INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 19, 2002) - The modification of the weigh-in procedure for duals, multiple-duals events and individual tournaments, and the establishment of a gender-appropriate weigh-in procedure headline the rules changes approved by the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee at its April 7-8 meeting in Indianapolis. The rule changes will go into effect with the 2002-03 wrestling season.    Jerry Diehl, NFHS liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee, said that the focus of the committee continued to be on the weight-management issue.    "The committee has made changes that it feels are bringing our schools one step closer, or staying in line with, our weight-management philosophy," Diehl said.    The significant changes to the NFHS Wrestling Rules Book include Rule 4-5, which now states: "The weigh-in procedure for duals, multiple-dual events and individual tournaments has been modified to reflect the same procedure, with the only difference being the one-hour and two-hour time frames."     "The weigh-in procedure was just fine-tuned to expedite the process," said Dave Carlsrud, chairman of the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee and assistant to the executive secretary of the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA). "If a wrestler needs to challenge another scale, it must be done immediately, rather than waiting until others are finished."    In addition, a gender-appropriate procedure has been established for weigh-ins. The authorized weigh-in person shall be of the same gender as the wrestlers.    "We addressed a situation that has not existed in the past," Carlsrud said. "People who are doing weigh-ins and skin inspections need to be of the same gender."     In Rule 4-5-3, the language permitting state associations to establish weigh-in procedures for subsequent days of tournaments has been removed. All regular- and post-season tournaments will now be following the two-hour weigh-in stipulation for each day of a tournament.    Other significant changes dealt with risk minimization, including Rules 4 and 5.     With Rule 4, the 215-pound weight class is no longer an option. There are now 14 weight classes with the addition of the 215-pound weight class. The committee felt the large variance in weight between the 189-pound and 275-pound classes would be addressed with the addition.     "Adding the 215-pound weight class is a positive thing," Carlsrud said. "We use it in North Dakota, and often it is accompanied by great competition."    Rule 4 now states that, "A wrestler's shaved head must be no more abrasive than a clean-shaven face or the competitor must wear a legal hair cover." The rationale resulted from the head being used more than a face while tying up with an opponent and the abrasiveness has caused problems similar to the unshaven facial hair.    In addition, language has been inserted in Rule 4 to limit a competitor to the weight class that the actual weight determines. The competitor may not re-weigh at a higher class. Penalties for illegal holds, unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct have been added to Rule 5. By adding these three violations to the list of infractions, all penalties are treated the same.    Two other areas also were addressed with the rule changes - equipment and sportsmanship.    Rule 4 added language to define an undershirt when worn under the sleeveless shirt. The undershirt must be of a single, solid color, unadorned and with no more than one, visible manufacturer's logo/trademark. Rule 4 also states that the requirement for a shoe to have laces has been removed as long as the shoe meets all other regulations.     In the sportsmanship area, Rule 7 stipulates that the throwing of any wrestler's equipment is now unsportsmanlike conduct. In addition, Rule 7 now states that the penalty for coaching an injured wrestler during an injury time-out has been removed.     In Rule 1, the committee approved a minimum recommended body fat for females of 12 percent. The minimum recommended body fat for males will remain at seven percent.    "With the increasing number of female wrestlers, the committee felt this change was necessary," Diehl said.    The NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee stressed the Points of Emphasis on front headlocks; hygiene of the wrestlers, including clothing and mats; intimidation; unnecessary roughness and taunting; and headgear delay.    Rule Changes for 2002-2003    4-1-1a. Language added to define an undershirt when worn under the sleeveless shirt.     4-1-3. The requirement for a shoe to have laces has been removed as long as the shoe meets all other regulations.     4-2-1. A wrestler's shaved head must be no more abrasive than a clean-shaven face or the competitor must wear a legal hair cover.     4-4-1. The 215 lbs. weight class is no longer an option. There now are 14 weight classes.     4-5. The weigh-in procedure for duals, multiple-dual events and individual tournaments has been modified to reflect the same procedures with the only difference being the 1-hour and 2-hour time frames. A gender-specific procedure has been established for weigh-ins.     The provision for state associations to establish weigh-in procedures for subsequent days of tournaments has been removed. All regular and post-season tournaments will now be following the 2-hour weigh-in stipulation for each day of a tournament.     Language has been added that once a wrestler weigh-ins, the competitor cannot re-weigh in order to move up to another weight class.     5-2-5f, g and h. Penalties for illegal holds, unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct have been added to this Article.     7-4-2. The throwing of any wrestler's equipment is unsportsmanlike conduct.     7-5-3. The restriction of coaching a competitor during an injury time-out has been removed.      Points of Emphasis  1. Front headlocks  2. Hygiene: wrestler, clothing and mats  3. Intimidation, unnecessary roughness and taunting  4. Headgear delay