Rule Interpretations

Headlock/Head Pry
Letter from Pat McCormick
March 1, 2008

I am suggesting that we call the headlock/head pry shown in this video Potentially Dangerous on application.
To open MP2 format: Save it to your desktop, then open it from there by ‘right clicking’ on the clip icon and click on ‘Open With’ then click on ‘Windows media player’.

See Illustration No. 89, WR-110, 2008 Rules Book, which shows a legal head pry. The figure legend states that the top wrestler can use this pry as long as it includes the arm or shoulder. It does not define the arm or shoulder, but I think we all know at least approximately what that means. We also know the intent—not to produce an injury or inflict undue pain. However, the clip shows a hold that has extremely little chance of resulting in injury as applied, i.e., very loose with no back or side pressure. At this point in the situation as shown in the clip I am suggesting that referees call Potentially Dangerous on application. If the top wrestler apples locked hands around the head tightly without the arm or shoulder included, then of course the hold should be called illegal on application.

I will bring this situation before the rules committee in their April meeting so it can be discussed at length.

Pat

Rules Issues and Interpretations
by Pat McCormick
December 7, 2007

Skin Diseases in Wrestling
presented by Robert A. Silverman, M.D.
December 6, 2007

Rules Interpretation: Medical Examinations, Rule 3.9
January 23, 2007

The head referee at a recent tournament, in consultation with a number of traveling team athletic trainers including the host athletic trainer, decided that a team could not participate in the tournament based on information that the team was exposed to herpes earlier that week during practices by two infected teammates. The infected wrestlers were left home and were not at the tournament.

Rule 3.9a states that "A physician or a certified athletic trainer shall exam all contestants for communicable skin diseases before all tournaments and dual meets. It is recommended that this examination be made at the time of weigh-in." All tournaments and dual meets must follow this rule, and it is during this examination that an abnormality may be detected. If it is not, then a wrestler is cleared to wrestle. The committee stresses that being exposed to a contagious skin condition, as in the case of the aforementioned tournament, is not sufficient cause to disqualify a wrestler from participation.

Rule 3.9c states that for tournaments, all competitors must report for medical/skin checks to a designated area. This rule and 3.9a imply that the medical/skin checks are to be conducted at the site of the tournament.

Further, Rule 3.9f reads: "Final determination of the participant’s ability to compete shall be made by the host site's physician or certified athletic trainer who conducts the medical examination, after review of any such documentation and the completion of the exam." Therefore, the responsibility to determine a wrestler's ability to compete under this kind of situation lies with the host athletic trainer or physician, after a medical examination. Of course, it is within the purview of the official to inform the host athletic trainer or physician of suspicious skin conditions of the wrestlers.