The rules committee added language prohibiting wrestlers from "leaving the feet and using the foot or leg to 'cut out' an opponent's leg, to include from the rear-standing position" to Rule 7-1-5n. The change was among eight wrestling rule modifications approved by the NFHS Board of Directors following the rules committee's April meeting in Indianapolis.
The National Federation of State High School Associations has approved a revision to its wrestling rules aimed at reducing injury risk from the leg block or cut-back maneuver, expanding the definition of the already-illegal move.
The rules committee added language prohibiting wrestlers from "leaving the feet and using the foot or leg to 'cut out' an opponent's leg, to include from the rear-standing position" to Rule 7-1-5n. The change was among eight wrestling rule modifications approved by the NFHS Board of Directors following the rules committee's April meeting in Indianapolis.
"The committee added language about leaving the feet to help ensure that this move is not attempted because of the significant risk of injury," said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and student services and wrestling rules editor.
The committee also clarified technical fall criteria, adding language to Rules 5-11-2c and 5-11-4b stating that when a near-fall creates a 15-point advantage, "the match shall continue until the near-fall criteria is no longer met."
Hopkins said the change eliminates confusion between pinning situations and near-fall criteria while making technical falls consistent with takedowns or reversals that create 15-point advantages.
Equipment changes include allowing wrestlers to wear leg sleeves without pads, similar to existing rules permitting tights on both legs. Beginning July 1, 2027, school names, logos, mascots and wrestler names will be permitted on uniforms.
Additional changes allow dual meets to be conducted from lowest to heaviest weight classes and replace "arm" with "extremity" in technical violation rules regarding locked hands.
The complete rules changes are available at www.nfhs.org under "Activities & Sports." TSSAA head coaches receive free access to the digital rules book and are briefed annually on rules changes through mandatory rules clinics.
Wrestling ranks as the sixth-most popular boys sport with 291,874 participants at 11,149 schools nationwide, according to the most recent NFHS participation survey. An additional 64,257 girls compete at 7,138 schools.
