Infractions, Penalties, and Injury Time-Outs
Illegal Holds
Illegal holds are dangerous and can cause injury. Whenever a referee witnesses one of these holds being used, he awards one point to the offender's opponent. Illegal holds include, but are not limited to:
Hammerlock - pulling the opponent's arm too high on the back or pulling the arm away from the back.
Headlock - arms or hands are locked around the opponent's head without encircling an arm.
Full Nelson - arms are under both arms of the opponent and behind the head.
Intentional Drill - a forceful fall back in which the defensive wrestler, while standing, goes forcibly to the mat while the offensive wrestler has a scissors-hold on him (legs crossed encircling the body.)
Potentially dangerous holds occur when a body part is forced to the limit of the normal range of movement. The referee will caution a wrestler against forcing a hold into an illegal position; however, he will not stop the wrestling action unless it is necessary to prevent an injury. Potentially dangerous holds include the double wristlock, scissors, toe holds, and the guillotine.
Technical Violations
Technical violations may cause the offending wrestler to be penalized one point. The referee may give cautions (warnings) about some technical violations, but not all. Technical violations include assuming an incorrect starting position, a false start, the grasping of clothing or headgear, interlocking hands, and leaving the wrestling area without first receiving the referee's permission to do so.
Conduct Infractions
When a referee witnesses one of the following conduct infractions, he will take the action specified.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct - physical and nonphysical acts that can occur before, during, or after a match. They include failure to comply with the directions of the referee, shoving, swearing, taunting, baiting an opponent, throwing headgear, and spitting. An offending wrestler is penalized one point.
Flagrant Misconduct - any physical or nonphysical act occurring before, during, or after a match that the referee considers to be serious enough to disqualify a contestant from a match or tournament event. These acts include biting, hitting, head butting, elbowing, and kicking an opponent.
Stalling - Each wrestler is required to make an honest attempt to stay within the 1O-foot circle and wrestle aggressively at all times. When a referee recognizes stalling (e.g. the wrestler is playing the edge of the mat, avoiding contact, not trying to improve his position or secure a take down) he will warn the offender. Further violations are penalized.
Penalties and warnings (cautions) are cumulative throughout the match and overtime. Penalty points are awarded to the offender's opponent. He is awarded one point for the first and second offenses, and two points for the third offense. On the fourth offense, the offending wrestler is disqualified.
Injury Time-outs
Injury time-outs are cumulative throughout the match and over time. A wrestler is limited to two time-outs totaling a maximum of 11/2 minutes. The number of bleeding time-outs is determined by the referee, who, if necessary, will stop the match. If the bleeding is not controlled within five minutes, the match is terminated and the opponent is awarded the match by default.