NAL Rules and Regulations

1. The minimum age required for competing at all National Championships is 16 years old. Parents must be present to sign permission or have submitted a notarized letter of release.
2. NAL Championships will be double elimination competition, with the exception of the NAL Super Match Championships.
3. NAL Championships will use a minimum of 2 referees per table, with the exception of the NAL Super Match Championships, a minimum of 3 referees per table.
4. NAL Championships may be right and left hand, masters, and amateur when available.
5. NAL Championships will allow 60 seconds total for competitors to arrive at table and attempting to grip (30 seconds to arrive, 30 seconds to grip). Competitors will receive call number one, and then call number two thirty seconds later. Failure to be at the table gripping up within time limit will result in a loss.
6. NAL Championships will run on several table, with the exception of the NAL Super Match Championships, than one table only.
7. Each weight class will be run until the last four competitors, 2 winners - 2 losers, then finals run for all classes.
8. Each weight class that starts on a given day will end on the same day, unless approved by NAL.
9. No contestant will be matched twice against the same person until the finals 1st-4th. NAL Super match Championship not included.
10. No weight allowance will be given.
11. All competitors must weigh in order to compete during designated registration times only.
12. Competitors may only participate in one class per arm, unless authorized by NAL official.
13. Competitors may only wear NAL approved apparel unless authorized at referee discretion.
14. Competitors may wear wedding rings on their competing hand, at the referee's discretion.
15. Referee's decision will be final at all times.
16. No referee will be allowed to officiate a weight class involving a member of his/her family or team, if another referee is available.
17. Once a referee is on a table, he/she may not be replaced for any match.
18. Chalk is permitted.
19. Straps will be used if slip of grip occurs within the "neutral zone" of the table. Neutral zone is determined by using a clock as a guideline - inside 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock is neutral area.
20. Platform shoes only may be used for height compensation in stand up NAL Super match Championships, platforms may be use in non-NAL super matches, but may not be provided.
21. Sportsmanship will prevail, failure to comply will result in a foul or immediate termination from contest.
22. Any individual(s) attempting to alter weight by not following proper weigh in conduct/procedure will be disqualified from the event.

RULES FOR COMPETITION

1.  Competitors are allowed one minute total to arrive at get grip at the table. Competitors will receive call number one, then call number two thirty seconds later. Failure to report will result in loss.
2. Free hand must be in contact with the peg at all times, unless authorize by referee.
3. Competing elbow must be placed on the elbow pad at all times.
4. Thumb knuckles must be showing on competing hands before start of match.
5. Referee must be able to pass closed fist between biceps and forearm of competitor before start of match.
6. Competing wrists must be straight before start of match.
7. Gripped hands must be in center of table, in line with pegs.
8. A period of 30 seconds will be allowed to grip properly.
9. Referee's grip must be administered after 30 second time period has lapsed (gripping).
10. No movement will be allowed with elbow, wrist, or hand during or immediately following administration of referee's grip, “unless advised from referee” to start the match. Thumb knuckle must be visible, 1st movement or covering of the thumb knuckle is a warning (during the closing your own hand), fouls will follow after a warning.
11. Referee grip will be administered such as,
    1. Competitor #1 & #2 set your elbow (hands and webbing of thumb must be center of table).
    2. Competitor #1 & #2 set palm to palm (referee shall have hands on back of each hand and will insure the webbing are level and hands are centered, referee will move elbows if needed)
    3. Competitor #1 close your thumb, #2 close your thumb, #1 close your hand, #2 close your hand (referee shall have hands on the back of each wrest during this setting)
12. Audible signal given by referee shall be "DON’T MOVE…..GO”
13. Competitors may not use any part of the body to pin their opponent.
14. Competitors may not intentionally slip grips. (example: closing the hand making a fist under your opponents hand or opening your hand creating the slip)
15. Straps will be used if slip of grip occurs within the "neutral zone" of the table. Neutral zone is determined by using a clock as a guideline - inside 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock is neutral area. Outside of neutral zone may be determined as a loss depending on hand/arm position.
16. Straps will be used for all remaining matches in a one on one format after the first slip occurs!
17. Competitors may not intentionally attempt to cause a foul for themselves after the "go", i.e. picking up elbow.
18. Competitors may not intentionally attempt to cause a foul for their opponent, i.e. shoving of elbow.
19. No coincidental foulsl
20. During the NAL Super match Championship the head referee shall over ride a decision call based on the replay and discussion with the video & down side referees.

ALL COMPETITORS MUST RECEIVE ANY COMBINATION OF TWO FOULS IN ORDER TO LOSE A MATCH UNLESS THE COMPETITOR IS IN THE LOSING POSITION. ONLY ONE FOUL WILL CONSTITUTE A LOSS IF COMPETITOR IS IN THE LOSING POSITION.

1. Failure to maintain contact of the peg at all times after a warning.
2. Failure to keep competing elbow on the elbow pad during the match.
3. Failure to straighten wrists after 30 second time lapse.
4. Failure to line up in center of table after 30 second time lapse.
5. Movement of Elbow, Wrist, or Hand during or immediately following administration of "referee grip"
6. Intentionally causing a delay in competition.
7. Use of any part of the body to pin opponent.
8. Intentionally slipping grips.
9. Slipping grip when their arm and hand are in the losing position. Losing position is determined when the arm is below two-thirds of the way to the pin pad and hand is not in an offensive grip.
10. Intentionally attempting and/or creating or causing any foul after the "go".
11. False starts will result in a foul on second and/or third offense. First offense is a warning.
12. Shoulder crossing over the center of table
13. Failure to use only chalk while in the competition area or at the table.