This is for the wrestling fans, and not necessarily the Rules Committee.
There are two ways to motivate people; either penalizing them, or incentivizing them. The Rules Committee prefers the former, and why we always find ourselves rolling our eyes and having continuous arguments.
If I could fix just one challenge the sport has, it’s those blasted out of bounds calls. I don’t have to mention the reasons why if I’m to keep this short.
So, how about a rule alteration that incorporates both; where I can be in sync, well, sort of with the Rules Committee?
Let’s make any takedown that occurs, with any portion of the defensive man’s body out of bounds, double points. A takedown is 6-points, and if back points occur at the same time, those are doubled as well.
Now, don’t stop reading to say, “I don’t like it!”
Think before you speak; and then imagine what will happen?
Out of bounds calls would all but disappear along with those God forsaken challenge brick arguments.
It wouldn’t take athletes long to realize this rule would have the same effect as diving out of bounds to catch a pass on an aircraft carrier during a game of football.
Athletes aren’t stupid, and why they play the edge. It’s currently a major tool in their arsenal of strategies.
Not anymore with this rule suggestion.
Maybe its a crazy idea, but I bet I have you thinking!
Kind of creates similar dynamics to the Freestyle pushout rule. I wonder if an approach would develop to drive an opponent to the edge before initiating or completing a takedown.
How do we take the ability of referees to give a stalling point and decide a match AWAY from the official. And what options can we give to allow the wrestlers to decide the final results, instead of having the referee, the decision maker ?