This article provides a comprehensive overview of the rules and regulations governing wrestling, covering various aspects from dual meets to uniform requirements, scoring, and specific guidelines for AAU tournaments and women's wrestling.
Dual Meets
Competition in dual meets shall be conducted by random draw of weight classes, or lowest weight to heaviest. In multi-dual events, the sequence determined by the draw will be followed for that day's subsequent meet competition; the subsequent dual meet shall begin one weight class beyond the starting weight class of the previous round.
The NFHS already permits states to select from three different weight class categories. This proposed change aligns with that flexibility, allowing states to choose how to determine the starting weight class for dual meets.
Uniform Regulations
Effective July 1, 2027, the school's name, school nickname, school logo, school mascot, weight classification and/or the wrestler's name are permitted on the uniform top and/or bottom. Any manufacturer logo/trademark/reference that appears on the wrestling uniform, including legal hair covering can be no more than 2 1/4 square inches with no dimension more than 2 1/4 inches and may appear no more than once on each item of uniform apparel.
We allow wrestlers to wear tights on both legs and that is no different than a sleeve on one leg. Requiring a pad on these sleeves serves no purpose other than more equipment monitoring for the officials. Manufacturers produce knee sleeves that are just the same and add a separate knee pad, and it has no negative effect on the opponent.
Read also: Discover the story of Casey Swiderski
Near Fall Scoring
A near fall occurs when the offensive wrestler has control of the opponent in a pinning situation and near-fall criteria are met for a period of two seconds or longer. A near fall is ended when the defensive wrestler gets out of a pinning situation.
The referee must not signal the score for a near fall until the situation is ended and only one near fall shall be scored in each pinning situation, regardless of number of times the offensive wrestler places an opponent in the near-fall position criteria during the pinning situation. If the near-fall creates a 15-point advantage, the match shall continue until the near-fall criteria is no longer met.
If a takedown or reversal, straight to a near-fall criteria creates a 15-point advantage, the match shall continue until the near-fall criteria is no longer met. Once the technical fall has been earned, the offensive wrestler cannot lose the match. If a near-fall creates a 15-point advantage, the match shall continue until the near-fall criteria is no longer met.
Technical Violations
Interlocking or overlapping the hands, fingers or arms around the opponent's body (with or without an extremity arm included) or both legs by a wrestler in the advantage position, unless the opponent has all the weight supported entirely by the feet or has lifted the opponent off the mat or the opponent has met near-fall criteria, is a technical violation and the penalty point(s) shall be awarded in addition to points earned.
This rule change seeks to clarify language regarding the leg block or "cut-back". When applied the move/maneuver can cause significant injury to the defensive wrestler lower extremities.
Read also: Sectional Wrestling Tournament Details
AAU Tournaments
Coaches are asked to enter minimum weight data for female wrestlers in the girls season in USA Bracketing.
Following statement will be published on all Tournament Flyers: Note - Please be aware there is a strong likelihood that you will wrestle more than five (5) matches in one day.
Wording will be changed in Scholastic Duals information regarding 7th and 8th graders to read: Incoming Freshmen will be allowed to compete in the duals.
For all AAU national events weigh-ins will last for four hours and take place the day before competition begins. Satellite weigh-ins are allowed. An AAU official will be present in the weigh-in room during all scheduled weigh-ins. There will be only one weigh-in for either single or multiple day events.
All wrestlers must weigh-in wearing a singlet.
Read also: The story of Angelo Posada
During weigh-ins, the trainer or medical personnel will complete a full skin evaluation process on each athlete. No alteration in any uniform/equipment will be permitted in order to control the spread of skin disease. All contagious skin diseases should be evaluated on site by the trainer working that event and only then if deemed that the wrestler is unfit for participation. The Trainer has final word of participation unless medical release is provided by a licensed medical doctor.
All AAU referees, judges, mat chairs, and pairing masters shall conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. It is essential that each official exhibit good citizenship and high moral conduct in their relationships with athletes, parents, coaches, fans, and fellow officials. Each must, at all times, maintain the highest degree of personal integrity.
Anyone interested in wrestling is invited to join the National AAU Officials District. There can be many interesting challenges and opportunities for those who select to become part of our officiating family.
Protests
Protest must be of a technical (rule violation), not of a judgmental nature. Protest must be submitted to the Tournament Technical Committee within thirty (30) minutes of the end of the alleged violation.
The protest must include:
- Names of contesting wrestlers or persons involved, including their Division and weight class.
- Mat number or its identification if the mats are not numbered.
- Names of the officials who observed the alleged violation.
- Nature of the protest, including particular rules violated.
A $50.00 refundable deposit, if protest is upheld, is required at the time of the protest filing. If the protest is denied, the deposit is retained by the Tournament Committee.
An un-appealable final decision will be rendered by the Tournament Technical Committee, as soon as possible, before the next round in that weight class. A written report of all protests, including their results, will be forwarded to the AAU National Wrestling Chair.
Pairing and Brackets
Pool Pairing maybe used in team dual competitions in all styles of wrestling. Team duals may use brackets, pools or a combination of both. Rules for brackets & pools are found in the International Style (FILA) or the National Federation of State High School Athletic District (NFSHSAA) rulebook. AAU has modifications to both rulebooks. Contact the National Official(s) for further information.
The chief pairing master has many responsibilities and plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of a wrestling tournament. It is important to remain calm and on top of things at all times. When errors occur, and they will happen, it is essential that they be corrected as soon as possible. Remember, THE TOURNAMENT IS BEING CONDUCTED FOR THE WRESTLERS. Their rights must always be protected.
During international tournament weigh-ins, each competing wrestler draws a number which he keeps throughout the tournament. There is no seeding. The draw will not be used when using TrackWrestling. The size of many tournaments in the United States normally does not permit the use of this procedure. We do allow separation of teammates or wrestlers from the same area for the first two rounds.
A wrestler may wrestle the same opponent twice during the same tournament.
Individual tournaments - Brackets will be used when there are six (6) or more. If there are only 5 or less wrestlers, the round robin system of “one against the other” is applied. All National tournaments will be run using the number system. Brackets will not be repaired due to no shows unless it creates a double bye.
If a wrestler is forced to withdraw from the tournament because of an injury, illness, or a reason approved by the Tournament Committee, he must officially withdraw in writing.
In case of incorrect pairing:
- Stop the round involved if possible and correct it.
- If the round has already been wrestled, hold those bout sheets.
- Correct the round and wrestle those matches indicated.
- As wrestling continues, if a bout from the incorrect pairing appears, that bout will be used.
In each round, the pairings and the results of each bout are recorded on a master pairing sheet. A wall pairing sheet shall also be posted for the competitors so they may be informed about the result of their matches and the next round of pairings. An order of bouts shall be posted for the competitors.
In international competition the color of the uniform is determined by the wrestler in the bracket. The top wrestler in the bracket is red.
DISQUALIFICATION from a bout does not mean disqualification from the entire tournament, unless the mat official clearly states that.
Rules and Tie Breakers
Folkstyle, Individual, Pool, and Dual Matches will use the current High School Federation Rules with modifications. Freestyle and Greco-Roman, Individual, Pool, and Dual Matches will use the current FILA Rules with modifications.
Tie breakers for Individual tournaments will be published at each tournament. Tie breakers for Pool Play will be published at each tournament.
District Wrestling Committee
An important feature of the various levels of competition is the distinctive authority of the District Wrestling Committee. With AAU Youth competitions, the District is only required to follow the AAU Youth program rules. As such, they receive support from the National Youth office in the form of guides and information.
Local, District, Regional, and National Competitions
These are local wrestling events that any amateur (AAU card holding) athlete may enter if in the proper birth year division. Please note some of these competitions are used as qualifiers for District meets. In some instances, Districts are divided into sections or regions, with each area possibly holding a preliminary meet. Contact your local coaches or AAU District Youth Wrestling Chair for more information.
These are District-wide wrestling events, which are open to eligible amateur (AAU card holding) athletes.
Club/Team Competition
Action at the annual AAU Wrestling Committee Meeting in 1993 gave the local organizing committees of National AAU Wrestling events the clearance to include club/team competition. It is the prerogative and responsibility of the tournament host to determine and announce if there will be club/team competition.
In any competition for club awards, a wrestler may represent only one AAU club/team.
Club/Team types:
- Super Clubs/Teams - will consist of a roster of All Star wrestlers
- Level 1 Clubs/Teams - will consist of a roster of less than seventeen (17) wrestlers.
Club/Team rosters will be obtained through TrackWrestling.
The coach must submit a copy (proof) of the clubs/team current membership with the AAU at registration time to be eligible for club/team competition. Placement earned only by those on the point earning list will be included in club/team scoring.
Once weigh-ins close, the only changes that are allowed are changes in a wrestler’s weight class.
Team Point System: No advancement or fall points will be awarded. Only placement points will be used to compile club/team scores.
- First place = 16 points
- Second place = 12 points
- Third place = 9 points
- Fourth place = 7 points
- Fifth place = 5 points
Women's Wrestling
The AAU encourages the development of women’s events. Females may wrestle in all AAU wrestling events but most compete against the males in the appropriate weight, classes and divisions. If a female division is offered, you may wrestle in this.
Female age divisions will be comparable to those of the male divisions. Similarly, weight classes will either parallel those of the males or block weights (the Madison System) may be employed.
The age categories and weight classes for women’s wrestling shall be identical to those for men’s wrestling.
Uniform Requirements
The uniform requirements for women's wrestling include:
- A leotard or a singlet specifically cut/designed for women. It is mandatory that all participants have at their disposal one singlet of any design.
- Wearing supple wrestling shoes with no heels, buckles, or metal attachments.
- Wearing a bra without metal clasps is recommended.
- Hair must be tied back with an elastic or ribbon, with no metal attachments.
- Without jewelry.
A separate area for female weigh-ins will be provided.
Bouts are to be identical in length for men and women.
General Technical Rules are identical for men and women.