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V. Stalling Penalty Chart

Philosophy: "Stalling is a subjective call based on objective criteria." You must call it when you see it, regardless of the score or time remaining. Consistency is key.

Stalling Progression

Stalling penalties are cumulative throughout the match.

1st WARNING (Visual signal only, recorded)
2nd 1 Match Point to opponent
3rd 1 Match Point to opponent
4th 2 Match Points to opponent
5th DISQUALIFICATION

Knowledge Check

How many stalling calls does it take before a wrestler is disqualified?
Answer (flip to read):
5 calls. First is a warning, then 1pt, 1pt, 2pts, then DQ on the 5th call.

Knowledge Check

What's the difference between the stalling progression and the general penalty progression?
Answer (flip to read):
Stalling gets a WARNING first (5 steps to DQ). General penalties (illegal holds, etc.) have NO warning - 1st offense is 1 point (4 steps to DQ).

Recognizing Stalling

Each position has specific indicators for stalling. A wrestler must make an honest attempt to wrestle aggressively at all times.

Neutral Position (Standing)

Indicators:

Scenario: Neutral Stalling

It's late in the third period. Green is winning 4-2. In neutral, Green keeps circling away, hands out defensively, backing toward the edge of the mat. Every time Red moves forward, Green steps back. Green hasn't attempted a shot in over 30 seconds.
Call: Stalling on Green. Even though Green is winning, they must make an honest attempt to wrestle. Circling away and avoiding contact is stalling. If this is Green's first stalling call, give a warning. Remind Green: "You need to wrestle." The score doesn't matter - call what you see.

What Would You Call?

In neutral, Green keeps shooting but never commits - dropping to a knee, then immediately standing back up without attacking Red's legs. This happens 4 times in 20 seconds. Red's coach is yelling "He's not wrestling!"
Answer (flip to read):
This is "feigning shots" - stalling. Green is faking attacks to appear active but not making honest attempts to score. Give a stalling warning/call to Green.

Offensive Position (Top)

Indicators:

Scenario: Top Position Stalling

Green is on top, winning 6-3 with 45 seconds left. Green has a tight waist ride, lying flat on Red's back. Green isn't attempting to break Red down further or turn Red for back points - just holding on and riding the clock.
Call: Stalling on Green. Even from the top, a wrestler must work to improve position or attempt to pin. Simply "riding out" the clock without offensive action is stalling. The top wrestler has an obligation to work. Give stalling warning/call to Green.

Knowledge Check

Can the wrestler on TOP be called for stalling?
Answer (flip to read):
YES! The top wrestler must work to improve position or attempt to turn/pin. Simply maintaining control to run out the clock is stalling.

Defensive Position (Bottom)

Indicators:

Scenario: Bottom Position Stalling

Red is on bottom, losing 8-2. Instead of trying to escape or reverse, Red goes flat on their stomach and doesn't move. Green is working to break Red down further, but Red just lies there, occasionally grabbing Green's wrists to prevent Green from turning them.
Call: Stalling on Red. The bottom wrestler must attempt to escape, reverse, or improve position. "Playing dead" and grabbing wrists just to prevent action is stalling. Give warning/call to Red. Note: This is true even if Red is losing badly - you still must make an effort.

What Would You Call?

Red is on bottom. Red attempts a stand-up, Green follows and re-secures the waist. Red immediately goes flat again without trying to fight the hands or complete the escape. Red does this pattern twice - stand up partially, then quit.
Answer (flip to read):
Not stalling YET - Red is making attempts. But watch closely. If Red stops attempting escapes altogether and just goes flat, then it becomes stalling. Give Red the benefit of initial efforts, but be ready to call stalling if the pattern continues without genuine effort.

Double Stalling

It is possible for both wrestlers to be stalling simultaneously (e.g., in neutral where neither engages). You can warn or penalize both wrestlers at the same time.

Scenario: Double Stalling

In neutral, the score is 0-0 in the second period. Both wrestlers are standing at arm's length, circling, with hands out defensively. Neither has attempted a shot in over 40 seconds. Both seem content to wait for the other to attack.
Call: Stalling on BOTH wrestlers. This is double stalling - neither is making an honest attempt to wrestle. Stop the match, give both wrestlers a stalling warning (if first offense for each). Restart in neutral. If they continue, both get penalty points. Both wrestlers have an obligation to engage.

Knowledge Check

Can you call stalling on both wrestlers at the same time?
Answer (flip to read):
Yes! Double stalling occurs when neither wrestler is making an honest attempt to wrestle. Both can receive warnings or penalties simultaneously.

Borderline Situations

What Would You Call?

Green is on top, has a tight leg ride, and is actively hand-fighting to break Red down. Red is fighting hard to escape but Green keeps re-securing position. This has gone on for 45 seconds with no score change.
Answer (flip to read):
NO stalling call. Both wrestlers are working - Green is actively trying to improve position, Red is actively trying to escape. Just because no points are scored doesn't mean it's stalling. Both are making honest attempts.

What Would You Call?

Score is 5-4 Green with 20 seconds left. Red shoots, Green sprawls and pushes Red's head down. Green starts backing toward the edge while pushing Red away. Green goes out of bounds. They restart with 12 seconds left. Same thing happens again.
Answer (flip to read):
Stalling on Green. Repeatedly backing out of bounds to kill clock is stalling, regardless of time remaining or score. Call what you see. Green gets stalling warning/call. The time and score don't change your job to enforce the rules.

Knowledge Check

Should you avoid calling stalling late in a close match to "let the wrestlers decide it"?
Answer (flip to read):
NO! Call stalling whenever you see it, regardless of score or time. The philosophy is: "Stalling is a subjective call based on objective criteria - call it when you see it." Consistency matters more than the situation.

Scenario: Accumulating Stalling Calls

Green has already received 3 stalling calls (warning + 1 pt + 1 pt = now 4th call would be 2 pts). Score is 6-5 Green. With 10 seconds left, Green backs out of bounds again, clearly avoiding Red's attack.
Call: 4th stalling call on Green - award 2 points to Red. Score is now 7-6 Red! Red takes the lead with the stalling points. If there's still time and Green stalls again, that's the 5th call = DQ. The fact that it changes who's winning shouldn't affect your call - enforce the rules.