Rule Changes in College wrestling for '25 - '26

[Psalm 1 guy]

Matside video review changes approved in men’s wrestling - NCAA.org

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Tuesday approved modifications to the matside video review process in men's wrestling for the 2025-26 season.

www.ncaa.org

 

[Fatwoodchuck]

Penalizing for sliding head gear, c'mon man.

Sliding the headgear towards your coaches after a big win should not be a penalty, ever.

You bet your *** if I go out there and beat Levi 4-1 (not to far fetched 🫣) I am ripping my head gear off and sliding it,in a very happy way, towards my coaches!

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

Penalizing for sliding head gear, c'mon man.

Sliding the headgear towards your coaches after a big win should not be a penalty, ever.

You bet your *** if I go out there and beat Levi 4-1 (not to far fetched 🫣) I am ripping my head gear off and sliding it,in a very happy way, towards my coaches!

Agreed. It also mentions "any piece of equipment" under this rule. What if you are wearing a mouthguard, it falls out and you toss it aside? Is that a penalty? If they were going to mess with this rule I wish they would have just completely done away with the rule. If the wrestler is taking off their headgear and doing something clearly unsportsmanlike with it (e.g., tossing it toward/at the other team's bench, hurling it into the stands), then the Unsportsmanlike Conduct section in the Rulebook could be used without having to define unsportsmanlike actions regarding headgear or other equipment. Possibly the rule is more reasonable at the HS and below level (but see the Easton/Nazareth dual controversy in the So you want to be a ref? thread), but I see it as overkill at the College level.

 

[pawrstlersinpa]

Still nothing about attaching a set of electrodes to the refs balls and zapping him if he doesn't call stalling aggressively?

Since the 3- point takedown has been an abject failure at increasing action, what's the next step?

 

[GregPickel]

Matside video review changes approved in men’s wrestling - NCAA.org

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Tuesday approved modifications to the matside video review process in men's wrestling for the 2025-26 season.

www.ncaa.org

Thanks.

Of note, two proposals that were previously up for approval did not pass: A rule that would have made headgear optional and a rule requiring wrestlers to wear mouthguards during competition.

 

[GregPickel]

Still nothing about attaching a set of electrodes to the refs balls and zapping him if he doesn't call stalling aggressively?

Since the 3- point takedown has been an abject failure at increasing action, what's the next step?

Consistently calling stalling would be a good if not the best next step but that conversation has been going on forever.

 

[Wrestleknownothing]

if I go out there and beat Levi 4-1

In your dreams you can make the rule whatever you want.

 

[An Old Pair of Asics]

Still nothing about attaching a set of electrodes to the refs balls and zapping him if he doesn't call stalling aggressively?

Since the 3- point takedown has been an abject failure at increasing action, what's the next step?

Reluctance to call stalling before the final minute of the match is a big issue. Subsequent frequency of stall calls in the final minute is right behind it.

 

[GregPickel]

Reluctance to call stalling before the final minute of the match is a big issue. Subsequent frequency of stall calls in the final minute is right behind it.

Amen!

 

[manatree]

Reluctance to call stalling before the final minute of the match is a big issue. Subsequent frequency of stall calls in the final minute is right behind it.

Amen!

This has always been my biggest gripe with officials and fans. A foul/penalty/stall should be defined by the rules, NOT the time on the clock.

 

[yekrut321]

I know that Angel Rivera takes a lot of criticism but doesn’t he call stalls rather quickly?

 

[Corby]

Still nothing about attaching a set of electrodes to the refs balls and zapping him if he doesn't call stalling aggressively?

Since the 3- point takedown has been an abject failure at increasing action, what's the next step?

I can see a step out in the next few years. But my opinion if we do that we need a zone on the mats like freestyle. So if a wrestler earns an escape in that zone then he can't give up a step out point. We can't leave it up to a judgement call and the refs discretion to decide if he escaped to close to the edge.

 

[SleepyLion]

I know that Angel Rivera takes a lot of criticism but doesn’t he call stalls rather quickly?

Sometimes...like many officials.

 

[Fatwoodchuck]

In your dreams you can make the rule whatever you want.

I think you have been through enough data that you know it's a fact I can beat Levi.

The only reason why you dont believe it to be true is, i didn't say i was beating Nico in the room.

 

[Wrestleknownothing]

I think you have been through enough data that you know it's a fact I can beat Levi.

The only reason why you dont believe it to be true is, i didn't say i was beating Nico in the room.

I will torture the numbers until they speak. You can count on me. Together we will get you that 4-1 win. Levi never stood a chance.

One more thing before I dig in, we are talking Levi Strauss, right?