7. Violations & Penalties
7.1 Stalling
Stalling is one of the most actively enforced infractions in NCAA wrestling, contrasting sharply with UWW's passivity system. A wrestler is considered stalling when they are not making a genuine effort to wrestle aggressively regardless of position.
The progressive penalty structure for stalling:
- 1st offense: Warning (no points awarded)
- 2nd offense: 1 point to opponent
- 3rd offense: 1 point to opponent
- 4th offense: 2 points to opponent
- 5th offense: Disqualification
Stalling on the feet (neutral) can include backing off the mat, circling away without engagement, or hand-fighting without attacking. On the mat, the bottom wrestler can be called for stalling by not making an honest effort to escape or reverse. The top wrestler can be penalized for not attempting to improve their position (merely riding without working for a fall or near fall).
7.2 Illegal Holds & Maneuvers
The following are illegal in NCAA wrestling:
- Full nelson: Both arms under the opponent's arms and behind the head (half nelson is legal).
- Slam: Lifting and returning the opponent to the mat with unnecessary force. The lifting wrestler is responsible for the safe return of the opponent.
- Headlock without the arm: A headlock must include the opponent's arm to be legal. Locking hands around only the head is illegal.
- Twisting knee lock: Any hold that applies twisting pressure to the knee joint.
- Straight back suplay: Throwing an opponent directly backward from a standing position onto their head or neck.
- Figure-four body scissors: A figure-four leg lock applied around the torso.
- Bending or twisting fingers: Individual finger manipulation.
- Holds over the mouth, nose, or throat: Any hold that restricts breathing.
- Locking hands around the body or both legs in neutral: Locked hands around the torso without including a leg, or clasping around both legs simultaneously from the front (while in neutral).
7.3 Locked Hands Penalty (Top Position)
When in the top position on the mat, a wrestler may not lock hands (grip one hand with the other) around the torso or both legs of the bottom wrestler unless the opponent is on their feet or within a near-fall count. This is unique to folkstyle — it prevents the top wrestler from simply clinging to the bottom wrestler without working for a fall. Violations result in 1 point to the opponent (first offense), then 2 points for subsequent offenses.
7.4 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
- 1st offense: Deduction of 1 team point (dual meets) and 1 match point awarded to opponent.
- 2nd offense: Deduction of 1 additional team point and 1 match point.
- 3rd offense: Disqualification from the match and removal from the premises.
Unsportsmanlike conduct includes taunting, excessive celebration, abusive language to officials, throwing headgear, and physical acts of aggression outside normal wrestling action. Coaches can also receive unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
7.5 Flagrant Misconduct
Acts of flagrant misconduct (striking, kicking, biting, intentionally injuring) result in immediate disqualification and ejection. The offending wrestler's team forfeits the match (6 team points), and the individual may face further suspension from competition.
7.6 Injury Time
Each wrestler is allowed a cumulative total of 1 minute and 30 seconds of injury time per match (not per period). Blood time is tracked separately — the referee stops the match for bleeding, and the wrestler has a reasonable amount of time to control the bleeding. If bleeding cannot be controlled, the match is defaulted.