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COMPETITION RULES |
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INDEX:
Rule 01 - Membership
Rule 02 - Sanctioned Events
Rule 03 - Designated Area
Rule 04 - Own Risk
Rule 05 - Registration Forms
Rule 06 - Event Structure
Rule 07 - Number of Pullers
Rule 08 - Line Up
Rule 09 - Rope
Rule 10 - Distance of Pull
Rule 11 - Position on the Rope
Rule 12 - Start Procedure
Rule 13 - Good Start
Rule 14 - Standup Pulls
Rule 15 - Misdemeanors
Rule 16 - Timekeeping
Rule 17 - Boots
Rule 18 - Uniforms
Rule 19 - Weigh-in
Rule 20 - Coaching
Rule 21 - Protests
1. MEMBERSHIP:
Each
team must submit its Team Roster along with annual membership fees for each
member before participating in competitive events for that year.
Teams outside the Ontario Tug of War Association may register to participate at
an event and may be required to pay a set fee to the Association prior to the
event, with the understanding that any Traveling Trophy which they may win, must
stay with the Association. No funds, trophies etc. will be given to a Member
until dues are paid in full. League teams that do not return the event trophy
will be penalized the prize $ of the day, and subsequent events until trophy is
returned.
Where
possible, presentation of awards be made after each weight class is completed.
Each
sponsoring organization must submit in writing their plans to host a Tug of War
Competition. The coordinator will prepare a schedule to be presented to the
Association at their annual meeting in April.
A
sanctioned event is one which is designated a "sanctioned event" by
OTOWA, where are League teams are invited and will be reimbursed. Members will
vote on which events will be sanctioned for the coming season.
Teams
must attend 70% of all sanctioned events to qualify their point standings for
year end awards. Concessions are made for attending Oceanic, World Championships
and World Police & Fire Games. Teams will be awarded points based on the
TWIF system.
3. DESIGNATED AREA:
The Competition Area shall be located on a flat piece of ground, of either
packed earth, or mowed sod. The area should be approximately one hundred (100)
feet by two hundred (200) feet (or metric equivalent) and for the protection of
the spectators, should be roped off.
It will be the responsibility of the Competition Officials to ensure that
the designated Competition Area for the event is clear of all debris, etc.,
which might constitute a danger of injuries to the pullers.
4. OWN RISK:
It is understood that all pullers, management, and officials participate at events at their own risk. Reputable FIRST AID must be provided however, by the organization sponsoring the event.
Tug of War Registration Forms where required, must be completed and signed as stated, by the pullers, coach, manager and trainer prior to an event. The manager will be responsible for ensuring that the form is completed properly and submitted to the co-coordinator along with any registration fee required for that event.
6. EVENT STRUCTURE:
Sanctioned events shall be run using the Round Robin Structure.
The maximum number of pullers to a team shall be twelve (12) in the
Catchweight only. A Coach or Trainer can be designated as one of the (12)
pullers. In the weight divisions, teams are allowed (8) pullers plus (2)
substitutes. All 10 are weighed up and must meet the aggregate weight. Free
substitution is allowed. In the event of an injury, a team can pull with 7
pullers, but no less than 7 pullers. The opposing team can drop a puller as a
gesture of sportsmanship, at their option.
For a team to represent a club for the purposes of receiving points, it must
have at least 6 pullers from that team. Up to 4 subs can be added in the CWT
division, but 4 of those 6 must be on the rope at any given time. Any team
make-up with less than 6 pullers can complete, but no points will be awarded. A
full team of 8 or more must compete as a team, and can't mix and match with
other teams.
8. LINE UP:
The number of pullers in each match shall consist of eight (8) per team. Teams must field a full line up or forfeit the pull for that round. The other four (4) pullers may be interchanged in the line up during the competition.
9. ROPE:
The official competition rope shall be manilla, not less than 110 feet or greater than 150 feet in length, 1 3/4" to 2" in diameter (or metric equivalent). NO NYLON OR SIMILAR TYPE ROPE IS PERMITTED. (For the weight divisions, a TWIF style rope not less than 110 feet shall be used.
10. DISTANCE OF PULL:
The distance of the pull shall be twelve (12) feet (or metric equivalent), on either side of the center of the rope.
11. POSITION ON THE ROPE:
Pullers may position themselves on either side of the rope. The Lead Man
must grip the rope back of the blue marker.
Catchweight only: The Anchor may encircle the rope around his body, but
any knot tied in the rope must not be tied any further than six (6) inches (or
metric equivalent) in front of his grip, and must be untied immediately after
that pull. The anchor will grip the rope with both hands in a normal fashion.
Weight Divisions re Anchor: The rope shall pass alongside the body,
diagonally across the back and under the opposite shoulder from rear to front.
The remaining rope shall pass under the armpit in a backward and outward
direction and the slack shall run free. The puller second to the anchor must not
lean on that knot.
12. THE START PROCEDURE:
The STATIONARY START will be used at all events in all divisions. When
the judge has received a signal from the two coaches that all is
ready, he shall give the teams the following verbal and visual commands:
a) "Pick up the rope" The rope shall then be
gripped as defined below, the feet being flat on the ground Every pulling member
shall hold the rope with both bare hands by the ordinary grip, i.e. the palms of
both hands facing up, and the rope shall pass between the body and the upper
part of the arm. Any other hold which prevents the free movement of the rope is
a Lock and is an infringement of the Rules.
b) "Take the Strain" Sufficient strain being put on the rope to
ensure that it is taut. In outdoor competitions each man may establish one
foothold with the heel or side of the boot with the extended foot. The judge
shall then signal the rope to the centre position. When the rope is steady with
the centre mark over the centre line on the ground:
c) "Steady" After a reasonable pause
d) "Pull"
13. GOOD START:
A good start means to get ready when asked by the
referee by taking the strain at the same time as the other team. Failure to
cooperate for a good start may result in disqualification of the offending team
for that pull.
Similarly, when teams are called to the rope by the
referee, no unreasonable delay will be permitted. Such a delay shall constitute
a disqualification of the offending team for that pull.
In both of the above cases, the victory shall go to
the opposite team by default.
Each match consist of (2) pulls. A reasonable rest is
granted between pulls. A win is awarded in the following:
1. One of the side makers clearly crosses the center line marker.
2. The opposing team fouls out (receives a 3rd caution).
14. STAND UP PULLS:
Only the feet shall be used for traction. Deliberately or continuously
resting any other portion of the body on the ground without showing a convincing
effort to get up, or grabbing the turf with the hand for extra traction, is
reason for disqualification for that pull only. (WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED).
When any team member fails to comply with the "Stand Up"
rule, the official will announce "First Caution" against that team. If
the offence occurs a second time for the same team, the official will announce
"Second Caution" against the team. Any further offence will result in
the official blowing his whistle, and immediately ending that pull. The
offending team will thus be disqualified and the win will go to the other team.
A puller may push himself up with one (1) hand only to regain his footing.
An Anchorman may not rest (pegging) one (1) hand on the ground for balance in
any other division except CWT. Grasping the turf for extra traction is not
allowed.
15. MISDEMEANORS:
HAND-OVER-HAND feeding of the rope to retain a good traction spot shall
not be allowed and will result in a caution being called. Steady pressure must
be maintained on the rope at all times. The following cases may result in a
caution or loss of the pull, at
the discretion of the official:
a) RELEASE AND REPULL (stepping forward or hand feeding
of the rope by a team when on strain causing the opposing team to fall down, and
immediately pulling that team forward) shall not be allowed.
b) Any WHIPPING ACTION of the rope designed to
throw off the opposing team.
c) SIDE-STEPPING by a team to throw the opposing
team off balance shall not be allowed.
Teams that persist with any of the above activities described in a), b)
& c), after being cautioned by the officials, will be disqualified from that
competition.
EXCESSIVE
GOUGING of HOLES by any team to obtain traction, shall not be permitted.
NO PULL will be declared in the event of:
a) both teams being guilty of infringements; after
twice being cautioned
b) both teams being guilty of inactivity
c) both teams leaving go of the rope before the finish
of the pull.
d) a pull being interrupted without the infringement by either of the teams.
In
the case of an injury serious enough to stop the pull, the injured team must
restart without substitution (with 7
pullers) and the injured puller may not re-enter this competition. In case a),
b), and c), no rest period will be granted. In d) a reasonable rest period will
be granted.
16. TIME KEEPING:
There shall be no time limit for a pull. At sanctioned events, a Time Keeper shall record the time of each pull using an official stopwatch.
17. BOOTS:
Boots may be of genuine or synthetic leather. The soles may be of genuine
or synthetic leather or "Vibrum" material. If the latter is used, any
protruding lug produced by the manufacturer must not exceed 1/4 inch (or metric
equivalent) in length. The heels of the boots may have:
a) a full metal plate affixed to the bottom so long as
it does not exceed 1/4 inch (or metric equivalent) in thickness and that it not
extend beyond the outer edge of the manufactured heel.
b) a partial metal plate that is flush on the side and
bottom of
the heel. Any such plate must be attached in such a manner that the bottom be
smooth (i.e. no screws or nails shall protrude.) (WILL BE STRICTLY
ENFORCED).
18. UNIFORM (OPTIONAL):
Sweat suits, jackets, t-shirts, pants and shorts used for uniforms may be
numbered on front left side. Numbers are to be not less than 4" x 1/2"
or the metric equivalent and must be clearly visible when wearing the t-shirt
or jacket.
Protective clothing may be worn under the sport clothing subject to the
judge's approval. The anchor's protective clothing (vest) may be worn inside or
outside the sport clothing. No hooks, grooves or other constructions intended to
lock or restrict the free running of the rope in any direction, is
prohibited. The max. thickness of the vest is 5 cm or 2". Protective belts
must be worn over the sport clothing.
Resin is allowed for outdoor competition, indoors: by authorization
only.
19. WEIGHING IN:
20. COACHING:
Each team may have one Coach. Coaching is restricted to the team's side of
the center marker. One trainer for each team is also allowed. The trainer's
function is to take care of his team before and after pulls. He is not allowed
to speak to his team while they are pulling and must take up position as
directed by the official in charge of the match.
No sound amplifier shall be used by a coach, trainer or any other
member of a team, to direct the team. During competition pulls, the only persons
permitted inside the roped areas shall be the officials, the two competing teams
for that pull, and their respective coaches and trainers. All other team members
and
teams shall remain outside the competition area. Photographers will be allowed
at the discretion of the Competition Judge, but must keep clear of the teams.
21. PROTESTS:
In the event that a team brings forth a protest on any matter, the only
spokesmen for that team shall be the Coach or the designate Coach (established
at the time of the draw). All communications shall be in private between the
latter and the Referee. The Referee will confer in private with the other
officials before making his decision on the protest. In all cases, the Referee's
decision will be final. No appeals will be allowed.
May 17, 2001