Before competition, wrestlers go through a grooming and skin check at weigh-ins. Officials check that fingernails are short, hair and facial hair meet the rules (or are covered as allowed), no jewellery is worn, and the skin is free of communicable conditions, or that the wrestler has a valid medical form.
What officials check
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Fingernails | Trimmed short and smooth |
| Hair | Within length rules or covered with an approved hair cover |
| Facial hair | Neatly trimmed or covered, per the code |
| Skin | No open lesions or contagious conditions without clearance |
| Jewellery | Removed |
| Medical forms | Physician clearance for questionable skin conditions |
How to prepare
- Trim nails the day before.
- Shower after every practice.
- Report skin issues early to your athletic trainer.
- Bring any required medical clearance forms.
- Arrive on time for weigh-ins.
Rules reference: NFHS Wrestling Rules Book (US high school), NCAA Wrestling Rules (US college) and United World Wrestling rules (freestyle and Greco-Roman). Scoring values differ between these codes.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if a wrestler fails a skin check?
They may not compete until cleared by an appropriate medical professional, per the rules.
Are there hair length rules?
Rules vary by code; long hair usually must be covered with an approved hair cover.
Why are skin checks important?
They stop skin infections spreading between wrestlers.
