DJ's Tug of War

This page provides general tug of war information. Most of this information is taken from the USATOWA's rulebook. A copy of the rulebook can be obtained by calling 1-800-TUG-O-WAR or by emailing us. We hope that this information will be beneficial to you whether you plan on starting a team, pulling, organizing an event, or just for general knowledge.

Tug-of-War General Information
Get to know tug of war

For thousands of years men have enjoyed contesting each other's strenth according to the simple principles adopted for the sport of tug of war.

In ancient Egypt, teams of three men, holding each other around the waist, wpuld try to pull the opposite team over a ground-marking. This practice, with or without the rope was carried over into many civilizations , often under ritual forms, such as Burma(Myanmar), Congo, Korea, India, Indonesia, Hawaii, New Guinea and New Zealand.

Tug of war in ancient Greece was practiced both as a competition and as a physical exercise in order to train for other sports. At the courts of the Chinese emporers, around 1200 A.D., teams specifically trained for tug of war competed against each other in tournaments. In the XVth century, tug of war tournaments were frequently held in Scandanvia and later in the remainder of Western Europe.

Tug of war became an organized sport at the end of the XIXth century when clubs were formed. When Baron Pierre de Coubertin revived the Olympic Games, tug of war was featured on the programme of the Paris Olmpic Games in 1900. International rules became necessary. They still exist today having undergone very slight modifications. After the 1920 Games, the International Olympic Committee trimmed the competition programme and tug of war's participation was cancelled. As tug of war was no longer on the Olympic Programme, national athletic and gymnastic associations were not very interested in tug of war as a discipline. The tug of war teams, at that time, felt that they had to establish their own autonomous association. The first association was founded in Sweden in 1933. Other countries followed including Great Britain in 1958 and the Netherlands in 1959.

Tug of war is primarily a team sport. Teams consist of eight athletes. They are categorized according to the total weight of the team. There are six male divisions and two female divisions.as well as a male youth division for the ages of 15-18. The female competition was first organized at the World Championships in 1986.

History of USATOWA

The United States Amateur Tug of War Association was formed in 1978. Its members are located primarily in the upper Midwest. The USATOWA sent its first team to compete in the World Championships in 1978. Since then, the U.S. has been represented at every World Championships. The European Championships are held on the off year of the World Championships and the Oceanic Championships are held the same year as the Europeans.

A contest between two teams is won by the team which pulls the opponent four meters forward. This is indicated by the marker on the rope passing the center line on the ground. A team can also win the contest when the opposing team has been disqualified by the judge. due to infringements of the rules. The rules are basic. The puller is only allowed to hold the rope with bare hands and no other part than the feet. The juge will give a warning to the infringing team; after three warnings, the team is disqualified. In a tug of war competition, a team wins the match by winning two pulls. In case of a draw after two pulls, a third pull will determine the winner of the match.

The skill of the athlete is the ability to use the musculature of the body as a biomechanic lever in order to produce maximum tractive power while moving backwards with the rope. At top levels, the sport of tug of war demands an uncommon physical stamina and strength, requiring a perfect knowledge of the body and its potential.

There are divisions for both men and women in tug of war. Tug of war is primarily practiced as an outdoor sport. However, the indoor discipline has gained in popularity over the past ten years. This is particularly true in Asian countries.

To those who maintain a belief in the principles of sportsmanship and who wish to develop both mind and body together with team spirit, the sport of tug of war offers a perfect opportunity.
The sport is very well suited to beginers and intercollegiate athletes due to:
-the low cost of equipment, training facilities and coaching staff
-the offering of competition for men, women, youth and co-ed
-the very low risk of serious injury
-its excitment as a spectator sport

It is quite likely that the sport of tug of war will one day be included again in the Olympic Games. If the United States is to compete effectively, it is essential that we begin now to develop the individuals and teams capable of competing at an international level.

The goal of the USATOWA is to help you and your member institutions to initiate and develop the sport to its fullest on as many collegiate and high school campuses as possible and to assist in the staging of competitions of the highest caliber.