2019 CHALLENGE PROCEDURES
Written by Tim J. Pierson, VP USWOA
1. The challenge is an action where the Coach is allowed, on behalf of the wrestler, to request that a situation be re-evaluated when he/she disagrees with a call.
2. Each wrestler is entitled to one (1) challenge per bout.
a. The coach requests a challenge by throwing the challenge block onto the mat generally within a 5 second timeframe after the referee team has awarded or failed to award point for the contested situation.
b. The “5-seconds timeframe” to request a challenge is not fixed and is generally considered from the time the questioned score (no score) appears on the official scoreboard.
c. The Coach requesting the challenge must do so from his/her corner. The Coach is not authorized to carry the challenge brick across the mat to the Chairman’s table unless directly requested by the Chairman.
d. If the Chairman is unsure of the nature of the challenge, he/she may request to speak directly with the coach in order to understand what is being challenged. “Coach, what are you challenging?” “I am challenging ________.” is the proper exchange between the Coach and Chairman, The Coach then returns to his/her corner. Situational discussions or debates between the Coach and the Chairman are not allowed.
e. Requesting a challenge (throwing the challenge block onto the mat) DOES NOT automatically stop the action. Only the Chairman can stop the bout (at the appropriate time) in order to review the challenge.
f. If a Coach intentionally hits a referee with the challenge block, he/she will be awarded an immediate Red-Card.
3. If the wrestler disagrees with the Coach's decision to challenge, ONLY the wrestler can reject the challenge directly. The challenge block will then be returned to the Coach, and the bout will continue.
4. If the Coach, changes his/her mind and directly requests to withdraw the challenge, the challenge block will be returned to the Coach and he/she will be awarded an immediate Yellow Card for disrupting the bout.
5. In cases of a major technical problem that prevents video review of the contested action, (the action goes out of camera view or the camera does not record the contested situation) the referee team’s initial decision will be enforced and the Coach will keep his challenge block.
6. No challenges will be accepted as a result of Passive Wrestling or in the event of a confirmed fall. However, a Coach may request to challenge for an illegal action that lead to a fall or time had run out before the fall.
7. No challenge can be requested after the end of the regular time of a period, except when the points are added to the scoreboard after the referee’s whistle or when the disputed action occurred just before time was over.
8. The Chairman cannot refuse a challenge on his/her own prerogative. Only the Jury can refuse a Challenge.
9. The Jury will consist of 1 or 2 independent referees and the Mat Chairman. The Mat Chairman is part of the video review process but the Jury member(s) will make the deciding vote.
10. If after reviewing the challenge the Jury:
a. Modifies the decision of the refereeing team in favor of the wrestler who requested the challenge, the challenge block will be returned and the challenge can be used again during the bout.
b. Confirms the decision of the referee team, the wrestler who requested the challenge, loses the right to challenge during the remainder of the bout, the challenge block will remain with the Chairman, and his opponent will receive one (1) technical point.
c. Additionally, if the Jury modifies the decision of the referee team and the outcome is worse than the original call, the wrestler who requested the challenge, loses the right to challenge during the remainder of the bout, the challenge block will remain with the Chairman, and his opponent will receive one (1) technical point. Example: R2 is confirmed by the referee team. Blue challenges. The Jury’s decision if R4. Blue will lose the challenge and Red will be awarded one point.
11. Jury members are the only officials that can add time back on the clock. There are only two situations in which this can occur and both situations must be challenged and the score must change.
a. Slip Throw.
b. Offensive Foul.
12. After the Jury has reviewed the contested action and consult with the Chairman, the Jury will render its decision. The Jury’s decision is final.
13. A Coach is not allowed to request a “counter challenge” once a final decision has been made. If a coach initiates a counter-challenge, the counter-challenge will be rejected, and the Coach will be given an immediate Yellow-Card.
