Subject: wrestling rules press release

Following is the press release on high school wrestling rules changes
for 2008-09 as approved by the National Federation of State High School
Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee and the NFHS Board of
Directors. The press release is also attached as a Word document.

High School Wrestling Rules Changes Announced for 2008-09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bob Colgate

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 1, 2008) - The National Federation of
State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee
emphasized risk minimization and standardized procedures to assist both
coaches and referees through 16 wrestling rules changes for the 2008-09
school year. Rules changes were made by the committee at its April 5-7
meeting in Indianapolis and subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of
Directors.

The time sequence for the offensive wrestler in assuming the
offensive starting position was standardized with the addition of a note
to Rule 5-20-5. First, the wrestler must set the knee(s) and feet.
Second, the wrestler must place the palm of one hand on the navel.
Third, the wrestler must place the palm of the other hand on or over the
near elbow. Fourth, the referee shall pause momentarily before starting
wrestling. This rule change is meant to provide consistency for coaches,
wrestlers and referees. While each action is currently standard
practice, there has not been a written sequence of those events in the
NFHS Wrestling Rules Book.

"These changes provide further rules support based on
interpretations," said Bob Colgate, assistant director of the NFHS and
liaison to the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee. "The clarifications make
the rules easier to administer."

With an emphasis on sportsmanship, the committee approved two
rules changes meant to encourage sportsmanlike conduct by wrestlers and
coaches. An addition to Rule 6-7-1c6 states that an unsportsmanlike act
that occurs at anytime during the match shall take precedence over the
first points scored in the regulation match in determining choice of
position in the ultimate tiebreaker. So the wrestler whose opponent has
received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at any time during the match
will now have choice of position in the ultimate tiebreaker.

In addition, a change to Rule 5-31-1 removes the penalty for
coaches whose wrestlers report to the scorer's table not in proper
uniform, not properly groomed, not properly equipped or not ready to
wrestle.

The addition of Rule 7-1-5w makes a back flip from a standing
position an illegal maneuver. The rule was added as an effort to
minimize risk to all wrestlers. "Any time you're dealing with risk minimization in wrestling,
it's paramount," Colgate said. "Someone could have been seriously
injured if we did not take that initiative."

The committee also addressed the issue of skin conditions. A
revision to Rule 4-2-3 allows an on-site physician to examine a wrestler
with a particular skin condition without a physician's release form
immediately after the weigh-in. A new Rule 4-2-5 allows a physician's
release form for a non-communicable skin condition, such as a birthmark
or eczema, to be valid for the duration of the season, with some
stipulations.

The committee also approved the following rules changes:

* A change to Rule 2-2-2 clarifies the boundary for the
restricted zone for coaches.

* A revision to Rule 4-1-5 requires the wrestler's uniform
to be worn as intended/designed by the manufacturer. This change gives
rules support to a previous NFHS interpretation.

* Rule 4-2-1 will state that a wrestler's hair, in its
natural state, shall not extend below the eyebrows.

* A change in Rule 4-5-5 allows for a one-pound weight
allowance when a competition is postponed for one calendar day or more
due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. The head coach,
principal or athletic director of the opponent must be given 48 hours
advance notice to be granted the one-pound weight allowance.

* A change to Rule 5-15-3 gives referees the option to
stop a match if there is no action at the edge of the mat and to restart
wrestling in the center of the mat.

* A new addition to Rules 5-25-6c and 7-6-6c provides
rules support for the interpretation of stalling as "repeatedly creates
a stalemate situation to prevent an opponent from scoring."

* In Rule 6-6-1, when the wrong wrestler is given choice
of position at the start of the first 30-second tiebreaker in overtime,
the opponent will be given the choice at the start of the second
30-second tiebreaker. Previously, this would have been considered bad
time.

* In Rule 7-4-1, the committee further defined unnecessary
roughness by including ". . . a forceful slap to the head or face,
and/or gouging or poking the eyes."

* The committee also approved a new signal for referees to
indicate when to start recovery time during a match.

The committee adopted four points of emphasis for the upcoming season,
including grooming and medical checks, reporting to the scorer's table
ready to wrestle, going out of the wrestling area, and referees' signals
and mechanics.

Wrestling is the sixth-most popular program for high school boys
in terms of participants, with 257,246 boys wrestling in 9,445 schools
throughout the country. It is also gaining popularity among high school
girls, with 5,048 girls participating in 1,227 schools, according to the
NFHS 2006-07 High School Athletics Participation Survey.