BTB, need your help here! I’ve been coaching, spectating, and competing in this sport pretty much my whole life. And never have I been more confused about, and seen less consistency with, out of bounds rules. Every time I think I understand I have another ref tell me something different. Or see a different interpretation on the mat. The officials don’t know the rules, the coaches don’t, and the wrestlers certainly don’t. Fans? Most probably never understood from the start, but it kills me that something as basic as when the wrestlers are out of bounds is so poorly understood. Imagine football having that kind of uncertainty. Chaos! Can you please explain the out of bounds rules for 1) normal (non pinning) situations, and 2) pinning situations? And any other situations where the rules are different. I’d really like to understand this before post season. Though, me understanding as a coach is of limited usefulness if the refs don’t understand too.
Re: Help us BTB!
Posted by Yeah on 1/22/2024, 3:10 pm, in reply to "Help us BTB!"
Agreed! Someone help us out here!
Re: Help us BTB!
Posted by Not BTB, but a ref on 1/22/2024, 3:28 pm, in reply to "Help us BTB!"
You aren't wrong for being confused, as the interpretation given to us by the WOA differs from the "official" rule.
One of the problems with the new rule is the re-introduction of a situation where wrestling may continue but nearfall and pins cannot happen, which had been removed for a number of years.
Here is a summary of the interpretation:
-If both feet AND one knee are in-bounds, nearfall and pins may happen
-If both feet are in, but both knees are out, wrestling may continue, but pins/NF cannot.
-If a knee and foot from the same leg remain in-bounds but the other is out, wrestling may continue but pins/NF cannot
-If a wrestler is on their back, their scapula become all of their supporting points (knees and feet don't matter). If any part of the shoulders are in or on the line, they are considered in.
-Referees may whistle it dead for safety purposes (like small mats against the wall or hardwood, or the coaches chairs in the corner) regardless of points being in or out.
-If they are on the edge with no significant action, the ref is to blow it out of bounds.
BTB will likely give a more complete and technical explanation than me (and correct me if I'm wrong), but hopefully this helps.
Re: Help us BTB!
Posted by Dave G on 1/24/2024, 7:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Help us BTB!"
I think you did a very good job explaining that and hopefully BTB can come on and add to it.
Re: Help us BTB!
Posted by Another Ref on 1/24/2024, 8:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Help us BTB!"
From what I understand, if only both toes are in, you do not continue wrestling.
Re: Help us BTB!
Posted by Another Ref on 1/24/2024, 8:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Help us BTB!"
The last sentence of Art 3 says if there is no action at the edge of the mat, the referee shall stop the match. So if the knees go out and it's just the toes, you can give him a couple seconds to get back in, otherwise it's out. They made this way more difficult this year.