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VI. Match Procedures
Match Structure Overview
1st Period (2 minutes)
Starts in neutral position. Both wrestlers standing, facing each other.
2nd Period (2 minutes)
Coin toss winner chooses: Top, Bottom, Neutral, or Defer
3rd Period (2 minutes)
Coin toss loser gets choice (unless winner deferred, then loser chose for 2nd)
Starting the Match
The Coin Toss (Disk Toss):
- When: Before the match begins (often at captains' meeting or immediately mat-side).
- Who: Visiting captain/wrestler calls Red/Green.
- Result: Winner gets choice of position (Top, Bottom, Neutral, Defer) for the start of the 2nd period. Loser gets choice for the 3rd period (if 2nd period choice wasn't deferred).
Knowledge Check
Who calls the coin toss - home or visiting wrestler?
Answer (flip to read):
The VISITING wrestler calls the coin toss.
Scenario: Defer Choice
Green wins the coin toss before the match and says "I'll defer." What does this mean for period choices?
Answer: By deferring, Green passes their choice to the 3rd period. Red now chooses position for the 2nd period, and Green chooses for the 3rd period. This is often strategic - the wrestler who defers gets to see how the match unfolds before making their choice for the final period.
Knowledge Check
If the coin toss winner defers, who chooses position for the 2nd period?
Answer (flip to read):
The coin toss LOSER chooses for 2nd period. The winner who deferred then chooses for 3rd period.
Starting Positions
- Neutral: Both wrestlers standing, facing each other, one foot on the line.
- Referee's Position (Top/Bottom):
- Bottom: Knees on the mat behind the line, hands in front of the line. Heels down (or toes tucked).
- Top: One or two hands on the opponent's back (midline), head on the midline. Optional start (standing) is not used in HS referee's position starts.
Scenario: Incorrect Starting Position
Red is in the bottom position for referee's position start. You notice Red's hands are behind the line (should be in front) and Red's knees are in front of the line (should be behind). You're about to blow the whistle.
Call: Don't blow the whistle yet! Correct Red's position first. "Red, hands in front of the line, knees behind the line." Once both wrestlers are in correct position, then start. If Red repeatedly takes incorrect position after you've corrected them, that becomes a false start (caution).
Knowledge Check
In referee's position, where should the bottom wrestler's hands and knees be relative to the starting line?
Answer (flip to read):
Hands IN FRONT of the line, knees BEHIND the line.
Positioning & Mechanics
"Be in good position to make the right call."
- The 45-Degree Angle: In neutral or referee's position, position yourself at roughly a 45-degree angle to the wrestlers. This allows you to see the "slot" (space between them) and anticipate action.
- Level Change: When wrestlers go to the mat, you go to the mat. Do not referee a pin from a standing position. You must see the shoulder blades.
- Movement: Move constantly. Do not get stuck flat-footed. Circle the action to maintain the best view of control and potential falls.
- The Whistle: Use it crisply. Start and stop action decisively.
Scenario: Poor Positioning
Green gets a takedown and is working to turn Red. You're standing upright, watching from above. Red's shoulders are close to the mat but you can't tell if they're within 4 inches. Green's coach is yelling "Count! Count!"
Correct Action: Get down! When wrestlers go to the mat, you go to the mat. You need to be at mat level to accurately see shoulder position for near fall. Drop to one or both knees, get your eyes at the level where you can see the angle of the shoulders to the mat. Only then can you accurately count near fall or call a pin.
Knowledge Check
What angle should you position yourself at relative to the wrestlers, and why?
Answer (flip to read):
45-degree angle. This lets you see the "slot" between wrestlers and anticipate action while maintaining a clear view of control.
Stoppages
- Out of Bounds: Blow the whistle when the supporting points of both wrestlers are outside the boundary line.
- Potentially Dangerous: Stop immediately if a limb is twisted beyond normal range or a hold puts a wrestler at risk of injury.
- Stalemate: Stop if neither wrestler can improve their position due to a locked situation.
- Referee's Timeout: Signal by tapping chest. Used for equipment adjustment, shoe tying (penalize if stalling), or consulting with the scorer's table.
Scenario: Out of Bounds Under New Rule
Green and Red are scrambling near the edge. Green's entire body is outside the boundary except for one hand that's touching the line. Red is completely out of bounds but Green is still controlling Red.
Call: Wrestling continues! Under the new one-point-of-contact rule, Green's hand on the line counts as inbounds. Even though most of Green is outside the circle, that one point of contact keeps the action live. Only blow the whistle when ALL supporting points of BOTH wrestlers are outside the boundary.
What Would You Call?
Red and Green are locked up on their feet in a stalemate - neither can advance or retreat. They've been in this position for 10 seconds with no movement or change. Both wrestlers look stuck.
Answer (flip to read):
Stalemate. Stop the match. Neither wrestler can improve position - the situation is locked. Restart in the center in neutral position. Note: Don't be too quick to call stalemate - give them a few seconds to work out of it first.
Knowledge Check
Under the new boundary rules, when do you blow the whistle for out of bounds?
Answer (flip to read):
When ALL supporting points of BOTH wrestlers are outside the boundary line. If either wrestler has even one point of contact in bounds (on the line counts), wrestling continues.
Tiebreaker Procedures
If the match is tied at the end of regulation (three 2-minute periods):
Sudden Victory (1 minute):
- Starts in neutral position
- First wrestler to score wins immediately
- If still tied, proceed to tiebreakers
Tiebreaker Periods (Two 30-second periods):
- Coin toss winner chooses top or bottom for TB1
- Other wrestler chooses for TB2
- Offensive wrestler must score to win that tiebreaker
- If neither scores or both score equally, most "near fall" points wins
Ultimate Tiebreaker (30 seconds):
- If still tied after TB periods
- Coin toss winner chooses top or bottom
- Defensive wrestler must escape or reverse to win
- If offensive wrestler prevents escape/reversal, offensive wrestler wins
Scenario: Sudden Victory Scoring
Match is tied 4-4 after regulation. In sudden victory, 30 seconds in, Red shoots and gets a takedown. As you're signaling the takedown, you notice Green is immediately on their back - near fall position.
Call: Match over! Red wins 7-4 (takedown). In sudden victory, the FIRST score wins - you don't continue to add more points. As soon as Red scored the takedown, the match ended. The near fall position doesn't matter because the match already ended with the takedown.
What Would You Call?
In Tiebreaker 1, Green chose top. 25 seconds in, Green hasn't scored. Red hasn't escaped. Time expires with Green still on top but no points scored. Who wins TB1?
Answer (flip to read):
Red wins TB1. In tiebreaker periods, the offensive wrestler (top) MUST score to win. If no score by top wrestler, bottom wins that tiebreaker. Now proceed to TB2 where Red starts on top and must score.
Knowledge Check
In the Ultimate Tiebreaker, which wrestler wins if there's no escape or reversal?
Answer (flip to read):
The OFFENSIVE (top) wrestler wins if they prevent the escape/reversal. The defensive (bottom) wrestler must escape or reverse to win the ultimate tiebreaker.