Step-out rule modifications for Girls Folkstyle Nationals and Tour of America Events

Step-out - Approved at 2023 USA Wrestling at Leaders’ Summit by the JOWC Modification to Folkstyle Rules In the girls divisions at the Folkstyle Nationals and Folkstyle Tour of America events. Revisions to language approved by JOWC vote Oct1, 2024

Step-out rule - 1 point will be 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 first steps out with both feet.

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 a wrestler and the opposing 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 a wrestler steps out of bounds with both feet while neutral, 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 a 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 a 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 an escape point and 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-out 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.

· The step out in girls' folkstyle is a 1-point offensive score. The signal for a step-out point in folkstyle will be the pointing of the appropriate index finger indicating the point. It would be followed with the signal of both hands in the air indicating both wrestlers return to the standing position, like when indicating the escape point. This is an additional way of signaling the step-out it is not a penalty but an offensive score.

http://youtu.be/DmS2SoLNWJ4

New 2024.2025 Rules ISWA/USAW.