NFHS RULES FOR 2023-2024

SECTION 1 ILLEGAL HOLDS/MANEUVERS

ART. 1 ...  What is a slam 

• Is lifting and returning an opponent to the mat with unnecessary force. 

• This infraction may be committed by a contestant in either the top or bottom position on the mat, as well as during a takedown. 

• A slam shall be called without hesitation.

ART. 2 ...  Suplay and Salto

• A full, straight-back suplay and the straight-back salto are illegal.

ART. 3 ... Forcefully Falling Backward

• An intentional drill or a forceful fall-back is illegal and usually occurs when the defensive wrestler, from a standing position, goes forcibly to the mat while the offensive wrestler has a scissors or a cross-body ride.

ART. 4 ... Finger Pulls

• Pulling back as opposed to grasping the thumb or 1, 2 or 3 fingers of an opponent's hand.

ART. 5 ... Others described below and seen in pictures 38-90

Other illegal holds/maneuvers include, but are not limited to:

(a)  a double underhook snap back from the standing position;

(b)  the hammerlock above the right angle;

(c)  the twisting hammerlock along with lifting the elbow off the back in a hammerlock situation;

(d)  any headlock in which the arms or hands are locked around the opponent's head without encircling an arm (elbow or above) or leg (except in the guillotine after near-fall criteria has been met or ¾ Nelson);

(e)  straight head scissors (even though an arm is included); full nelson;

(f)  holds/maneuvers putting pressure on the throat and/or carotid artery;

(g)  twisting kneelock taken against the joint and/or away from the body; keylock;
overhead double arm bar;

(k)  locking the hands behind the back in a double arm bar from the front;

(l)  neck wrench;

(m)  front, quarter nelson with the chin;

(n)  leg block(cut-back);

(o)  overscissors when pressure is applied against the joint which may cause hyperextension; 

(p)  bending, twisting or forcing the head or any limb beyond its normal limits of movement:

(q)  back bow;

(r)  figure 4 around the body, the head or both legs;

(s)  chicken wing with pressure toward the shoulder, parallel to the long axis of the body;

(t)  hand(s) in the eye(s) or raking the eye(s);

(u)  any hold/maneuver used for punishment;

(v)  any hold/maneuver with pressure exerted over the opponent's mouth, nose, throat or neck that restricts breathing or circulation;

(w)  a back flip from the standing position, or a front flip and/or front hurdle over an opponent in the standing position;

(x)  rear-standing, double-knee kickback; 

(y)  and the Nelson-Cradle.

ART. 6 ... When a legal move becoming illegal

• • A wrestler applying a legal hold/maneuver shall not be penalized when the opponent turns a legal hold/maneuver into an illegal hold/maneuver.

  • The referee shall cause the hold/maneuver to be released when it becomes illegal.

  • The match need not be stopped unless the referee finds it necessary to do so in order to correct the situation. 

  • Whenever possible, an illegal hold/maneuver shall be prevented rather than penalized.

ART. 1 ... Others described below and seen in pictures 38-90

Other illegal holds/maneuvers include, but are not limited to:

(a)  a double underhook snap back from the standing position;

ART. 1 ... Holds/maneuvers 

• Are potentially dangerous when a body part is forced to the limit of normal range of movement. 

• The wrestler applying such a hold/maneuver shall be cautioned against forcing it into an illegal position. 

• If the offensive wrestler causes a potentially dangerous hold/maneuver to become illegal, the offender shall be penalized according to the Penalty Chart.

ART. 2 ... Potentially dangerous holds/maneuvers include:

(a)  the double wristlock;

(b)  split scissors;

(c)  the guillotine, when the arm is forced to such an extent as to endanger a contestant;

(d)  chicken wing;

(e)  toeholds:

(f)  a front headlock or any headlock with an arm or leg encircled;

(g)  when a wrestler stands, with one or both arms trapped; 

(h)  and other holds/maneuvers which may cause injury when used legally.

• Contestants should know the dangers of these holds/maneuvers. 

• The referee should anticipate the dangers of injury from these holds/maneuvers and be in a position to block them before they reach the danger point. 

• The referee shall verbally caution contestants against forcing potentially dangerous holds/maneuvers into illegal positions without interrupting action, unless it is necessary to stop the hold/maneuver in order to prevent injury. 

• When the defensive wrestler stands supporting all of the weight of the offensive wrestler, a potentially dangerous situation exists and the referee shall stop the match. 

• See Photos 91-104

ART. 3 ... The double wristlock and chicken wing 

• Become illegal when forced into a twisting hammerlock position, or 

• With the force applied parallel instead of perpendicular to the long axis of the opponent's body.

ART. 4 ... 

• No contestant should ever be put in a position where they must forfeit a neutral position, a position of advantage or a fall because of an injury or danger to life or limb. 

• The referee shall promptly stop any and all holds/maneuvers which are being used for punishment. 

• If a legitimate hold/maneuver is forced to such an extent as to endanger a contestant, or if it becomes a punishing hold/ maneuver, the referee shall stop the match in order to require the hold/maneuver to be broken. 

• The match shall be restarted as following an out of bounds.

ART. 1 ... Inbounds

• Going out of the wrestling area or forcing an opponent out of the wrestling area, by either wrestler at any time as a means of avoiding an imminent scoring situation, is a technical violation for fleeing the mat. 

• Both wrestlers should make every effort to remain inbounds. 

• When the referee feels that either wrestler has failed to make every effort to stay inbounds during an imminent scoring situation, the offending wrestler shall be penalized for fleeing the mat. 

• There can be no technical violation of fleeing the mat if near-fall or takedown points have been earned.

ART. 2 ... Grasping of clothing, mat or ear guards by a contestant is prohibited.

• Any advantage gained thereby shall be nullified. 

• Grasping of clothing, mat or ear guards to gain or prevent an escape, reversal, takedown, near fall or fall is a technical violation and the penalty points shall be awarded in addition to points earned.

ART. 3 ... 

• Interlocking or overlapping the hands, fingers or arms around the opponent's body (with or without arms 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 points shall be awarded in addition to points earned. 

• When bringing your opponent to the mat, hands overlapping or interlocking beyond reaction time is a technical violation. 

• See Photos 103-106

ART. 4 ... Leaving the wrestling area, without first receiving permission to do so from the referee, is a technical violation.

ART. 5 ... Reporting to the scorer's table, not properly equipped, or not ready to wrestle, or any equipment that is detected as being illegal after the match has started is a technical violation. (See Penalty Chart)