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VIII. Glossary of Terms & Abbreviations

Common Abbreviations:

Knowledge Check

What does AHCP stand for, and who qualifies?
Answer (flip to read):
Appropriate Healthcare Professional. Qualifies: MD, DO, PA, NP, or Certified Athletic Trainer.

Definitions A-C

Blue Book
The MHSAA Wrestling Officiating Mechanics & Procedures Manual. It supplements the NFHS Rule Book and dictates specific mechanics for Michigan officials.
See: Module I (Professionalism)
Caution
A ruling given for a false start or incorrect starting position. Two cautions are warnings; the third and subsequent cautions result in a 1-point penalty.
See: Module IV (Penalties)
Control
The state in which a wrestler exercises restraining power over an opponent. Control is the necessary criterion for awarding points for Takedowns, Reversals, and Near Falls.
See: Module II (Scoring)

Knowledge Check

What is "control" and why is it important?
Answer (flip to read):
Control is when a wrestler exercises restraining power over an opponent. It's the basis for awarding Takedowns, Reversals, and Near Falls - no control, no points.

Definitions D-F

Default
A termination of the match awarded to the opponent when a wrestler is unable to continue due to injury (after injury time expires) or fails to make weight/report.
See: Module III (Timeouts)
Escape
When a defensive (bottom) wrestler gains a neutral position and the opponent loses control. Awarded 1 point.
See: Module II (Scoring)
Flagrant Misconduct
Physical or non-physical acts of a serious nature (e.g., biting, striking). Results in immediate disqualification, deduction of 3 team points, and removal from the premises.
See: Module IV (Penalties)

Definitions I-N

Illegal Hold
A maneuver that is dangerous to life or limb (e.g., full nelson, twisting hammerlock). The match is stopped immediately, and a penalty point is awarded to the opponent.
See: Module IV (Penalties)
Near Fall
A position where the offensive wrestler holds the opponent's shoulders or scapulae within 4 inches of the mat or at an angle of 45 degrees or less for a specified time (2-4 seconds). Points: 2 (2 sec), 3 (3 sec), 4 (4 sec), 5 (4 sec + injury stoppage).
See: Module II (Scoring)

Knowledge Check

What are the two criteria for near fall position?
Answer (flip to read):
1) Shoulders within 4 inches of the mat, OR 2) Back exposed at 45 degrees or less to the mat.

Definitions P-R

Potentially Dangerous
A legal hold that progresses to a point where injury is likely (e.g., a limb twisted beyond normal range of motion). The referee stops the match to prevent injury but awards no penalty points.
See: Module IV (Penalties)
Recovery Time
A maximum of 2 minutes allowed for a wrestler to recover from an injury caused by an illegal hold or unsportsmanlike act. This time is not deducted from the wrestler's injury time bank.
See: Module III (Timeouts)
Referee's Position
The starting position on the mat where one wrestler is on the bottom (hands and knees) and the other is on top.
See: Module VI (Match Procedures)
Reversal
When the defensive wrestler comes from underneath and gains control of the opponent without first achieving a neutral position. Awarded 2 points.
See: Module II (Scoring)

Knowledge Check

What's the difference between "Potentially Dangerous" and "Illegal Hold"?
Answer (flip to read):
Potentially Dangerous: Legal hold approaching injury - NO penalty points. Illegal Hold: Maneuver that is always illegal - penalty points awarded.

Definitions S-T

Stalemate
A situation where neither wrestler can improve their position. The referee stops the match and restarts play in the center of the mat.
See: Module VI (Match Procedures)
Stalling
When a wrestler does not make an honest attempt to stay in bounds and wrestle aggressively. It can be called in neutral, top, or bottom positions. Progression: Warning, 1pt, 1pt, 2pts, DQ.
See: Module V (Stalling)
Takedown
When a wrestler, from a neutral position, gains control of the opponent on the mat. Awarded 3 points (2024-25 rule change - increased from 2).
See: Module II (Scoring)
Technical Fall (Tech Fall)
A win declared when one wrestler leads by 15 or more points. The match ends immediately when the differential is reached, unless an immediate pin opportunity exists.
See: Module II (Scoring)

Definitions U-Z

Unnecessary Roughness
Physical acts that exceed normal aggressiveness, such as a hard cross-face or shoving an opponent after the whistle. Penalized as a violation (1st: 1pt, 2nd: 1pt, 3rd: 2pts, 4th: DQ).
See: Module IV (Penalties)

Knowledge Check

How many points is a takedown worth in 2024-25?
Answer (flip to read):
3 points (increased from 2 points in previous seasons).

Quick Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Can you define these terms without looking? Flip to check your answers.

1. What is the injury time limit per wrestler per match?
Answer:
90 seconds (1.5 minutes) cumulative.
2. How many stalling calls lead to disqualification?
Answer:
5 calls (Warning, 1pt, 1pt, 2pts, DQ).
3. What's the technical fall margin?
Answer:
15 points.
4. What happens on a second injury timeout?
Answer:
Opponent gets choice of position on restart.
5. What's the consequence of flagrant misconduct?
Answer:
Immediate DQ, 3 team points deducted, removal from premises.
6. How many points of contact are needed in bounds under the 2024-25 rule?
Answer:
Only ONE point of contact (on or inside the boundary line).
7. What document must a wrestler with a skin condition present?
Answer:
Official MHSAA Communicable Disease Form signed by MD, DO, PA, or NP.
8. How much recovery time is allowed for injury caused by an illegal hold?
Answer:
2 minutes (does not count against injury time bank).