Back in April, the NCAA proposed a list of rules changes for the 2017-18 wrestling season. In that proposal were rules pertaining to weight management, competition headgear usage, facial hair, video review, and the awarding of takedowns aka scramble rules.

Recently, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel voted on the proposed rules and came to the conclusion as to which would be implemented during next season. It looks like the panel put a lot of focus on weight management and the punishment for violating this new rule set. In its official announcement, the rules committee states that "the weight management rules were established to protect the health and safety of the participants in the sport." 

The punishment for violating the weight management process are as follows:

First offense: "Requires a wrestler to miss eight consecutive competitions"

Second offense: Sit out for a year

Wrestlers found to be in violation also would be required to recertify their weight at some point during the suspension period. Examples of violations covered under this rule include urine manipulation during weight assessments; use of rubber suits, saunas, diuretics, or intravenous rehydration; and skin check forgery or deception.

Left out of the new rules is the usage of a headgear, which was initailly proposed as an option in April. 

Below are the rest of the results from the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel. The information below is courtesy of the NCAA announcement.

Weight allowance

The panel also approved a rule pertinent to weight allowance: When back-to-back dual meet competitions occur, all competitors will receive a one-pound weight allowance on the second day of competition.

Facial hair

Wrestlers will be allowed to have facial hair of up to a half-inch in length -- as long as the skin of the wrestler is visible so that a proper medical examination can be performed. If the medical professional rules the beard is too long or thick and a medical examination cannot be performed, the wrestler will be required to immediately trim the facial hair to within the guidelines.

A wrestler with facial hair exceeding a half-inch that successfully clears medical exams can compete using a nonabrasive facial covering or a face mask.
Previously, wrestlers were not allowed to compete with facial hair unless they filed for a waiver.

Third-party video review

The panel approved an optional rule to allow a third-party registered official to be hired to conduct video reviews on coaches' challenges in dual meets and tournaments.

Other rules changes:

• When in the neutral position, the referee will verbally announce a danger signal to wrestlers who expose their shoulders to the mat at any angle less than 90 degrees. The verbal announcement will be followed by an audible three-count. If the referee reaches the third count and the wrestler is still in the danger zone, the opposing wrestler is awarded a takedown.

• Wrestlers will be limited to a maximum of six matches per day.

• The February 15 deadline for a wrestler to reach his lowest allowable weight class was eliminated. The NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee believes, since all student-athletes must adhere to the 1.5 percent weight-loss guidelines, there is no sound rationale for maintaining the arbitrary February 15 deadline.

• Wrestlers will be allowed to certify at their weight classifications until the first date of competition. Even though the certification timeline is being extended, the 1.5 percent weight-loss descent requirement would remain unchanged.

• Coaches will indicate the intent to use a video review by throwing a red or green foam brick into the competition circle.