Courtesy FILA/Alexander Oreshnikov
Over the weekend, wrestling’s top officials met at the FILA Extraordinary Congress in Moscow to vote on major changes in wrestling, so it makes it more exciting for the fans.
The biggest change is a new “passivity rule”. If the a wrestler is being passive and not trying to improve his/her position, a warning will be implemented then a 30 second clock. If the wrestler does not score or improve their position in the 30 seconds, their opponent is given a point. If there is no scoring in a period, the referee will determine a “passive” wrestler and will give them 30 seconds to score. If they don’t, their opponent gets the point.
Among other rules that will be implemented:
- Cumulative score for the entire bout
- The structure of the match is now two three-minute periods
- A takedown is worth two points, making it more valuable than a point for the pushout or a penalty point.
- There is a difference in what a technical fall will be. In freestyle, it will be a difference of 10 points.
The rules will be implemented immediately, with the World Championships in Budapest this coming weekend.
Newly elected FILA president Nenad Lalovic of Serbia also stated his commitment to increase inclusion of women not only on the mat, but as a part of the FILA congress itself. Under the new constitution, at least one of the vice-presidents will be female. The newly formed FILA Bureau will also have three female members.
No word on what exact female weight classes were added to the FILA.
Filed under: BJJ/Wrestling
