Wrestling Minimum Weight Certification Program Information

The UIL does not advocate that a wrestler’s established minimum weight is the athlete’s best weight at which to wrestle, but simply the minimum weight at which the athlete will be allowed to compete.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations Wrestling Rule Book, rule 1-5-1: Each state association shall develop and utilize a weight-management program that includes a specific gravity not to exceed 1.025; a body fat assessment no lower than seven percent for males/12 percent for females; and a monitored weekly weight loss plan not to exceed 1.5 percent a week.

For varsity wrestlers, minimum weight class for competition will be determined by predicted body weight at 7% body fat for males and 12% body fat for females. For sub varsity wrestling participants, the previous weight control program will remain in effect. A 2% variance will be applied to each students Minimum Wrestling Weight as calculated by the TrackWrestling system.

There will be monitored weight loss on the descent. A maximum weight loss of 1.5% of a wrestler’s alpha body weight per week has been established. A wrestler who loses more than 1.5% of their alpha body weight in a week is ineligible to compete in the weight class to which they are descending. Weekly recording of actual competition weight is required in Trackwrestling to measure compliance with the above rule. Wrestlers must have a Trackwrestling weigh-in for ALL competitions, two-day tournaments require only the initial day weigh-in.

ALL UIL WRESTLING SCHOOLS WILL BE REQUIRED TO UTILIZE THE OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE CALCULATOR FOR THIS PROGRAM.

A varsity wrestler will not be allowed to wrestle at their established minimum weight until the date specified in TrackWrestling.

Each school will be mailed a school code and school password for the Optimal Performance Calculator at the beginning of the school year.

Wrestling coaches must bring a copy of the Alpha Master Report form for their team to each contest, meet or tournament and must file a copy with their District Executive Committee Chairperson. Coaches should also print and keep a copy of this form on file in his/her office. It is recommended that each wrestlers Individual Weight Loss Plan be available as well.

How the certification program will work-

Hydration testing and skin fold measuring may begin no earlier than October 1st.

All varsity wrestlers, including those coming out late, must have their minimum weight established by hydration assessment and skin fold measuring prior to any competition with a student from another school.

The deadline for all skin fold measuring and minimum weight certification, including appeals, is two weeks prior to the district certification deadline.

Trained assessors will sponsor regional assessment opportunities for varsity wrestlers. Assessments of varsity wrestlers will primarily occur at regional assessment clinics. Dates, times and locations will be posted on the UIL website if available. Schools will be responsible for transporting their athletes to the regional assessment site at the designated time.

Should a varsity wrestler not be able to attend their designated assessment location, they can contact another regional assessment site and request to be assessed at that site. Otherwise, it will be the school’s responsibility to contact a designated regional representative in their area to arrange for skin fold measurement of varsity wrestler(s) at their school. For school based assessments, payment should be made directly to the certified assessor.  A list of regional sites will be available on the UIL website at www.uiltexas.org/wrestling/regional-sites.

If the assessment is taking place on a school campus, the school must have available at the time of the hydration testing and skin fold measuring: 1) a certified scale, 2) Weight Certification Forms (www.uiltexas.org/wrestling/forms), 3) the necessary school officials (e.g., coach, trainer, teacher, A.D., or other health professional) and materials (including clear specimen cups) to assist with registration, the hydration assessment process, obtaining the weight of each wrestler and with the recording of the data. It is recommended that an adult person of the same gender of the athlete being assessed be present when assessment is conducted.

In all cases, the school is responsible for all charges for skin fold measuring. At this time, the fees are set at $5 per athlete. All payments for assessments must be made in cash at the time of the assessment. Athletes will not be assessed until payment has been made. For regional assessments, regional assessment sites may request all schools to pre-register their students for assessment. Schools whose students do not pre-register may be charged an additional fee for on site registration.

Weight Certification forms should be prepared prior to test date for all athletes to be assessed that day. All information for the wrestler will be entered on both the top and bottom of the Weight Certification Form. Upon completion of the assessment the assessor will retain the top half of the form, the school and or coach will retain the bottom half of the Weight Certification Form.

For the weight certification process, all athletes (male and female) shall wear a wrestling singlet or two-piece uniform (in accordance with NFHS Rule 4-1). Student athletes appearing for certification that are not wearing the appropriate attire will be refused assessment.

Whether at a regional assessment site or a school location, the following procedure will apply. Students should sign in at a designated area and obtain their Weight Certification Form.

1. Hydration Assessment.

The Hydration Test is simply a pass/fail assessment based on the specific gravity level less than or equal to 1.025. A specific gravity level greater than 1.025 would be considered a failure on the hydration test.

Hydration level will be judged using a color chart. If schools or assessors wish to provide dipsticks or a Urine Specific Gravity Refractometer and related materials for hydration testing, that would also be acceptable.

Any attempt to violate the protocols of the weight certification process, by adulterating a sample or attempting to cheat, will result in the assessment process being ended, and the student not being eligible for reassessment for 24 hours, at which time they would begin the process from the start.

If the athlete fails the hydration assessment, the athlete will not be eligible for reassessment for 24 hours and must meet the hydration requirement before the skinfold measurement takes place.

If the athlete passes the Hydration assessment, they must have their Alpha Weight determined immediately, on that date, without any exercise or delays.

2. Alpha Weight Determination.

Next, the athlete is weighed on a certified scale and this weight is recorded on the athletes Weight Certification Form, and is the students Alpha Weight for the year.

The alpha weight established at this initial assessment will be the weight utilized in determining the descent calendar per the 1.5% per week rule.

For the weight certification process, all athletes (male and female) shall wear a wrestling singlet. Student athletes appearing for certification and not wearing a wrestling singlet will be refused assessment.

It is recommended that an adult of the same gender as the participant be present when weigh ins are done for wrestlers. No weight allowance is given for clothing or other items worn for the alpha weigh in.

3. Skin Fold Measurement.

Once a wrestler has passed the Hydration Assessment and established their Alpha Weight, they must undergo skin fold measurement immediately, on that date, without any exercise or delays.

For the weight certification process, all athletes (male and female) shall wear a wrestling singlet. Student athletes appearing for certification and not wearing a wrestling singlet will be refused assessment.

Females must also wear a halter, sports bra or other appropriate undergarment allowing the assessor access to the measurement sites (subscapular). It is recommended that a female be present when skin fold measurement is conducted for females.

All skin fold measurements shall be made on bare skin. Skin fold measurements shall not be taken over or through the singlet or clothing the wrestler is wearing.

If the assessment occurs at a school location, the school should provide individuals to assist the skin fold measurer with recording of data for the participants.

The assessor should take three measurements at each designated area and each measurement should be recorded on the applicable section of the Weight Certification Form.

Skin Fold Measurement Sites

Males:
ABDOMINAL
TRICEPS
SUBSCAPULAR

Females:
TRICEPS
SUBSCAPULAR

All skin fold measurements should be made on the right side of the body.

4. Minimum Weight Class Certification.

The lowest weight class at which a wrestler may compete will be determined by predicted body weight at 7% body fat (males) and 12 % body fat (females) as follows. A 2% variance will be applied to each students Minimum Wrestling Weight as calculated by the TrackWrestling system.

If the predicted weight, at 7% male/12% female, including the 2% variance, is exactly that of one of the weight classes, that weight class shall be the wrestler’s minimum weight class.

If the predicted weight, at 7% male/12% female, including the 2% variance, falls between two weight classes, the higher weight class shall be the wrestler’s minimum weight class.

For any male or female wrestler whose body fat percentage at the time of measurement is at or below 7% male/12% female, their minimum weight class will be determined by their alpha weight (weight at the time of assessment) including the 2% variance.

5. Monitored Descent.

There will be monitored weight loss on the descent. Based on NFHS rule, a maximum weight loss of 1.5% of a wrestler’s alpha body weight per week has been established.

Example: Alpha weight = 150 pounds
1.5% of 150 pounds = 2.25 pounds

Maximum allowed weight loss per week = 2.25 pounds

A wrestler who loses more than 1.5% of their alpha body weight in a week is ineligible to compete in the weight class to which they are descending. Weekly recording of actual competition weight is required in Trackwrestling to measure compliance with the above rule. Wrestlers must have a Trackwrestling weigh-in for ALL competitions, two-day tournaments require only the initial day weigh-in.

6. Appeals

A school may appeal the results of the body fat assessment one time per wrestler.

The appeal must be requested and submitted in writing (via email) to the UIL Office within seven (7) calendar days of the initial skinfold assessment date. Schools may not wrestle the wrestler that is appealing below the minimum weight class based on the initial assessment until the results of the appeal are determined.

If a wrestler’s body fat assessment results are being appealed, the wrestler may wrestle in any interscholastic competition based on the preliminary assessment until the appeal results are determined.

A maximum weight loss of 1.5% of a wrestlerís alpha body weight per week has been established, and will be enforced between the initial assessment and any appeal assessment.

Any costs associated with the appeal are to be paid by the school or the wrestler depending on the policy of the local school district.

Any appeal assessment must be conducted within 21 days of the initial assessment being conducted.

The coach or wrestler must present the UIL acknowledgement of appeal to the certified assessor performing the appeal before any appeal assessment can be conducted.

The wrestler and school must accept the results of the second assessment.

The person that is conducting that assessment will forward the results of the appeal/second assessment to the UIL Office and will notify the school of the result through TrackWrestling.

No other appeals will be considered.