As part of Love Parks Week – 24th July to 2nd August we are inviting you to a Tug O War taster session in Forest Drive Park from 7.30pm on Tuesday 28th July.
Anyone welcome to come along and learn about this wonderful sport. Long time coach and pulling expert Bill Meston will be on hand to share an overview of what is involved, techniques and objectives and hopefully show some willing participants that it’s more than just pulling a rope.
As one of the worlds oldest sports, Tug O War dates back over 4000 years and has ancient roots in Egypt, Greece, India and China where it was often used as a training exercise for warriors. More recently it was featured as a medal event in the Summer Olympic games from 1900 to 1920. Today the sport is featured in The World Games.
Professional and international competitions are regulated by the Tug Of War International Federation (TWIF) with rules dictating specific safety and conduct guidelines :-
Team Size – Typically 8 athletes
Weight Classes – Competitors are weighed individually or as a total team weight to ensure fair match ups.
Grip & Stance – Pullers must pull underarm (hands cannot be placed in front of the shoulders) and must keep their elbows above their knees.
The Anchor – The final person on the rope – and the only player allowed to tie or secure the rope to their body, and use their weight and posture to anchor the team.
Technique and Team Dynamics – To win a match teams need more than brute strength. Teamwork, Rhythm and co-ordinated posture, balance and alignment to work as one.
The pull itself consists of three main phases;
1. the drop
2. the hold
3. the drive
The team are trained to use their combined body weight, leaning back into a low ‘C’ shape to engage both front and back muscles simultaneously, with their feet anchoring their weight into the ground.
If this sounds like something you would be keen to try out or learn more about, please come along. Kinneff Tug O War Club train on Monday nights at 7.30pm at Forest Drive Park.