Sports
Did you know:
The NFHS is responsible for making and maintaining the rules for high school sports in the United States. They also provide valuable resources that promote health and safety, develop leaders, and increase participation.
Rules Writing Information
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Adapted Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Flag Football
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Boys Lacrosse
Girls Lacrosse
Ice Hockey
Soccer
Softball
Spirit
Swimming & Diving
Tennis
Track & Field
Unified Sports
Volleyball
Water Polo
Wrestling
ACTIVITIES
Did you know:
9 out of 10 music educators say they entered the profession to dedicate themselves to a profession that gives them purpose.
NFHS Performing Arts Conference
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Esports
Music
Speech and Debate
Theatre
Inclusion in Activities
RESOURCES
Did you know:
The NFHS publishes the most thorough report on high school participation data in the country.
#BecomeAnOfficial
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Data, Statistics & Research
Participation Data & Statistics
Explore state and national high school participation stats from the NFHS’s annual data report.
Record Book
The National High School Sports Record Book honors standout athletes, coaches and teams for exceptional achievements in high school sports.
Laying the Foundation
Middle School
The NFHS advocates for middle-level education that supports the physical, emotional and developmental needs of middle school student-athletes.
Outreach & Advocacy
#BecomeAnOfficial
Help us recruit and retain referees, umpires, judges, and officials
#BenchBadBehavior
Join the fight to stop bad behavior by fans in youth sports
#PlayPerformCompeteTogether
Let's celebrate everything we love about education-based sports and activities
#ThisIsHSFootball
A partnership with the NFL to celebrate America’s game at the high school level
#WeSeeYou
Addressing the national mental health crisis currently facing students
PSA Campaign
Download free audio PSAs customized for your state
STORIES
Did you know:
The NFHS Network is the largest streaming platform for high school sports and activities in the nation.
NFHS Network
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National High School Hall of Fame
Recognizing, preserving, and promoting the heritage high school performing arts
The NFHS Voice
A monthly newsletter from Chief Executive Officer Dr. Karissa Niehoff
Top Stories
Articles relevant to high school sports and activities
High School Today
Awards
View All News
View All Publications
ABOUT
Did you know:
The NFHS serves 15,236,000 students from 19,983 high schools across 51 state associations.
What are Education-based Athletics?
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About the NFHS
Board & Staff
Mission & Purpose
State Association Directory
NFHS Digital
Become a Member
Coaches Association
Officials Association
Music Association
Speech, Debate & Theatre Association
Conferences and Events
Committee Meetings
CX Debate Topic Selection Meeting
National Athletic Directors Conference
National Student Leadership Summit
Performing Arts Conference
Summer Meeting
Winter Meeting

Wrestling

rule books

Print books

Two wrestlers face off on the cover of the 2025-26 NFHS Wrestling Rules Book, with a purple background and white text.

Rules publications, including rules books, case books and manuals, contain the official rules for high school sports and are designed to explain all aspects of the sport.

Purchase Print Books

Two wrestlers face off on the cover of the 2025-26 NFHS Wrestling Rules Book, with a purple background and white text.

digital books

Two wrestlers face off on the cover of the 2025-26 NFHS Wrestling Rules Book, with a purple background and white text.

Rules publications are available in an online format through NFHS Digital, the online platform for NFHS rules publications.

Two wrestlers face off on the cover of the 2025-26 NFHS Wrestling Rules Book, with a purple background and white text.

Wrestling Rule Changes

1
Wrestling Rules Changes - 2025-26
September 26, 2025
1-2-2 — Modified optional procedure to determine starting weight classification.
4-1-2 — Modified the school’s name and associated marks on the uniform.
4-3-5 — Modified the use of leg sleeves without built-in pads.
5-11-2c, 5-11-4 — Clarified how a technical fall is scored.
7-1-5n — Clarified an illegal hold/maneuver.
7-3-3 — Clarified an illegal hold/maneuver.
Referee Signal Corrections:
Official Wrestling Signals — Removed a signal for the referee’s time-out.
Official Wrestling Signals — Change direction of arrows in "Indicate No Control" signal.
Official Wrestling Signals — Modified the Near-Fall Signal.

Rules Resources

Wrestling Rules Interpretations - 2025-26
Wrestling Rules Poster - 2025-26
Wrestling Comments on the Rules - 2025-26
Wrestling Points of Emphasis - 2025-26

Rules Resources