Wrestling Rule 4–1–4 Modification

SFIA works with organizations and manufacturers to improve team sports rules

The SFIA has worked with the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee to create an interpretation of Rule 4–1–4 that meets the needs of both the Federation, athletes and the equipment industry.

Rule 4–1–4 in the NFHS Wrestling Rule Book currently reads:

“Effective July 1, 2022, any manufacturer’s logo/trademark/reference that appears on the wrestling ear guards, including legal hair covering, can be no more than 2 ¼ square inches with no dimension more than 2 ¼ inches and may appear no more than once on ear guards. No additional manufacturer’s logo/trademark/reference, promotional or advocacy references shall be allowed on the wrestling ear guards.”

SFIA and manufacturers worked together with the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee to define this editorial change as:

By July 1, 2022 wrestling ear guards may have one logo on each individual ear cups. One logo, trademark or reference on each ear cups. Logos or identifications may not appear on the straps or any other location. Logos on the ear cups need to be in the appropriate 2 ¼ square inch size. Concerning special circumstances, like commemorative (Breast Cancer Awareness) or memorial products, they will have to be approved by the respective state athletic/activities associations in advance. Stickers will not be allowed on the headgear. This is not a restriction to the manufacturing process, but to address stickers identified as inappropriate (i.e. stripper pole, tick marks for number of pins, college logos, famous or infamous sayings).

There was no ruling on the small percentage of chin straps that have embossed logos applied as these are mostly provided by third parties. If the logos on chin straps become larger and more intrusive, they will be addressed at a future date.

Please contact Elliot Hopkins, ehopkins@nfhs.org, at the NFHS or Gregg Hartley, hartleyassociated@icloud.com, at SFIA if you need further information.