USA Wrestling Rules Changes for 2026 – Eric Frandsen – Director of Officials

• If a bout ended due to a tech fall and a challenge was made and a score changed to make it not a tech fall you would restart in par terre only if wrestling was in par terre. For example, scoring went 4R,2R, 2R, 2R. Challenge made and the 4R went to a 2R, par terre start and resume wrestling.

• Stepping or treading on the foot is now LEGAL to do in Freestyle and Womens

• No more two defensivel leg fouls would disqualify from the bout, 3 cautions still does.

• In GRECO if a match ends 1-1 and the points are not technical point the one who scored FIRST wins the match.

• In GRECO if a technical point is scored in a 1-1 match, the one who scored the last technical point wins the match

• Technical points are step outs, cautions not a passivity point (Non-technical points include passivity points, injury simulation point, and lost challenge

            point)

• Step out in a grounded position scores in both freestyle and greco, no more dropping to avoid the step out point Anytime the athletes start in standing position and go to par terre/grounded position with no points scored prior to going oob, then a “grounded” step out will be called, unless the clearly offensive wrestler in that sequence goes oob first.

• PUSHING an opponent out is still illegal and won't be scored.

Contact Eric with any questions [email protected]