2023-2024 Folkstyle Girls Rules: 

Step-out - Approved by 2023 USA Wrestling at Leaders’ Summit
Modification to Folkstyle Rules In the girls divisions at the Folkstyle Nationals and Folkstyle Tour of America events.

Step-out rule - there will be 1 point awarded if from a neutral position (with neither wrestler on the mat with one or two knees touching in a down position) the action goes out of bounds based on NFHS guidelines. All attempts by both wrestlers should be made to wrestle aggressively and in the center of the mat. The step-out point will be awarded to the opponent of the wrestler who goes out of bounds first with two or more supporting points. 

Clarifications:  

• This rule differs from the NFHS rules for being “inbounds”. Once the step-out criteria is met the opponent will be awarded 1 point. If there is a step-out by the defensive wrestler and the offensive wrestler immediately completes a scoring action, that action will be scored the step-out point will NOT be scored. The official should not sound the whistle for the step-out and allow the offensive action to score. 
• Once the wrestler steps out of bounds with two supporting points, that wrestler cannot return from out of bounds to score points. The whistle will sound and 1 point is awarded to the opponent and wrestling will resume in the middle of the mat.
• If the defensive wrestler leaves the mat under attack to avoid being scored on, the step-out point will be scored plus 1 point for fleeing the mat.
• If the offensive wrestler uses a straight arm “push-out”, the opponent is NOT penalized. This is considered stalling under the NFHS rules and should be penalized accordingly.
• If the defensive wrestler stands in an attempt to gain and escape point, is driven out of bounds, without gaining an escape point, there will NOT be a step out point awarded. (Neutral wrestling was not established)
• If the defensive wrestler stands, is awarded the escape point, and then steps out of bounds, the step out point will be awarded.
• Step outs points are recorded “SO-1” in a scorebook and will be a “+1” in Trackwrestling. Step out points are NOT to be considered penalty points.