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NCAA: Matside video review changes approved in men's wrestling

NCAA
Jun 11

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Tuesday approved modifications to the matside video review process in men's wrestling for the 2025-26 season.

Third-party reviewers will be allowed to consult with the referee about pertinent information on a coach's video review challenge.

Previously, third-party reviewers looked at the sequence being challenged without any consultation with the mat referee.

Additionally, coaches will retain their video challenge if there is obstruction in any part of the video sequence that is being challenged.

Coaches also will retain their challenge if the action being questioned is not in the frame of the video.

Previously, in these scenarios, coaches lost their challenge if the video wasn't determined to show indisputable evidence that the original call should be overturned.

Another approved rule change is if the video review system fails, video review will not be used for the remainder of that match/bout.

Other rules changes

  • Eliminating the interlocking fingers penalty because it is virtually impossible for referees to determine who created the violation.
  • No longer requiring the referee to say "set" from all three starting positions.
  • Stopping the riding time when the offensive wrestler, in rear standing position, is going to be called for stalling.
  • Establishing a protocol to request a review of flagrant misconduct penalties. The conference will have up to 48 hours to make the request on behalf of a school to a panel that would include the NCAA men's wrestling secretary-rules editor, the NCAA national coordinator of men's wrestling officials and an independent third party.
  • Penalizing wrestlers for unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing, tossing, spiking or sliding any piece of equipment before, during or after the match.
  • Eliminating the mat return from the broomstick position (when the offensive wrestler leaves both feet and makes contact with the back of the defensive wrestler's legs in the broomstick position) from illegal holds.

    The list of rules changes will be incorporated into the 2025-26 and 2026-27 Men's Wrestling Rules Book.

    The NCAA Men's Wrestling Rules Committee rescinded proposals that would have made wearing ear protection optional and would have required wrestlers to wear mouth guards during competition.