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RULES GUIDANCE

With sanctioning, girls wrestling is now under PIAA rules and regulations.

Policies and Procedures under Sanctioning

With girls wrestling under PIAA jurisdiction, the​ sport is subject to PIAA policies and procedures. Please consult the PIAA website (www.piaa.org) for specific printed policy.

 

In addition, we put together a Sanctioning FAQ with the PIAA that provides information on girls wrestling under PIAA jurisdiction. Information is relevant for schools with and without girls teams. Pertinent information is covered including rostering under sanctioning, eligibility for the post-season, eligibility for in-season competitions, Cooperative Sponsorship Agreements, JH girls wrestling, and many others. Access it here. 

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Note that, overall, the rules for girls and boys high school wrestling in Pennsylvania are the same - there is not a separate Rules Book for girls. The only adjusted rules for girls are weight classes and the definition of a legal uniform. 

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Weight Classes

PIAA girls HS wrestling follows the NFHS 13-weight classes for girls:

100, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 136, 142, 148, 155, 170, 190, 235

 

PIAA girls JH/MS wrestling uses the following 13 weight classes:

71, 77, 83, 89, 96, 103, 110, 117, 125, 135, 148, 165, 200

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Uniform

With NFHS’ updated uniform, hair, and weigh-in rules, the definition of a legal uniform for girls was defined.

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The uniform rule states that ALL wrestlers (girls or boys) wearing a one-piece singlet shall wear a suitable undergarment which completely covers the buttocks and groin area. We recommend that all wrestlers wear compression shorts underneath their singlets/shorts when competing.

 

Female wrestlers must also wear an undergarment that completely covers their breasts and minimizes the risk of exposure. A sports bra can satisfy this requirement if she is wearing a girls cut singlet and it can minimize exposure without also wearing a compression shirt. If wearing a boys cut singlet we recommend that girls wear a tight fitting compression shirt. Ultimately, the risk of exposure must be minimized to honor the rule as well as the privacy and comfort of our female athletes and so how that is best achieved (sports bra only, additional compression shirt) will depend on the fit of a singlet and each individual girl. 

NFHS Wrestling Rules Undergarments
NFHS Wrestling Rules Undergarments

Hair

The NFHS rules for 2020-2021 removed the hair length requirement and a hair covering is now not mandatory. Because there is no longer a hair length rule, girls may wear their hair down and are not required to wear a hair cover. With that said, although girls can wear their hair down, most girls with longer hair will likely prefer to secure their hair with a rubber band so it does not come out during practice or competition. If a hair cover is used, it must be of a solid material, non-abrasive, and must be attached to the headgear. The 2022-2023 Rule Book also allows "hair control devices and other adornments in the hair that are securely fastened and do not present an increased risk to the wrestler, teammates or opponents." 

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Become an Official

All existing PIAA-registered wrestling officials can officiate boys and girls matches. Wrestling also needs MORE officials for our sport! Have you ever considered becoming an official? If you're 16 years old or older, you can become a PIAA official. The process is much easier than most people realize:

 

  1. Go to https://www.piaa.org/officials/become/default.aspx. 

  2. Complete a short application form and pay the $40 fee

  3. Pass the online Officials’ Examination

 

The benefits to officiating are significant!

  • Earn money! Officials usually get paid per event and it’s a great way to earn extra money while being around wrestling!

  • You can set your own schedule. You can say when you are or are not available for matches – work when you want to! This could include nights, weekends, or, if you’re a HS/college student, officiating only over breaks in your academic schedule, or even working around your wrestling schedule if you’re still wrestling!

  • Help grow and support the sport – officiating is a great way to give back to the sport. We all want to give back, and for many people, this is a great way to stay involved while making a difference

  • You are helping to support wrestling – without officials, opportunities for competition are impacted. Help keep the sport growing by being willing to work as an official

  • Gain leadership skills

  • Enter a great network of people in the sport of wrestling

 

For more information, please reach out to us at sanctionpa@gmail.com or visit https://www.piaa.org/officials/default.aspx

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