A 3-point takedown in high school wrestling and 5-point near fall among NFHS changes

Beginning in the fall, high school wrestling will look more like college wrestling.

The National Federation of High School Associations met earlier this month and approved six major changes to the sport. There’s no doubt it will change the landscape of how wrestlers game plan in a match. The rules impact takedowns, near falls and what is deemed out of bounds.

One of the biggest is the introduction of the three-point takedown. In the past, taking a wrestler to his back earned two points, unlike the three that was introduced last season at the college level.

“Anytime we can get the rules closer to each other it makes it better for both parties,” Kent State wrestling coach Jim Andrassy said. “Any way we can get those rules to continue, I would like to see everything the same with maybe even riding time. That makes it easier for us.”

Near-fall points in wrestling can now be up to five points

That’s not the only major change to wrestling as near-fall points picked up an overhaul. Previously, wrestlers could score up to four points for a near fall. Its now, up to five.

Two points will be awarded when near-fall criteria is held for two seconds, three points for three seconds and four points for four seconds. If the defensive wrestler is injured, indicates an injury or bleeding occurs after the four-point near-fall criteria has been earned, five points will be awarded.

“The goal is to pin the opponent,” Elliot Hopkins, the NFHS director of sports and student services and the liaison to the wrestling rules committee, said in a news release. “Changing the near-fall points should motivate wrestlers to work for a fall.”

What is considered out of bounds in wrestling drastically changes

The final big change is that a wrestler will be considered inbounds if one point of contact of either wrestler is inside the boundary line.

Previously, high school wrestlers were considered inbounds if a total of two supporting points were inside the boundary line.

The move supports more action and will curb the opportunity for a wrestler to “flee” the mat.

“Without increasing risk, this change eliminates the subjectivity of the out-of-bounds call,” Hopkins said in the news release. “The change also helps officials to call ‘out of bounds’ more consistently, and it provides wrestlers, coaches and spectators to a better understanding of out of bounds.”

The 10-foot circle at the center of wrestling mats is now optional. Wrestlers will still be encouraged to stay in the center of the mat instead of the 10-foot circle.

That rule was changed with new mat designs that have large mascots or logos in mind.

“Anytime that the national high school rules are close to or exactly the same as college rules, for those student-athletes that are moving onto college, it’s helpful,” OHSAA director of media relations Tim Stried said. “It causes less confusion between fans and officials. It’s a good thing all around.

“It’s part of the process. The NFHS has people on the rules committee. We’re a part of the process, and that process has to work itself out. This is an example of where we have changes like this.”

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival