconduct, and the wrestler would be disqualified. Furthermore, if the official felt that the sharp object was intended to harm an opponent, he should report it to the state governing body immediately for further potential repercussions.

January 28, 2008
Q: If there was a complaint of biting during a match and the referee did not act on the complaint and after the match is over there is obvious evidence of the bite and it is shown to the referee, what should the referee have done?
A: If biting is not indicated by the official during the match, it can't be called after the match is over.

January 2, 2008
Q: At what point does it become stalling when the top wrestler is riding legs ? Do they have to be attemting to turn the bottom wrestler. Could it be considered stalling if a wrestler continues to create a stalemate situation to avoid wrestling? I understand the bottom wrestler needs to continue to work for an escape, but when you are strung out and the top guy has both legs in and is not coming off the hip it is difficult to move.
A: Boy, that's a tough one. Every official has a problem with this situation. All I call say, if the top wrestler continues to use the same leg-riding tactic, and does not attempt to force his opponent to his back (and a stalemate has been called a number of times), then it's time to hit him for stalling. I am sorry I cannot be more specific, but each situation is different.

December 20, 2007
Q: Can you clarify a weigh-in issue for a dual meet? We had this situation at last year's tournament. Say for middle school weights 102, 110 and 116, a wrestler weighing 100 pounds weighs-in and enters the dual meet at the 110 pound class. My understanding is he is eligible to wrestle only the 110 pound division (He is too light for the 116 pound division and he did not weigh in for the 102 pound division.) The coach argues that he can wrestle all three weight classes during the two day meet. What is the correct interpretation?
1) All 3 weight classes.
2) The class he weighed in for and up one class (if he makes minmum weight).
3) Only 110 pound class.
A:The correct answer is: No. 3. Since the boy missed weighing in for the 102-pound weight class, he can't wrestle 102, and he can't wrestle 116 because his stripped weight would have made him eligible for 102. One other point: A wrestler is typically only able to wrestle at 2 weight classes, no more. Unfortunately. the boy in this situation chose (or forgot to show up for 102) to weigh in at the 110-pound class.

December 16, 2007
Q: In a recent match the ref told the wrestlers to move to the center to wrestle. They were not wrestling on the line, but were moving towards it. When the wrestlers did not move from the area and broke their tie up, the ref physicaly pushed both wrestlers to the center while they were in their stance. Is the ref allowed to physcialy interfere with a match like this? It looked like he could have put one of the wrestlers at a disadvantage because he pushed him out of his stance. What if one of the wrestlers fell down while he pushed them? Could the ref could be written up from improper conduct?
A: The referee should never touch/push the wrestlers unless he is stopping a potentially dangerous or illegal hold, protecting them when they are going out of bounds (from hitting the floor), or raising the winner's hand.

December 6, 2007
Q: Your WV team is in an Ohio tournament on Saturday. It is announced at the seeding meeting that one of the teams has a dual meet on Friday; thus each wrestler will be given an extra pound at weigh-ins Saturday morning under the consecutive day rule.
It snows Friday and, although none of the other teams know, the dual meet is cancelled.
Since all of the other teams left practice Friday anticipating the 1 lb. allowance can the tournament director still give it? Do you know if OH is different than WV.
A: If asked to make that interpretation in West Virginia, ALL the teams WOULD get the extra pound. I do not know and can not speak for Ohio.

November 22, 2007
Q: Is a double arm bar legal when the wrestlers are in a standing position (i.e., the wrestler applying the hold is standing behind his opponent?) How is this hold distinguished from a full-nelson?
A: The double armbar in the standing position, with wrestler applying the hold from behind his opponent is legal, but potentially dangerous because the other wrestler can not break his fall when brought to the mat. The full nelson is under both arms with pressure to the neck (illegal); the double armbar is under both arms with pressure to the back (legal).

August 13, 2007
Q: How would you advise officials, coaches and wrestlers as a good rule of thumb to determine what is or is not a slam? e.g. would a hip throw where I pull my opponent over my body, he lands on his back with me on top be considered a slam?
A: That sounds like a very close "slam type" of call. But always understand, a slam is a judgment call by the official.

February 27, 2007
Q: Bill...give us your thoughts for possible "matside" weigh-ins for high school competition here in WV.
A: That's a tough one. This has been bounced around for years. I can live with what the majority of the coaches want, and accepted by the NFHS.

Q: I realize this may not have a short answer...but can you give some brief points on how "control" is determined for a takedown or reversal?
A: Actually, I am going to make this short. It's when the official feels control. That is why I believe an experienced wrestler is better in the capacity as a match official. It is my personal belief that he has a better feel for such situations

February 26, 2007
Q: If a youth wrestler weighs in just over the weight allowed and there is time before weigh ins are over can he go to the gym and run and use the restroom and weigh in again.
A: In high school wrestling, it is not allowed. I can't speak for youth wrestling tournaments that usually have no national or state governing body.

February 21, 2007
Q: May a wrestler call "time-out" for a reason other than injury or bleeding?
A: Yes. For example, a lost contact lens.

February 7, 2007
Q: I was at a conference tournement over the weekend. When they had the parade of finalist one of the finalist was wearing a hat that was not part of his uniform. How should that have been Handled? What types of penalties are there for this?
A: That would be unsportsmanlike conduct in WV.

February 6, 2007
Q: I know it sounds crazy but here is another what if: Wrestler A has a pinning move on Wrestler B and they both end up on their backs and are both pinned. I know it would be hard for the ref to see both at the same time, but who gets the pin?
A: The offensive wrestler would be awarded the fall with simultaneous pins.

February 1, 2007
Q: I think but I'm not sure, if a wrestler gets called three times for illegal locked hands in one match, then he/she has to foreit that said match. Is that correct, if not is there any limit to the amount of times inwhich one could get called for illegal locked hands?
A: Locked hands is a technical violation with the following progression:
First Time: 1 Penalty Point.
Second Time: 1 Penalty Point.
Third Time: 2 Penalty Points.
Fourth Time: Disqualification from that match only.

January 24, 2007
Q: Is the "cowboy" a legal take down and pinning move in youth wrestling?
A: To my knowledge, yes, with an arm included, unless the referee thinks it is potentially dangerous in a wrestling situation.

January 22, 2007
Q: If a wrestler takes another wrestler down with a headlock, is he awarded with the takedown and then penalized with a technical violation?
A: A wrestler can never score a takedown with an illegal headlock. The action would be stopped and a penalty point awarded.

December 31, 2006
Q: Is an eye poke, accidental or not, considered an illegal move? This question is in reference to the new rule: "7-1-5: Hand(s) to the face and/or raking the eyes have been added to the listing of illegal holds." OH is having an issue with the interpretation.
Also, if wrestler A is in criteria and begins pushing on Wrestler B's face, does the ref stop the match to award the illegal hold point? This sounds like a judgement call to me, but wanted to hear the state's official interpretation. Anything else to clarify this rule for other refs would be appreciated. Thanks.
A: In both situations, it is a judgment call by the official. If the referee deems the act to be intentional, penalty point(s) will be awarded. If the referee considers the action to be accidental, no points will be awarded.

December 25, 2006
Q: A wrestler throws up during a match, but continues to wrestle. Once the official sees this he will obviously stop the match. My question would be is that injury time or just simply clean up? I thought clean up, but thats just my interpretation.
A: Official's timeout to clean up.

Q: I noticed that a wrestler had a duals match earlier in the year at 125 lbs. and this weekend I watched him wrestle in a pool tournament at 112 lbs. Is this possible, and can you explain?
A: I cannot explain anything without seeing a wrestler's weight management alpha report date.

December 21, 2006
Q: If a wrestler weighs 135 and the alpha sheet reads that he may drop to 125 say January 1, but the wrestler participates at the 135 weight class prior to the alpha date (January 1). Then drops to 125 and starts wrestling . What date will he achieve his 50% at the lower weight class? Will this 50% start Jan.1 or is it 50% of all matches wrestled ?
A: The 50% weigh-ins start on the wrestler's alpha date.

December 18, 2006
Q: As a parent we sign a form for the SSAC on what weight you want your child not to go below. What happens if during the season he drops below and to a lower that weight naturally, than what we signed?
A: It's too late. He must wrestle at the higher weight class.

December 11, 2006
Q: I have heard this rule interpreted both ways. If a wrestler is wrestling up in weight class, example: weighs in at 119.5 and wrestles 130 that is perfectly legal. But if there is a 1 pound allowance (for whatever reason) that day is he still legal for 130, or must he weigh in above 120?
A: Good question. The wrestler would have to weigh above 120. Otherwise, he would be eligible for three weight classes, and that can't happen. Again, very good question.

Q: You are at a 2 day DUALS TOURNAMENT. Said wrestler weighs-in the first day at 130-1/4 for the 135# weight class. On day 2 of the DUALS TOURNAMNET said wrestler comes to weigh-ins and is eligible by the alpha roster to make his base/minimum weight of 130. Is said wrestler eligible to weigh-in at the 130# weight class, but not wrestle, if the weight class that he originally started the DUALS TOURNAMENT is 135#.
A: The answer is NO. The reason being it would make him eligible for three weight classes during the two-day single event. The first day: 135 and 140 and the second day: 130 and 135, which is three weight classes. That can't be. He would have to wait to the next event to make his alpha weight. Great question!

December 10, 2006
Q: If a wrestler loses a contact during a match (but finds it very quickly) and the referee stops the match to let the wrestler put it back in, should injury time be used?
A: NO -- That is an official's time-out.

December 4, 2006
Q: This past weekend we were at a tournament in which Blood Time became a factor. A young man busted his nose and began to bleed early in the first period. The match was stopped 6 or 7 times for blood. Starting the third period the young man only had 26 seconds of blood time left. He starting bleeding again and it took 10 sec. to get it stopped, leaving 16 seconds left. During a break in the action (official stopped the match, and went over to the head table) the boys coach tape up the boys nose. The official then informed them that they only had 4 sec. of blood time remaining.
My question is if the boy�s nose wasn't bleeding when the coach taped it up would it be considered blood time, clean-up time, or injury time?
A: If the nose was not bleeding prior to the coach taping it, one injury timeout would be used.

November 11, 2006
Q: I can't really explain how this happend but trust me it did. I was officiating a JV match and both wrestlers ended up on thier back with both shoulders on the mat without a takedown being scored. Since no takedown was ever scored I called a stalemate and returned the wrestler back to neutral. I realize that this is a one-and a million situation, but was that the right call??
A: You did the right thing; afterall, it was a JV match. On the other hand, you could have called a double fall and each team receives 6 points IF the falls occurred at the same time. If not, the wrestler who pinned himself first would lose. Had there been control, the wrestler in control would receive the fall and victory.

October 15, 2006
Q: Are suplex throws legal as long as you are careful when doing them?
A: No. They can not be performed in any way in interscholastic competition.

March 21, 2006
Q: Wrestler A has wrestler B on his back but with his arm clearly under wrestler B's back not allowing wrestler B's shoulder,or scapula to be held to the mat. Can wrestler B be Pinned in this manner ?
A: No. Both shoulders must be touching the mat.

Q: At a open meet do they have the right to forfeit one of your matches if you are already in a match on another mat?? I did two weight classes at a meet this weekend and was doing one weight on one mat and was called in the middle of it and by the time I went to check in they already forfeited it. Any comments??
A: Please, I will answer any questions that are under the auspices of the WVSSAC. An open tournament is not regulated by any athletic association. They can basically do whatever they want. If you don't like what they do, don't go back the next year. Bottom line: I can't help you or give any advice for such events.

March 14, 2006
Q: If you brigde on your shoulders is it considered a pin?
A: Yes.

March 9, 2006
Q: Is body armour type garments legal under singlets
A: I am not sure what you are talking about because I do not know what body armour is. But to answer your question, except for a proper undergarment, the answer to your question is NO.

March 8, 2006
Q: My understanding of the overtime rule in the one minute overtime was if stalling was called it automatically went to the 30 second period of wrestling. As this happen to a wrestler at a match was that the right call?
A: Each wrestler must be penalized the same point(s) to move from the overtime to the 30-second tiebreaker.

Q: Can a stalling point be given without a warning? I saw it for the first time this weekend. It did not determine the outcome of the match but was just wondering.
A: There must be a warning first.

March 7, 2006
Q: Not to be rude because I appreciate your time you spend on answering questions, but i don't think you answered the question that was asked about what to do if the ref is wrong on the rules. This is an interesting question and would like your answer.
A: Sorry. As a coach (and I was for 10 years), I would not leave the mat area until the problem is rectified, and the official shows me in the rule book that stalling is called different in the Overtime match. As noted before, only in the 30-tiebreaker is stalling called a little bit different. I apologize for my "beating around the bush" answer previously given. After I read it, I realized I did not give a definitive answer.

Q: This may not be the right place to ask this question, but this past weekend i heard a referee tell a parent "...if you touch me you will be arrested for battery of an athletic offical and it is a felony." While I feel a referee should not have to quote state code to keep from becoming the victim of a battery I do feel they should have the correct information. What I found under State Code 61-2-15a(b) shows the pentalty as a misdemeanor punishable by not less than 24 hours in jail nor more than 30 days. Do you know if this law has recently changed and has been upgraded to a felony?
A: Bottom line: Don't touch the referee

March 3, 2006
Q: We're all human and this is a learning process at every level. That being said, what do you recommend that a coach do if an official is clearly wrong about a rule (I am cognizant of the fact that a coach should NEVER question a judgment call)? We had a situation in which both wrestlers had been warned for stalling during regulation and beginning the first overtime (neutral start) wrestler A took several steps backwards immediately on the whistle (we, the coaches raised our hands suggesting the stall call) the referee stopped the match and came over to tell us that while he agreed with our assessment that wrestler A was indeed stalling, he was not at liberty to call stalling. We were shocked but respectful. I explained to him that I agreed with his assessment if this were the second overtime/rideout period (I think that technically stalling can be called then too, but it is such a short time it would be difficult) and walked toward the scoring table, pulling out the rule book. He then informed us that if he so much as saw us open the book, we'd be watching from the parking lot. (I suspect that he realized his understanding of the rule was flawed). Obviously, if he had simply said that wrestler A was not stalling, we would have kept our mouths shut, it's his judgment call. But b/c he talked too much, it went from a judgment call to a rule application. How should we have handled this situation?
A: It is only during the 30-second tiebreaker that a wrestler may ride, and stalling called a little different. Blatant stalling during the 30-second tiebreaker would be quickly stalemated and the wrestler and coach be told next time stalling will be called. Stalling should be called normally in the overtime period. I hope this answers your question. Let me know.

March 1, 2006
Q: If a match ends tied up at the end of regulation, and wrestler A takes his second injury time before the start of overtime; what are the proper procedures that follow? Does wrestler B not get his choice of position and if he does, how does this work? Does the match just go into overtime as usual?
A: If the match reaches the 30-second tiebreaker, Wrestler B is given the choice.

Editor's note: I was puzzled by this question and answer until I reviewed the rules regarding injury time-outs.
"Rule 8-2-1: An injured or ill contestant is entitled to a maximum injury time-out of 1 1/2 minutes which is cumulative throughout the match. There is a limit of two injury time-outs which may be permitted in any match, provided the total time does not exceed 1 1/2 minutes. If a second injury time-out is taken, the opponent will have choice of position for the restart, (The up, down, or neutral position shall be chosen). If the second injury time-out occurs at the end of the first period, the opponent will have the choice at the start of the second and third period." (2004-05 NFHS Rulebook)

This rule was clarified for 2005-06, such that "...during the Tiebreaker, the wrestler who has the choice of position following the opponent�s second injury time-out is restricted to the offensive, defensive or defer choices."

Follow-up to the above question:
Q: Thanks for the quick response to my previous question. I think that my wording of the question was a little off. What I was wondering is that if the second injury time happens right after the third period ends and before the first overtime begins, do you still wrestle the 1 minute on your feet or does the opposing wrestler (say he chooses bottom position) have 1 minute to escape? That is, in view of the rule stipulating that "if a second injury time-out is is taken, the opponent will have choice of position for the restart" -- does this restart apply to the FIRST overtime period, and can the opponent choose to start the FIRST overtime period on bottom, rather than neutral?? Thanks again.
A: No. The wrestlers compete for one minute on their feet in the Overtime Period. In the 30-second tiebreaker, the wrestler, whose opponent used a second injury time-out, would be given the choice.

Q: Has the National Federation or anyone ever suggested the idea of using technology to help in accurate timing of matches such as a receiver or vibrating device that could be worn by officials at tournaments? It seems a little old-fashioned to still rely on a tapper person. I envision a small receiver that is reset when the clock is set and signals to the official when time is expired. Do you know of any invention or anything like this ever being tested? I'd like to be smart enough to produce such a device. What are the rules about this?
A: It's been discussed. Right now you cannot use them, but you can contact Jerry Diehl at nfhs.org He could repond to your question.

February 27, 2006
Q: Wrestler A has wrestler B in a cradle, in a pinning combination. Wrestler B pulls wrestler A's finger to attempt to break the hold. Wrestling is stopped and resumed in the referee's position. In this situation should the referee allow wrestling to continue as long as wrestler A has wrestler B in the pinning combination?
A: The referee would normally push Wrestler B's hand away from Wrestler A's hand to allow Wrestler A the opportunity for the fall. Should there not be a fall, the referee would award Wrestler A the appropriate near-fall points and one penalty point.

February 21, 2006
Q: Wrestler A stops a shot from wrestler B and gets a front headlock then moves around and locks up a nearside cradle. When does this become a takedown?
A: When Wrestler A drives his opponent's hip to the mat with the cradle, he scores a takedown.

Q: Is there a national or state rule regarding the wrestler immediately shaking the hand of the OPPOSING coach after the match in a tournament?
A: There is no rule requiring a wrestler shaking an opposing coach's hand immediately after his match. The wrestler is only required to shake his opponent's hand immediately after the match. Also, there is no rule that states a wrestler cannot shake the opposing coach's hand immediately after his match.

Q: Is there a system in place that provides for "Performance Reviews" for officials. If so, what are the categories they are rated on and who does the review?
A: The coaches have a list of approximately 10 performance categories to evaluate an official. The WVSSAC would have that list of categories.

February 20, 2006
Q: Wrestler A takes a shot near the boundary and attempts to finish a single leg takedown with Wrestler B completely out of bounds by putting both toes to the mat. In Wrestler A's attempt to gain control and keep both toes in bounds, Wrestler B reacts by throwing his free leg over the body and grasping a farside power half, thus gaining control himself. Wrestler B is completely out of bounds and Wrestler A is outstretched with only both feet still in. Should B have been awarded the takedown since no part of his own body was in bounds? He was and there wasn't much complaining about it, but I thought it was odd.
A: NO. Because the feet inbounds is only for the attacking wrestler. If he doesn't immediately score a takedown, they are blown out of bounds.

February 16, 2006
Q: I was recently at a Youth tournament where there was a wrestler clearly over weight for the weight class he was wrestling in. This was questioned every time he got ready to wrestle and again when the match was over. Nothing was done by the tournament committee to address this because the wrestler was from the hosting team. The response they gave every time was that the kid had already been weighed in and that he could not be reweighed because he has eaten. Don't you think if he was at the appropriate weight at weigh-ins, even if he did eat, he should not be more than 5 lbs over weight? If you have to be able to provide proof of age, what are the rules with regard to weight?
A: You are talking about a youth tournament, so there is no governing body such as the WVSSAC. The WVSSAC has no jurisdiction over youth tournaments. The rules of a youth tournament, I assume, are determined by that event's tournament committee. Complaints end with the youth tournament committee; there's no where else to go.

February 4, 2006
Q: If wrestler A gets two seperate cautions for an incorrect starting position, and then is signaled for stalling, would he receive a 1 point penalty, or a warning?
A: A warning for stalling.

February 2, 2006
Q: The question dated 1/29/06 seems to ask if a point for stalling can be given without there first being a warning or caution for stalling. Your response seems to address the fact that stalling is judgement call of the official, which of course is correct. However, doesn't there always have to be a caution given first, prior to subsequently awarding points and eventual disqualification for repeated offenses? Or am I incorrect in my reading of the question?
A: You are right. With stalling there is first a warning. My error. Note, if there was a previous warning and two illegal holds, and the wrestler is then penalized for stalling, it would be a two-point penaly. Sorry for the confusion.

January 31, 2006
Q: Wrestler A locks his hands while Wrestler B is on the mat. Because scoring may be imminent for Wrestler B, the locked hands is a delayed call while Wrestler B attempts to complete a switch. Prior to stoppage, Wrestler A commits an illegal hold by locking on a full nelson. Are both violations called?
A: YES.

Q: Are you allowed to compete in a open tournament at the age 0f 13-15 if you are 15 years old and have wrestled high school matches as a 9th grader??
A: With the principal's permission and the team does not have a match that day, but double check with the WVSSAC (304) 485-5494, for safety's sake. The WVSSAC rule may have changed; you don't want him to be ineligible.

January 30, 2006
Q: Can a wrestler be penalized for locked hands if he has a "two on one" hold. In other words, the wrestler in control holds one of his opponents arms with both of his hands, while his arms are wrapped around the opponent's body?
A: The only way a wrestler can be penalized for locked hands with the "two-on-one ride" is if his hands overlap.

January 29, 2006
Q: Interpretation of the stalling rule in high school wrestling. Approximately how long before it is called and how many tines before a point is awarded to the opponent that committed the foul? The scenerio was wrestler A was reversed then attempting to do a stand up could only move from referee position to left leg up and on right knee with right hand control while wrestler B never attempted a pinning move just tried too prevent the stand up wrestler A lost a point for stalling and never was warned or cautioned is this a correct call?
A: You're not going to like this answer, but stalling is in the eyes and mind of the individual official. It's a jugdment call, and no two officials call stalling the same way. All you can hope for is that the individual official is consistent.

January 28, 2006
Q: Exactly what does the rule say about wrestlers NOT having to shake the hand of the opposing coach following the completion of a match? Is there such a rule?
A: There is no rule against shaking the opponent's coach's hand after a match.

Q: I will have a homescholled 8th grader in two years who loves to wretle and is Good. Can he compete in a non public school youth league and still compete in the wsaz tournament since it is not sanctioned by a school system? This being he is not enrolled in school.
A: I don't think so. You will need to contact the WVSSAC. The phone number is (304) 485-5494.

January 27, 2006
Q: Wrestler A applies a cradle and then rocks the bottom wrestler directly on top of himself placing both his shoulders on the mat. While still in control of wrestler B, can wrestler A pin himself by sitting there flat on his back?

The rule book states that only the wrestler with the advantage may score a near fall.

Would a reversal need to be signaled before awarding back points and a fall, or, can the wrestler in control be pinned without near-fall time being counted out, and with no near fall points being awarded if the wrestler in control gets off his back prior to a reversal or pin?.

These were little kids but it went on for like like ten seconds and I called a pin for wrestler B. The opposing coach got upset, but I didn't know how else to call it. Anyway, I like volunteering as a ref and need to know, Can you inadvertantly pin yourself with no change of control and no near fall count?

A: ABSOLUTELY! It's what is called a "Defensive Pin or Fall."

January 23, 2006
Q: If a wrestler's foot or any other body part goes off the mat and touches the floor is the match stopped even if it is on a "split mat"?
A: It should be stopped. With the split mat, the referee would stop the match himself and see to it that mat tape is applied to eliminate the split. Safety first!

January 22, 2006
Q: Is it illegal to use suana suits to make weight?
A: Plastic and nylon sweat suits are illegal.

January 20, 2006
Q: My son wrestled a tournament in which his opponent stuck his finger down my son's throat. My son complained to the referee and his response was he didn't see it...
A: A wrestler can not stick his finger in his opponent's mouth. It is unnecessary roughness and would be penalized as such if observed by the official.

January 18, 2006
Q: Can you figure 4 the head in a pinning combination?
A: YES.

January 9, 2006
Q: What exactly is considered an illegal "slam" in pee wee wrestling? Is it legal to throw an opponet using the hip while having opponent in head lock (cowboy)?
A: A slam is when a wrestler drives his opponent's body to the mat with excessive force from a standing position. The slam is a judgment call by the official.

Q: Wrestler A has an arm bar across the back and the wrestlers are on the edge of the mat. Wrestler B circles around to try to get off of the mat while wrestler A tries to keep him on and his arm gets twisted up too high. Is it the wrestlers fault?
A: If the defensive wrestler causes a hold by the offensive wrestler to become illegal, there is NO penalty. The referee would stop the match immediately for the safety of the defensive wrestler

January 4, 2006
Q: Wrestler A and Wrestler B are locked up. They proceed to wrestle out of bounds in front of the scorer's table. After the referee stops the match due to being out of bounds, Wrestler A shoves Wrestler B to break the lock. Wrestler B is thus thrown into the scorers table. Is the referee responsible to warning Wrestler A about his conduct?
A: Depending on the severity, the referee can indicate "unsportsmanlike conduct," awarding his opponent a match point. Or, he could call a "flagrant misconduct," which would end the match, awarding his opponent with the win.

Jump to Making the Call, Part One (October 22, 1997 to January 9, 1998)
Jump to Making the Call, Part Two (January 15 - February 20, 1998)
Jump to Making the Call, Part Three(February 21 - May 1998)
Jump to Making the Call, Part Four (June - September 1998)
Jump to Making the Call, Part Five (October 1998 - March 1999)
Jump to Making the Call, Part Six (April 1999 - December 2001)
Jump to Making the Call, Part Seven (January 2002 - May 2003)
Jump to Making the Call, Part Eight (May 2003 - December 2005)

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