VAL Wrestling Rules

*NFHS rules updated as of April, 2024 and will be followed in the VAL;

- Wrestlers will be inbounds with only one point of contact of either wrestler inside or on the boundary line.

- Takedowns will be awarded three points.

- Near-Fall criteria will be awarded 2 points for holding for 2 seconds, 3 points for 3 seconds, and 4 points for 4 seconds.

NFHS Rules shall be followed with the following modifications:

1.    A player must not wear anything that is dangerous to themselves or other players, and all jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, etc.) is forbidden and must be removed. Covering jewelry with tape or bandages is not an acceptable alternative; the jewelry must be removed. 

 a.) Medical or religious medals may be an exception, but they must be taped down and worn under the uniform, and medical alert bracelets may be visible but must also be taped.

2.    A boy/girl must wrestle at the lowest weight classification for which he/she is eligible in at least one match during the season.  He/she may also wrestle in the next weight class above, except from 175 to heavyweight.

3.    A minimum mat border of 6 feet should be met for safety.

4.    176 - 235 Heavyweight classification.

5.    Teams may not take part in a chant or cadence yell for their team member on the mat.  Example: “PIN! PIN! PIN!”

6.    Weight allowances:

• a.    2 pound allowance, approximately Oct. 30
• b.    1 pound extra allowed for all Monday meets.
• c.  1 pound extra allowed for any back-to-back meets (both teams).

7.    NCAA Guide to be used with appropriate Junior High modifications:

• a. Three one-minute periods
• b. No advantage time or points
• c. Overtimes – 1^st period/1 minute Sudden Death or first point scored;
• c2. 2nd overtime – 30 and 30 (30 sec. on top/30 sec. on bottom no matter what, unless there is a pin);
• c3. 3rd overtime - 30 sec. riding time; whoever scores 1st gets choice in match (top or bottom)
• d. Head gear optional
• e. Mouthguards are mandatory for anyone with braces, dental work.
• f. Tennis shoes may be worn
• g. Weight classifications (19):  70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 205, Hwt. (175 - 235)

8.    *WEIGHT LOSS IS HIGHLY DISCOURAGED*

9.    Weigh-ins will be conducted the day before a match, before practice begins.  This is the official weigh-in, wrestlers cannot weigh in again.  If this is not possible ( wrestler absent from practice, a Monday match, back-to-back matches, etc.), then the weigh-in will be conducted prior to noon the day of the match.

10.To seed wrestlers, a coach must attend the seeding meeting. Wrestlers must have competed (forfeit by the opponent) in a regular season league match at a weight to be seeded at that weight for league/sectional/county finals.

11. For the regular season match, the teams do not have to start wrestling @ 70lbs (lightest division) every match. This is to avoid heavyweight becoming the last wrestler of the match every meet. Pre-setting the starting weight during preseason coaches meeting is highly encouraged.

12. Athletes will be allowed to wrestle in consecutive matches with a 15-minute rest between matches.

13. The VAL will host a Girls Wrestling League Finals that will serve as a means for Girls to qualify for Girls County Finals beginning in the 2025-2026 SY.