MT-USAW STANDING RULES		Updated through May 9, 2021  Amended and Approved May 2, 1998

A.	AWARDS

1)	Team Scoring
a.	At least two individuals, who are not from the same club, will tally the points for team trophies.
1.	Scorers will be provided with a copy of the current criteria for determining winners (i.e. a copy of the awards standing rules).
2.	Scorers will be given a designated area in which to total scoring sheets. No scoring shall take place until the age division is completed for State tournaments.
3.	Wrestlers can only compete for team trophies with the team that they are registered with. Independently registered wrestlers must compete individually.
b.	Ten-man team lists (including three alternates, if available) must be submitted one hour after first match begins.
1.	Alternates to the ten-man team list will be called up in the order that they are listed on the sheet.
c.	Small, medium and large team trophies will be figured as total scoring of all wrestlers who have three or more wrestlers on their bracket.
1.	If there is a tie between two or more teams on total team scoring, then the winner will be determined based on the number of 1st place winners for each respective team (the team with the greater number of 1st place winners will be declared the winner); if a tie still exists, then the number of 2nd place winners for each respective (the team with the greater number of 2nd place winners will be declared the winner); and, this method will continue through the placings until a winner is declared.
2.	Team trophies based on the following number of wrestlers.

Greco	Freestyle	Folkstyle	
Small 1-15	1-15 Small	1-15 Small	
Large 16+	16-30 Medium	16-30 Medium	
	31+ Large	31* Large	

3.	MT USAW will adopt the AAU guidelines for small, medium and larg team to maintain consistency with the triple crown series in the State of Montana.
Small Team 1-15 Wrestlers Medium Team 16-30 Wrestlers Large Team 31+ Wrestlers
d.	The universal traveling trophy will be awarded as per the criteria on the ten-man team pick sheet.
a.	
1.	Tie breakers will be addressed through the alternate wrestlers, sequentially from alternate wrestler #1, #2, and #3. If a tie still exists, then the criteria and method set forth in section 1-A-3- a. shall be utilized.
e.	Three alternates will be listed and used in the order listed only when:
1.	One of the ten-man team selections has fewer than three wrestlers in the weight class.
2.	One of the ten-man team selections is injured and out of the tournament in the first two rounds.
f.	The 10 man pick team scoring sheets will use an age and weight class pick instead of individual names.
g.	Team trophies shall be handled in the same manner as protests. Any change will be handled within 30 minutes. No appeal or protest can be made at a later time.
h.	The tournament director will appoint a person to be responsible for scoring team sheets at state championship tournaments. The sheets will be scored at the conclusion of the tournament.
i.	The team leader is responsible to submit a roster to announcer which includes the club's name (not town), accurate weight, and age groups. Team rosters will include exact competitors. Participants will be listed in order ascending from pee wee through open divisions. A team roster must be submitted one hour after the first match begins on the first tournament day, and any wrestler inaccurately listed will not be counted.
j.	The host club will present a copy of team sheets and their scores to each club participating in the tournament.
k.	In order to participate in team trophy competition at tournaments, clubs must be MT-USAW sanctioned clubs in good standing.
l.	Traveling trophies: MT-USAW will purchase and present a Traveling trophy for the winner of the MT-USAW Association 10 man team championships. There are now two traveling trophies, one for Greco and one for Freestyle.
m.	Tournament and event hosts may withhold team and individual awards until fees are paid.
n.	MT-USAW, in order to provide a unique and consistent championship medal, will supply (for cost) an appropriately labeled medal to the State Greco and Freestyle host clubs. Host clubs pays up to
$5.00 per medal for state championships regardless of actual cost.
o.	At all State Greco, Freestyle and Folkstyle tournaments, if there are only two wrestlers in their weight group they are to wrestle the best two out of three matches in a round robin.
p.	Clubs who fail to provide the required number of officials {per standing rules} for said tournament would be eliminated from the team trophy race.
q.	Upon payment of the “no official fine” clubs will be eligible for the team trophy.
r.	MT-USAW will support a Triple Crown Award based on the following criteria.
1.	A wrestler must place first at all MT-USAW state tournaments (Freestyle, Folkstyle and Greco.)
2.	A wrestler does not have to wrestle at the same weight at each tournament.
3.	MT-USAW will budget $500 toward this award.	Any amount over budget would be split
1.	
evenly by the hosting clubs.
4.	A girl who wrestles in a girls bracket in any MT-USAW state tournament must then wrestle in a girls bracket for each of the 3 MT-USAW state tournaments to qualify for a girls Triple Crown Award, unless there are not enough girls to make a bracket (i.e., 2 or more) at a state tournament and the girl wrestles in the boys bracket at that tournament.
5.	At the AAU state folkstyle tournament, the head coach of the club representing the girl must make a request for a girl’s card to the tournament director.
6.	The Triple Crown Team tie-breaker will be the same criteria used for Team scoring under Awards section A.1).c.1.

B.	Gordon Smith and Angie Buckley Excellence in Wrestling Award

MT-USAW will host the Gordon Smith Luncheon banquet on Saturday of the annual convention. During this banquet, the MT-USAW Gordon Smith Excellence in Wrestling Award (male) and MT-USAW Angie Buckley Excellence in Wrestling Award (female) will be presented. There will be a standard plaque which will be purchased by MT-USAW. Plaque will include name of wrestler, year and date.

Nominations - A standard form will be used for nominating which will include a list of criteria. Wrestling and academics and citizenship will be considered with an emphasis on wrestling with academics and citizenship as secondary. Nominations deadline will be March 1st. The committee's nominees will be named at a State USA meeting to allow time to order plaques and notify recipients.

The nomination committee will consist of three (3) individuals, including a chairperson, and will cover the following geographic areas: 1.) upper half of Montana, 2.) lower half of Montana, 3.) Western Montana.

Criteria for nomination: A nominee must be: a senior in high school, a USAW cardholder for two
(2) years during high school, Nominee must include letters of reference.

A committee will guide the host club in setting up preparations. There will be three honorees. The honorees and their parents will be the guests of MT-USAW.

C.	OUT OF STATE COMPETITION

1)	Cultural Exchange
a.	All requests for MT-USAW cultural exchange trips must be presented to the cultural exchange chairperson and presented by the chairperson to the MT-USAW Executive Board and/or general body. The presentation must include the estimated cost per wrestler.
b.	To be eligible to participate in the MT-USAW cultural exchange trip, a wrestler must wrestle in the qualifying tournament. The wrestlers will be selected according to their placing as follows:
1.	1st place in Juniors age division
2.	2nd place in Juniors age division
3.	3rd place in Juniors age division
4.	1st place in Cadets age division
5.	2nd place in Cadets age division
6.	3rd place in Cadets age division
7.	Someone who is willing to go who has attended a past exchange trip.
8.	Coaches discretion
c.	Wrestlers who wish to be involved in cultural exchange must have participated in previous MT- USAW tournaments.
d.	The executive board, at the recommendation of cultural exchange director, having been presented with the site, dates and other pertinent information, will determine if a qualifying tournament is necessary for cultural exchange. If a qualifying tournament is necessary, the executive board will determine which tournament that qualifier will be. There is no need for a qualifier if the exchange is "club to club."
e.	A wrestler must place in the top three of the weight class at the MTUSAW qualifier.
f.	To qualify for funding for cultural exchange a wrestler must attend the MT USAW state Freestyle/Greco tournament plus two other freestyle tournaments.

2)	National/Regional Teams
a.	To receive any MT-USAW compensation toward team expenses, it will be mandatory for wrestlers to have wrestled in two (2) MT-USAW sanctioned tournaments prior to the state freestyle tournaments. An athlete may petition under the petition criteria.
1.	For Kids: To receive compensation you must wrestle at the MTUSAW qualifier, another MTUSAW sanctioned tournament, and the MTUSAW state tournament.
2.	For Cadets and Juniors:	To receive compensation you must wrestle at the MTUSAW qualifier, another MTUSAW sanctioned tournament and the MTUSAW state tournament.
3.	MTUSAW State Freestyle and Greco will be the cadet and junior national qualifier. Qualifying wrestler will receive up to $400 each from the Fargo team budget. The remainder of funds will be placed in the general fund for the Fargo trip. The Fargo head coach will submit a financial report to MTUSAW for all team expenses.
4.	Funds for Fargo cannot be used to support wrestlers from other states.

3)	Bids for Cadet and Junior national camps
a.	To bid to host the Cadet and Junior national camp the bidding club must be sanctioned with Mt- USAW by February 1st of each year. These bids must be mailed to the club president in a sealed envelope one month prior to the MT-USAW Association championships. These bids will be opened by the executive board and the clubs will be notified in time to get the information to wrestlers at the MT-USAW Association championships.
b.	Bids for the Cadet and Junior National Camp must include projection as to the number of coaches to be provided by the sponsor, and a projection of the amount of money to be paid to those coaches.
c.	The following deadline was set for bids for camps: April 1st.
d.	Those awarded the MT Cadet/Junior national camp must provide for a line item accountability report
a.	
to be submitted to USA, including receipts and bank statements of accounts used from its opening to closing dates, and to use our tax ID number by our next meeting.
e.	Qualifications for Cadet and Junior national teams.
1.	Cadet:	Each cadet team is allowed a maximum of 39 kids with a maximum of four (4) wrestlers per weight class. There are thirteen (13) weight classes.
2.	Juniors: Each junior national team is allowed a maximum 36 wrestlers with a maximum of for (4) wrestlers per weight class. There are twelve (12) weight classes.
f.	Requirements to qualify for the Montana Cadet and Junior National teams are as follows.
1.	A wrestler must place in the top three (3) of the weight class at the MT-USAW association championships.
2.	A wrestler may challenge for the 4th spot on the team. A wrestler must have competed at the MT-USAW association championships and participated at the camp to challenge for this position, or submit a valid Montana USAW petition form by or at said association championship.
3.	Any MT-USAW wrestler petitioning for a release from MT in order to wrestle for another state at a national tournament must petition in writing. The petition will be granted providing the wrestler understands that MT state funds will not be available to when wrestling for another state.
4.	Any Montana athlete that had placed in the top three in any USAW sanctioned Regional automatically make the Cadet/Junior team for Fargo at any weight class without costing Montana a position from the top 3 qualifiers at state plus the 4th position if necessary to wrestle off at Fargo camp.

4)	Athlete Aid
a.	Athlete Aid is for MT-USAW cardholders who competed at the MT-USAW association championships and traveled out of state to USAW sanctioned regional or national tournaments and the Tour of America tournaments. Athlete Aid will not apply to participation at: Kids at Western Regionals (Cadets can apply for participation at Western Regionals), Cadet or Junior National/Fargo or Junior Duals (these events already receive MT-USAW funding). Requests for Athlete Aid must be received from MT-USAW Chartered Clubs by December 1st. Aid will be refunded back to Clubs by MT-USAW. No wrestler will receive athlete aid in excess of $100 per year. A wrestler missing the MT-USAW association Championship due to participation in another USAW sanctioned regional or national event may petition to the MT-USAW President for Athlete Aid.
b.	To be eligible for open and espoir athlete aid, a wrestler must be a previous Mt-USA Wrestler, a Montana High School Graduate, and must have attended a national, world, or regional USAW tournament. Wrestlers must send a complete list of tournaments attended between May and April to their current MT-USAW sanctioned club. Clubs must forward these applications for aid to the MT-USAW treasurer by April 30th.
c.	If a wrestler qualifies under out of state compensation B #1-b, their camp fees will be adjusted (discounted) based on the number of qualified wrestlers and the overall expenses of the event.

5)	USAW School Boy National Dual Team
a.	The Montana USAW state Freestyle and Greco tournaments will serve as the qualifiers for the School Boy National Freestyle and Greco Duels.
b.	Montana USAW will pay the $500.00 registration fee for both styles.

D.	LAW AND LEGISLATION

1)	Standing rules shall be domain of the law and legislation committee. The committee shall word proposed changes in clear and concise language.	Changes shall be made to these rules with a simple majority vote of the attending members.
2)	MT-USAW will maintain a minimum balance of $3,000.00 in the general fund.
3)	Replaced by D.24.
4)	Convention registration will be the responsibility of the host club in cooperation with the MT-
USAW executive board. When the executive board meeting begins, it will be the responsibility of the host club to provide personnel to take late registration.
5)	If it is deemed necessary (at the president's discretion), a mid-year meeting will be held.
6)	The use of tobacco of any kind is prohibited on the wrestling floor and surrounding areas.
7)	All scales will be certified and there will be an observed weigh-in for any qualifying tournament. For any other tournament that allows satellite weigh-ins, clubs must assign a weigh-in master and assistants.	If it is found that weights were falsified, the weigh-in master and assistants will be brought before the MTUSAW disciplinary committee for penalties and sanctions. Butte-2014
8)	Certified EMTs or an ambulance will be on site at all times for any tournament.
If an EMT is not present at the tournament, the tournament director is responsible to provide an EMT or the tournament will not continue.
9)	To bid on the MT-USAW state Freestyle tournament, the club bidding must:
a.	Provide a facility with capacity to accommodate a minimum of six (6) full sized mats for Freestyle competition.
b.	Be a chartered club in good standing with the MT-USAW having hosted a sanctioned MT- USAW tournament in the previous year.
10)	Onsite registration must be allowed at all State Tournaments. The onsite registration fee will be an additional $5.00.
11)	Referring to Article X of the MT-USAW By-Laws, "Suspension, Expulsion & Grievances", a club who fails to pay its fines or tournament fees to the MT-USAW treasurer will not be allowed to:
a.	Charter a club with MT-USAW.
b.	Buy a USAW card through MT-USAW.
12)	Petitions must be filed on the official MT-USAW petition form and according to the specific instructions on the petition form.
13)	The officers who serve on the MT-USAW executive board must be from MT-USAW clubs who are in good standing.
14)	All clubs must settle outstanding debts to MT-USAW by the end of the annual governing board meeting. Clubs who are in arrears will be notified, by certified letter from the MT-USA president, thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting. If clubs do not remit payment, they will be suspended. Suspensions will include, but not be limited to:
a.	Removal of voting rights at all MT-USAW meetings and events.
b.	Denial of MT-USAW tournament and club sanctions.
c.	Denial of participation of coaches, officials or officers at any MT-USAW event.
d.	Notification will be sent to affected wrestlers and their families.
e.	Recommend to National USA to support suspensions at national/regional events.

15)	In order to insure consistency in NCEP clinics held in the state we must adhere to the following:
a.	Clinics must be coordinated with the state coach’s representative.
b.	Clinics must follow the NCEP guidelines.
c.	Failure to comply with a) and b) will result in loss of certification.
16)	Communicable skin disease.
a.	In order to combat any potential health problems from communicable skin diseases a skin check will be required at all MT-USAW sanctioned events. The following procedures will be used:
b.	A visual skin check will be performed by assigned tournament officials on every wrestler, prior to weigh-ins, if honorary weigh-ins, then before registration. Wrestler will be required to wear a singlet with straps down for the skin check. Appropriate undergarments will be required for female wrestlers.
17)	At the 2006 State Convention, Mt-USAW agreed to forego sanctioning a state USAW State Folkstyle tournament and attend the AAU Folkstyle State tournament. In exchange, the AAU wrestling organization agreed to forego sanctioning an AAU State Freestyle and Greco-Roman tournament, and attend the USAW State Freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments. This scheduling agreement was and is intended to, in part; generate more unity in the sport of wrestling in Montana and to generate more attendance of wrestlers at the State tournaments. It may be, however, that some of these standing rules may need to be adapted to accommodate this scheduling (for example, Triple Crown Award, coaching credentials, etc.). As such, it is agreed that the executive board is authorized to apply, adapt and	forego application of these standing rules only as is necessary to carry out the intent and spirit of the 2007 wrestling schedule (or future years as this scheduling agreement continues).
18)	NSF Checks: Writer will have 10 days upon notification to make a check good before $20.00 returned check fee will be assessed in addition to the check amount.
19)	Replaced with F.1.h.
20)	All MT-USAW bank statements (to include checking, savings and CD Account) will be sent to the Vice President and Treasurer, in duplicate. The Vice President shall review all banks statements for accuracy and accountability, and the Vice President shall report any questionable transactions to the President. The President shall then report to the Board for discussion and action, if required. All bank transactions shall require 2 authorized signatures. Authorizes signatures will include the Treasurer, Registration Chairperson and E-Board.
21)	MT USAW approved a liaison position to be added to the board. This position will be a permanent voting position. This position will help to set coaches curriculum, educate parent, athletes and coaches about the sport, oversee and advise to promote wrestling and organize the Regional Training Camps.
22)	MT USAW approved a marketing director position. This position will be a voting position.
23)	Remove dates and location in standing rules. The cause confusion and many rules don’t have them already.
24)	MT-USAW no longer pays for rooms or any costs for the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary or Registration Chairperson for the midyear or annual convention.
``E. OFFICIALS

1).	Officials at all USAW sanctioned tournaments, except state tournaments will be paid as follows:
a.	Nationally licensed - $50.00
b.	All others receive - $25.00
c.	MOA’s will be paid by the MHSA sub varsity fee schedule with per diem if any to be negotiated by the head official.
Sub Varsity Double Elimination	$98.75 (Long Day >6hrs) Sub Varsity Single Elimination	$61.25 (Short Day <6hrs)
d.	At invitational tournaments where head officials give a clinic, they will receive a $50.00 honorarium.
e.	The state mat official and the state pairings official or their designee will be in charge of their respective areas at all state tournaments.
f.	The head official will conduct a clinic with coaches and officials prior to a tournament setting guidelines of conduct and steps that will be taken if there is a conflict. This clinic information will be included on all tournament entry forms. It is recommended that Friday night clinics should be advertised and run when it is feasible and Friday night weigh-ins are taking place.
g.	Clinics must be given at all qualifying tournaments by the head official or a designated clinician as assigned by the state head official.	All officials must be evaluated and recommended for the next level of competition.
h.	The head mat official and the head pairing official must be nationally licensed and be eighteen years of age or older.
i.	In an effort to standardize officiating, state-wide, Mt-USAW encourages mat officials and pairers to participate in the clinic which is given following the M.H.S.A. State tournament in Billings West Auxiliary gym each year.
j.	All coaches/officials rules clinics are free of charge except for the clinic at the state tournaments. The clinic at the state tournament will have a premium charge of $10 cash per participant.

2)	MAT OFFICIALS
a.	All mat officials will be appropriately attired per the current national rules. Each official is to provide their own red and blue arm bands and whistle.
b.	Mat officials will receive their books at the beginning of the season from the divisional official or at the clinic held after the state high school tournament.
c.	All mat officials must attend a certified clinic prior to officiating at a state tournament.
d.	All adult officials, for the international styles of wrestling, shall be licensed by USWOA in addition to the MT-WOA. Adult officials for Folkstyle are required to have either an MOA license or USWOA license and the MT-WOA license is to count as an adult official.
e.	Mat officials shall be licensed by MOA or USWOA.
f.	A USAW high school wrestler will count as an adult official at MT-USAW invitational and state tournaments.
g.	The official’s shirts for the state tournament shall be provided such that the officials fund pays for 50% of the shirt and the official pays the remaining 50%.

3)	PAIRING OFFICIALS
a)		All official MT-USAW pairing license fees should be sent to the MT-USAW head pairing official by March 15th each year.
b)	The pairing account funds will be made available for the MT-USAW Head Pairing official or someone designated by him/her to attend a regional/national tournament. (i.e. whichever regional/national tournament works out best)
c)	Pairers will be licensed through the state for qualifying tournaments.
d)	Pairers are to be paid for tournaments at a rate of $20.00 per pairer and $10.00 per non- licensed pairer per day.	Head pairing master will receive $50.00 per day for state tournaments.	If a tournament has less than 200 participants, pairing fees are optional.
e)	A licensed pairing master must be running each tournament.

F)	REGISTRATION

1.	Fees approved
Club Charter $70 Additional Insurance $20 Tournament Sanction $25
Coaches Card $20 plus $30 every 2 years for a background check Limited Competitors Card: $15 (when available)
Full Membership: $40 High Performance: $100

a.	No club charters will be accepted after the State Freestyle Tournament.
b.	Tournament sanctions received fewer than thirty (30) days in advance will be assessed an additional $25 fee.
c.	Forms for MT-USAW cards must be sent to the association chairperson with the month, date, and year of birth (which must be checked at the club level) or the request for the card will be returned to the club.
d.	A birth certificate or driver’s license will be required to purchase a USAW competitors card. There will be no exceptions. A copy of the athletes birth certificate will be maintained and in the possession of each club.	A current USAW competitor’s card will be all that is required to wrestle at a MT-USAW sanctioned event.
e.	Both boys and girls brackets will be offered at all MT-USAW invitational and state tournaments (even if only one girl is registered for that bracket). However, it is noted that given the current bracketing offered by USAW at regional and national championship
a.	
tournaments (except for cadet and junior nationals), girls who are place winners in a girls
only bracket at Montana State Championship tournaments will not qualify for USAW regional and national championship tournaments. It is understood that in the event that there are insufficient numbers to fill the girl's bracketing, girls can and are encouraged to wrestle in the appropriate boy’s bracket.	It is also recommended that clubs across the state actively recruit and promote girls into their programs. If hosting a tournament, the hosting club must advise with advertisement of the tournament that the tournament will offer a girls bracket.
f.		A club hosting an invitational tournament may charge a $5.00 - $10.00 entry fee for wrestlers.
g.	All State tournaments (i.e. Greco, Freestyle and Folkstyle) will have a mandatory $15.00 wrestler entry fee with $5.00 mandatory assessment per wrestler to be paid to the MT- USAW general fund.	A $3.00 assessment fee will be paid to Montana AAU for each participant per style for the Montana State USAW Freestyle/Greco tournament. There will be an additional $20.00 fee for onsite registration.
h.	A $3.00 assessment, per wrestler, participating in all sanctioned tournaments will be paid to the MT-USAW treasurer within two weeks after said sanctioned tournament. A club hosting multiple tournaments/styles in the same weekend will pay this assessment based on only the one tournament with the most participants.
1.	Assessment payments which are not postmarked within the two week time period following a tournament will be fined an amount equal to 10% of the assessment due.
2.	All checks for tournament assessment fees are to be made payable to MT-USAW, and must me sent to the current MT-USAW treasurer. (Jason Weirs 2149 Durston
Rd Suite 34 Bozeman MT 59718) All tournament assessments must be paid within two weeks after the tournament
i.	Double bracketing will be allowed at invitational tournaments, if there are 3 or less wrestlers on a card.	Only one bracket will be allowed to score team points.

j.		Double bracketing is only allowed with each age division. A wrestler may not move up an age division unless he/she is a cadet who has attended classes in high school. If a wrestler chooses to double bracket the wait time for the next match is waived. Wrestler must pay both registration fees.
k.	Girls that choose to double bracket will only be charged one assessment fee.

l.	All wrestlers must provide a birth certificate to their affiliated club or the state registration chair with 10 days of purchasing his/her usaw card. Failure to do so will result in a wrestlers card being suspended until the proper documents have been provided.

m.	Each club with 10-25 wrestlers must provide one state licensed pairer and one table worker. Clubs with 26+ wrestlers must provide 2 pairers. Clubs that fail to provide pairers/table workers will be assessed a $25.00. fine.
a.	
n.	To compete in any MT USAW state event you must card and be a resident of MT.

o.	MT USAW will use line bracketing for Freestyle and Greco events.
p.	Any singlet is acceptable for a MT USAW event.
q.	If a wrestler registers early for a non-state tournament and 1 or fewer opponents are in the bracket and the wrestler does not attend the tournament, they can request reimbursement from the tournament director minus fees paid to trackwrestling.

r.		All tournament fliers must be approved by the Montana USAW board prior to being distributed to the Montana USAW body. This will ensure that the fliers/tournaments are in line with the MT USAW by-laws/Standing Rules.
s.	Clubs shall not purchase a USA wrestling card for their wrestlers without a copy of the wrestlers birth certificate. A club shall not allow wrestlers to practice without a current USAW card.
t.	A MT USAW club shall not hold a practice with a current club charter.
u.	If a wrestlers card is pending or their date of birth has not been verified two weeks after the first tournament they will not be allowed to register for a MT USAW sanctioned tournament until it is verified.

E.	TOURNAMENT CONDUCT

1)	Clubs will have a mat referee or referees, sixteen years old or older (according to the size of the team), at ALL tournaments.	Clubs failing to provide the referee or referees will be assessed a $50.00 fine, to be collected by the tournament director. This fine will be collected at the tournament if time allows, or at a later date if absolutely necessary. The fine will go to the host club. All adult officials must be nationally
Licensed. Officials must be from the club they represent to count for the number of officials to wrestler’s ratio.

# of wrestlers participating	# of Referees
16 years or older
Natl. licensed	# of Referees
14 years or older
16 for State	Total # Required	
10 - 25	1	0	1	
26 - 50	2	0	2	
51 - 75	2	1	3	
76 and over	2	2	4	

2)	Protests
a)	The protest committee shall consist of the head mat official, head pairer, tournament director or their appointed designee.
b)	The committee has the authority to disqualify a coach from competition. The decision of the committee is final.
c)	Copies of all protest forms and their dispositions will be sent to the Mt-USAW Head Pairer with a copy forwarded to the MT-USAW President.
d)	An unsigned bye sheet is not a reason for protest.

3)	Before the start of any sanctioned tournament, the tournament director will arrange a meeting to establish guidelines with the head pairer, head official and host club.

4)	Mat officials will not be responsible for cleaning up blood on the mats. It is the responsibility of the coach and/or the wrestler to clean up the blood on the mats! It is the responsibility of the host club of each tournament to provide the appropriate materials to clean up blood on the mats, i.e. appropriate receptacles, cleaning fluids, gloves, and paper towels at each table for each mat.

5)	Tournament information will include the time of the rules clinic for coaches/officials.

6)	There will be three mat officials on each mat at all qualifying tournament.

7)	All qualifying tournaments will be worked by state-licensed pairing officials.

8)	No tournament will be sanctioned unless there is a licensed pairing master (provided by host club) working the tournament.
9)	At all state tournaments, a wrestler will be allowed to change weight classes only if he or she is a single participant at that weight. He/she will be allowed to move only one weight class within the age group. If a Cadet wishes to wrestle as a junior, he/she must weigh-in as a Junior.

10)	MT-USAW will use single brackets for state tournaments and not A and B pools. This rule refers to the national A and B pool system.
a.	Vertical pairing will be utilized in Freestyle and Greco tournaments. Five or less wrestlers will run a Round Robin.

11)	For pairing reasons, wrestler check-ins is mandatory for all tournaments, even if the tournament is honorary weigh-in. Weekends where separate sanctioned tournament are held, only one weigh-in will be required. The Saturday hosting tournament director is responsible for providing the Sunday hosting tournament director the names and weights of all participants. This information is to be provided no later than 5 p.m. on Saturday. Honorary weigh-ins does not carry over to a second tournament where weigh-ins are required.
a.	For honor weigh-ins: A wrestler cannot go down a weight class from their last on-site
weigh-in without weighing in at the tournament.

12)	Each wrestling club bringing fifteen or more wrestlers must provide a licensed pairing master for the tournament. If a club fails to provide a pairing master, the club will be required to pay a $25.00 fine which will be deposited in the Montana Pairing Masters checking account.

13)	A $3.00 petition fee payable to MT-USAW will be assessed each wrestler petitioning a state tournament and this money will be deposited into the general fund.

14)	MT-USAW will be governed by the yellow/red card system as outlined in the National rule book. All tournament personnel are subject to the same disciplinary criteria as coaches.

Yellow Card – 30 minutes off of the floor Red Card – rest of tournament

a.	Upon receiving a red card in addition to losing the opportunity to coach the remainder of the tournament, the coach loses the privilege of coaching the next USAW event.
b.	Upon receiving a second red card the offending coach shall lose the privilege to coach any more USAW any more USAW tournaments for the remainder of the season. The coach’s USAW card is too be returned either to the Coaches Representative, or the State USAW Registration Chairperson.
c.	To ensure that the offending coach’s USAW card is returned to either the Coach’s Representative or the Registration Chair, the offending coaches club shall be levied a
$20.00 fine weekly until the card is turned in.
d.	At the time a Red Card is issued; an immediate appeal is set in motion which requires a meeting between parities including the tournament director, coach’s representative or head tournament official.
e.	If a coach receives a red card for flagrant misconduct and is removed from a tournament that coach will be subject to a disciplinary committee sanction. Suspension of his/her card for a set period of time.
1.	If a coach receives a red card at a Regional or National tournament he/she will be subject to a disciplinary committee. The committee is to be made up of the coach’s representative, the referee and pairings chair.
2.	After two yellow cards in a season or a red card, the receiving coach must officiate a tournament before they can return to coaching mat side.
f.	A yellow and/or red card can be retroactively issued after a tournament. Tournament officials will contact the Coaches Chair and the Referee Chair, which triggers a meeting with the two chairs and the MT-USAW chairman within 60 days.

15)	Upon receiving a red card at either a USAW or AAU tournament. The official issuing the Red Card will document time, date and tournament location. A form will be printed off by the Tournament Directors and placed on every mat table. This document will be signed by the official, the coach receiving either a yellow or red card, the head official and tournament director stating the offense. The form will state punishments for said offense.
Yellow Card: 20 minutes off the floor

Red Card; Upon receiving the red card the coach needs to turn in his coach’s band and leave the grounds of the tournament. The tournament director must give a copy to the coach and send the form to both the Coaches and Official representatives as well as the AAU Wrestling Chairman and the President of Montana USAW. The offending coach must turn in a copy of their coach’s card to the Coaches Representative. Said coach has one week to turn in his coach’s card or a fine of twenty-five dollars per week will be added. If offending coach refuses to leave the tournament the authorities shall be call and trespassing charges will be filed.

A written appeal must be received within one week of being issued the Red Card to even be considered. The process will occur as followed. The Coaches and Officials chairs will meet with the head of the chartered tournament and both MT USAW President and MT AAU wrestling chair. If the red card is upheld the following action will be put into place.
The offending coach must officiate either a sanctioned AAU or USAW tournament before being allowed to coach another tournament. This sanction will stay in place until the coach has officiated the tournament. If this takes place at the last tournament of the year then this sanction will remain in place during the next season until he or she officiates a tournament. If this happened at a nationally sanctioned tournament by either organization the same sanction will hold no coaching until he or she has officiated a Montana AAU or Montana USAW tournament.

Two Yellow cards in a season will be considered a Red Card.

If a coach receives two red cards in a season the offending coach will not be allowed to coach for a full calendar year (including in the club room) and will be required to attend a coaching class approved by the Coaching Chair. Upon completion of the approved class said coach must officiate a MT AAU or MT USAW tournament prior to receiving the ok to coach in any AAU or USAW event.

16)	In all MT-USAW championships, only Montana wrestlers will be allowed to compete. We do make an exception for Canadian Children to have the opportunity to compete in our state tournaments. If a Canadian wrestler places in the top eight, any Montana boys down the line move up one place in regards to regional qualification.

17)	At state championships, the head pairer will be responsible to provide the directors of national teams with a copy of each bracket sheet along with state championship results for cadet and junior divisions.

18)	All coaches holding a current USAW coaches card will be allowed on the floor of any MT-USAW sanctioned invitational tournament, but must obtain bronze, silver, or gold certification to be allowed on the floor of any MT-USAW state or national tournament. Payment for this clinic will
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be by either club check, cashier’s check or in cash.

19)	The instructor of a bronze level coach’s clinic shall be reimbursed, by MT-USAW, a minimum of
$100 and a maximum of $200 per clinic.
20)	Silver level certification: Reimbursement for silver and gold level certification must meet the following criteria:
a.	MT-USAW coach’s chair and MT-USAW president must approve a coach’s attendance to a nationally certified silver or gold level clinic at least two (2) months prior to the clinic.
b.	Signed documentation from national clinician.
c.	Instruction of a Montana bronze level clinic for at least fifteen (15) coaches.
21)	Coaches and officials must attend a qualified official’s rules clinic to coach at a state tournament. Anytime there is a Bronze Clinic offered at a tournament, the rules clinic will be held in the morning. 2007-Butte. High School coaches are exempt from having to attend the Folkstyle rules clinic when they provide proof of their HS certification.
22)	In all state and qualifying Folkstyle tournaments, the wrestler finishing the tournament in 3rd place may challenge the 2nd place finisher if the 3rd place and 2nd place finishers have not already wrestled in that tournament.
23)	All tournament directors shall ensure that adequate safety precautions and matting (including border mats or boundary lines sufficient for wrestler safety) are provided for at all tournaments for the physical safety of the wrestlers.
24)	Only tournaments bid for and approved at the MT-USAW annual state convention will be sanctioned by MT-USAW. No other USAW tournaments are allowed on any tournament dates which were approved at the state convention, and will not be sanctioned by the MT-USAW, unless prior approval is obtained from the MT-USAW executive board.
a.	To incentivize clubs hosting a tournament, MTUSAW will pay up to $500 should the hosting club show a financial loss. The club will need to apply for the financial assistance, show the loss incurred and the MTUSAW board will vote before providing this financial assistance.
25)	State Bids must be submitted by roll call for the first general session on Saturday morning at the annual meeting.
26)	At the completion of a match, the winning wrestlers coach will verify the score on the bout sheet and sign the wrestler’s name.
27)	In order for MT-USAW to continue protecting the date for the MT-Open wrestling tournament, MT-USAW is requesting that the hosting clubs donate $1 per wrestler that attends the tournament.
28)	All tournaments bid at the state convention must be sanctioned 30 days before the first tournament of the current season.
29)	Trackwrestling rank values will be used for all state tournaments.
30)	MT USAW State Freestyle and Greco may be run on the same day if the total number of wrestlers is less than 300.
31)	Clubs may use two wrestlers in the same age and weight class as scoring wrestlers on their ten- man sheet.
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32)	Team scoring at State AAU will be changed to use advancement and bonus points to align with the standard high school and college scoring system. This will determine the team scores for Small, Medium and Large team trophies. This will also be used for scoring of the 10 man trophy. The 10-7-5-3-2-1 system will no longer be used.
33)	10 man sheets will now be scored utilizing trackwrestling to score using advance placement points.
34)	MT USAW approved running a MT USAW board run 3 style state tournament.
35)	If a club hosts a tournament where they function and operate 8-10 full size mats they may charge a $15.00 registration fee; if they operate 11 or more full size mats, they may charge $30.00.
36)	Any grievance filed in writing or electronically to the state board shall be distributed to the board and must be responded to in writing by a certified letter within 30 days of being filed. Unless it is a safety concern it must be dealt with immediately.
37)	MT-USAW will use boys division weights for the girls division for all MT-USAW tournaments.
38)	Institute a sub committee to define the role of the MT-USAW marketing director. Said sub committee will appoint a marketing director.
39)	MT-USAW Youth and Middle School Folkstyle will be run from November to February, and end concurrent with the MHSA High School season. MT-USAW Freestyle and Greco will run from High School State in February to April/May. Tournament hosts may run three style tournaments during the Freestyle and Greco Season.
40)	The MT-USAW Executive Board will attempt to fill all open slots on the schedule.

Temporary Rules
1.) Due to the COVID pandemic and the loss of regular wrestling activities for over 1 year, regular election of officers will not take place at the 2021 annual convention. Instead, only election of vacant positions will be held.
2.) Pursuant to Article III – Committees, Subpart B., that the President appoint an ad hoc special committee to fully restate the USAW Rules. The objective of the special rules committee is solely to update rules that are outdated or obsolete. Revised rules will be distributed to all USAW members no later than 60 days before the 2021 mid-year meeting. The Law and Legislation Committee will meet at the mid-year meeting to discuss and vote on the restated rules. Committee members will be chosen by the USAW President and approved by the MT-USAW Executive Board.
3.) MT-USAW will propose to AAU that the Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco state tournaments will be ran cooperatively. By doing this we could grow our numbers of participants in Freestyle and Greco. Plus, this would incentivize these kids to participate in all three styles to win the triple crown. These cooperative tournaments would begin in 2023.