Three-point takedowns: PIAA adopted these wrestling rule changes for 2024-25 (2025)

Jeff UveinoErie Times-News

Three-point takedowns: PIAA adopted these wrestling rule changes for 2024-25 (1)

Three-point takedowns: PIAA adopted these wrestling rule changes for 2024-25 (2)

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It might take some time before wrestling fans grow used to yelling a different number.

Eventually, screams of 'three!' will permeate Pennsylvania high school gymnasiums when observers identify a takedown. Not two.

That’s right. Takedowns are now worth three points in PIAA wrestling.

It’s one of several rule changes adopted by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and implemented by the PIAA for 2024-25. Near-fall points and out of bounds criteria will be different, too, as part of sweeping rule changes that more closely resemble collegiate wrestling.

Takedowns are now worth three points. Near-falls can now earn up to four. Only one point of contact is required to stay in bounds.

We’ll all grow used to it in time.

“All the coaches I spoke with at our interpretation meeting loved the rules changes,” said Dave Kruszewski, a PIAA and NCAA wrestling official based in Erie. “You’re rewarding aggressiveness. That’s what I heard over and over.”

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R.I.P., 'Two!'

College wrestling debuted the three-point takedown last season.

When announcing its approval in 2023, the NCAA’s Wrestling Rules Committee rationalized that increasing the value of takedowns would reward offensive action and create a more appropriate scoring differential between takedowns and escapes. An escape earns one point.

“I think it’s a good rule because I think takedowns are the most valuable part of wrestling,” Cathedral Prep coach Mike Hahsey said. “If a kid is really good on his feet, you can start two of the three periods on your feet, which puts you at a tremendous advantage.”

The NFHS provided a similar rationale, hoping to promote scoring activity from the neutral position.

“The better kid is going to win more often than not anyway,” Harbor Creek coach Mark Sallot said. “The kids are more used to it than the coaches will be because they watch college wrestling all the time.”

When collegiate wrestling rules changed, however, high school scoring stayed the same. That’s no longer the case.

“We needed to be in line with the college rules,” General McLane coach Ryan Cook said. “Wrestling needs to be more fan-friendly. Having a completely different rule set between two levels of the sport? We’re kind of shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Three-point takedowns: PIAA adopted these wrestling rule changes for 2024-25 (3)

Three-point takedowns: PIAA adopted these wrestling rule changes for 2024-25 (4)

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More impactful change than takedowns?

Three-point takedowns are wrestling’s most glaring rule change. Of the three main changes coming to high school competition, however, Kruszewski argued they’ll be least consequential.

Kruszewski saw the new rules first-hand while refereeing NCAA competitions. Three-point takedowns, he said, did not alter the strategy or flow of most matches.

But extra near-fall points did.

“It really opens up scoring,” Kruszewski said. “Tech falls happened so much quicker with the extra near-fall point.”

Under previous NFHS rules, two points were awarded if near-fall criteria were met for a count of two seconds, or three points if the count reached five. Now, two points are awarded for a two-count, three points for three, and four points for four.

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Mis-matches, Kruszewski said, now end faster. Expanded scoring opportunities also devalue the stalling call.

Perhaps the most impactful change, some coaches and referees feel, is altered criteria for staying in bounds.

Only one point of contact by either wrestler is now required to stay in bounds. This eliminates previous confusion surrounding “balance” points such as toes and “supporting” points such as knees or feet. Old rules required two of the latter to remain in bounds.

“If you have a pinky in bounds touching the mat, or even on the line, you’re in,” Kruszewski said. “If you lift it up, we’re out of bounds. It simplifies a lot of situations.”

Other high school rule changes for 2024-25 include altered criteria surrounding the completion of a technical fall and a PIAA-specific change regarding coaching ejections. Technical falls will now conclude once near-fall criteria are no longer met and team personnel who are ejected or disqualified from a contest must leave the competition area or risk forfeiture by their team.

PIAA wrestling action opens Nov. 29.

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Contact Jeff Uveino at juveino@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @realjuveino.

Three-point takedowns: PIAA adopted these wrestling rule changes for 2024-25 (2025)

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