INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel recently approved making all takedowns in wrestling worth three points, effective with the 2023-24 season.
Members of the Wrestling Rules Committee, which proposed the change, agreed that increasing the scoring for takedowns by an additional point will enhance the sport by rewarding offensive actions and risk-taking.
The committee also agreed there was a need to create a more appropriate point differential between takedowns and escapes and incentivize offense when competitors are in the neutral position.
Eliminating the hand-touch takedown also was approved by the panel.