... on Understanding "Bad Time"
Bad Time: What is it and when is it?
I believe that many wrestling devotees are confused with the "Bad Time" rule. So let's take a look at it.
Here's the rulebook definition:
"Bad time is time wrestled with the wrestlers in the wrong position, the wrong wrestler being given the choice of position at the start of the third period, or choice of position not given after the second injury time-out.. It also involves time that occurs when a clock should have been stopped at the end of a period; or when wrestling has been allowed to continue following a violation when the match should have been stopped. Important note, errors requiring bad time to be wrestled must be corrected prior to the start of any subsequent period. Finally, any points, penalties, and injury time that occurred during bad time shall be voided. The acts that supersede bad time are flagrant misconduct, unsportsmanlike conduct, unnecessary roughness, illegal holds and bleeding time."
Now let's consider two "bad time" situations.
Situation One
In the second period, Wrestler A scores a reversal over his opponent right before they go out of bounds. Upon returning to the center of the mat, the referee mistakingly placed Wrestler A on the bottom. His opponent rode him out the rest of
the period.
Wrestler A's coach brings the problem to the official's attention at the end of the second period. What happens?
Solution: The referee would then determine how much bad time was used, put
Wrestler A on the top, and restart the match at that point.
What if the third period already started when Wrestler A's realizes the error and confronts the official?
Solution: No bad time would be rewrestled because the error was discovered after the third period started.
Situation Two
In the third period, Wrestler A was given the choice of position when Wrestler B
should have been given the choice. Wrestler A chose the top position and rode Wrestler B out the entire period. During that time, Wrestler A was penalized for locking hands and Wrestler B was penalized for unnecessary roughness.
Furthermore, Wrestler A had a bloody nose that took two minutes to check.
The referee discovers the error at the conclusion of the third period. What's the call?
Solution: To begin with, there would be a one-minute rest and then Wrestler B would be given the choice of position. As far as the points scored and bleeding during bad time, the match point for unnecessary roughness would stay, but the match point for the locked hands (a technical violation) would be wiped off. In reference to the nose bleed, the blood time utilized would count.
As you can surmise, no official wants to be placed in this predicament. Unfortunately, we have all faced bad time circumstances. It usually surfaces late during the afternoon sessions of tournaments, when even the best referees become fatigued.
We are all human beings, subject to error at times.